Should I Get MOT Done At Audi?

[emzino]

My MOT expires TODAY along with my Road Tax (yea I know, it sucks!) and looking at the documents from the previous owner, he got the MOT done at Audi.

Now servicing is one thing because you get the 4ringed stamp which is good for resale value but MOT is another thing. Is it as important? Is it even good practice to get that done by the manufacturer?

One more question, do you get a courtesy car when giving the car in for MOT and Servicing at Audi?

Thank you

 

[JohnS3]

I've had my 8L S3 in for MOT with Audi, they didn't have an on site MOT facility, so took it to a local garage for the MOT. I did get a courtesy car and the car was washed too. IIRC it was a little more expensive than going direct to the garage.

 

[Twizzler]

Whilst I can't speak from experience of an MOT on my Audi I always took the 2 Citroens I owned previously to the main agent for MOT, even though they too didn't have test facilities. I think it's worth it for the reduction of the hassle factor. The obvious dialog that takes place between test station and Dealer can only be of benefit. As the two know each other well this works to your advantage.

 

[madvw]

I always take mine to Audi for an MOT. Usually costs something like £45.

They have their own MOT station and you can sit and drink tea whilst watching through a big glass window.

I only really go as I can have a prod about new stock, or if i'm lucky they have an Le Man R10 or something I can drool over.

 

[marms]

I'd say shop around as the price of MOT's can vary wildly.

After all, and MOT is an MOT. You don't get a better MOT because you take it to a franchised dealer.

I kind of agree with the comment about the relationship between the MOT testing station and the dealer but that could also work the other way. What if the MOT tester has an arrangement to get more work from the dealer?

Incidentally my local Audi dealer currently has an offer on MOT's for any make/model - £37.

 

[steveg9]

Nationwide Autocentres offer (i) discounted (£40 ish instead of £50 ish) on production of Tesco Club Card plus (ii) Tesco points on same

An MOT is an MOT in my view. Unless Mr Audi Dealer has an arrangement for re-test etc. which helps if you think it's going to fail

 

[kettle]

i will be taking mine to audi onyl because my mate works there!

discount

 

[jamiekip]

don't audi do MOT's free for cars outside of warranty?
Worth asking???

 

[JohnS3]

don't audi do MOT's free for cars outside of warranty?
Worth asking???

Who told you that? Nice idea though !!

 

[Amchlolor]

I'd say shop around as the price of MOT's can vary wildly.

Since when?
The MOT test should always be the same price.
Anyone charging more than the set price should be reported.

http://www.ukmot.com/mot fees.asp

Note it says these fees are the maximum, which is £50.35.
I suppose people have the right to charge LESS, but I can't see it "varying wildly".
I don't know many people who'd shop around to save a tenner, for example.
Anyway, would you trust someone discounting an MOT?
Stands to reason they will be trying to make the money up elsewhere.

 

[JamS3]

Loads of people round here charge different prices for a MOT, cheaper than the set price I may add!

My local Audi dealer does free MOT's for the life of the car and free retests so thats worth asking them! Got a little credit card thing throught the post with the info on and 10 or 15 percent off parts too. Worth asking!!

 

[Simon66]

Just had my MOT done £35. Audi should be no better, it is a standard test,there shouldnt be any difference.

 

[AndyMac]

except that if there is some work that needs doing to get it through, then you're screwed and basically have to let Audi do it at £90+ per hour plus 40% hike in parts. If you take it away, then you have the whole problem of driving a car with no MOT, and a retest fee once it's left the premises of the testing station. Personally I only ever give money to Audi when there's no other source.

 

[emzino]

Well just called Croydon, Bromley & Dulwich Audi and there all charging £50.35p.

I'm going to go with my local tuning garage TuningWerkes. My passenger left side seatbelt isn't retracting though so going to get that fixed before I send it in.
Of course the front of the car is still dented etc from when some chump hit it but I don't think it'll fail on that...

Well, wish me luck for Monday =)

Oh is it true I can drive around for a week with no MOT & Road Tax. It's like some leeway time to get it sorted...

 

[Amchlolor]

I'm with AndyMac.
It it needs an MOT, it's outwith warranty.
If it's outwith warranty, no need to go anywhere near a main dealer any more.
Go to an independent specialist who doesn't have a fancy showroom to pay for.

 

[Amchlolor]

Oh is it true I can drive around for a week with no MOT & Road Tax. It's like some leeway time to get it sorted...

No, urban myths.

EDIT, mind you....this is from the MOT website....

IF I HAVE NO TAX OR MOT CAN DRIVE MY CAR?

Any vehicle can be driven to and from a testing station for the purposes of having its MOT by appointment without tax and a MOT but must be INSURED, if there are any faults that are notified to you either on an advisory note or a VT30 failure certificate, then if you remove the vehicle from the garage to have the faults rectified and have accident then if the fault was a contributory factor then you could have a problem with your insurance :ie faulty tyres would be a good example

 

[emzino]

Hmmm well i'm going to put the car in drive and leave it there. Not taking any chances at all. Can't afford to face the concequences, scares me to think what will happen if I get stopped.

Police have got those onboard computers where it reads number plates on the fly & alerts them of any cars that have no Road Tax/MOT/Stolen etc.

 

[a3norwich]

All dealers will charge the maximum price allowed for an MoT (because they can), although generally, may not actually test the car themselves, but use a local garage. So, some nugget will drive your nice expensive car there and back like he's just stolen it...

I remember when I had a BMW, the local dealer wouldn't do MoTs, because as an MoT tester, they are required to test any make/model/age of car (ie not just the brand they sell) and decided it wasn't the image they wanted having all sorts of different cars in their workshops.

Personally, I would find the cheapest MoT tester, where you can watch them do it. Don't pay through the nose at a dealer - it makes no difference.

PS sure you get free MoTs for as long as you own the vehicle with new BMWs - think Audi might have a similar scheme, but not sure.

 

[JamS3]

except that if there is some work that needs doing to get it through, then you're screwed and basically have to let Audi do it at £90+ per hour plus 40% hike in parts. If you take it away, then you have the whole problem of driving a car with no MOT, and a retest fee once it's left the premises of the testing station. Personally I only ever give money to Audi when there's no other source.

The delaer does not have to do the work if you dont want them too, as long as you take the car say a week before the test has expired then you can go somewhere cheaper to get the work completed and then reattend Audi (as I'm sure if you go bsck within so many days the retest is free or a reduced rate).

Yes you are driving a car away with faults that would fail a MOT but you still have one if it has not expired yet.

Dont forget a blown rear light would fail a MOT so its OK from a point of law if you have a current MOT certificate.

My previous 8L S3 had a broken rear spring I did not know about and Audi found this on the MOT. I refused the work done by them, bought the part from e bay as I was selling the car anyway and my friend fit it. Then returned the car to Audi and they retested it and passed it for free!