MOT - bmw or local garage?

[mic1]

for a service i understand a BMW is better but for an mot what would you recommend? if they both look for the same thing does it make a difference or does it just look better on paper if its by bmw?

mic

[dobbie82]

Makes no difference in my opinion, a MOT testing station that doesnt do repairs is less likely to "invent" work that needs doing, but an e30 specialist would know common problems with the e30 and would probably be more thourough.

At the end of the day you only want your car to pass if it deserves to, so take it to BMW as they can't charge more than 44.15 can they?

As for what it looks like on paper, its a standard VOSA printout wherever you go now

[boybimmerm3]

BMW dealers will book it in and organise the mot for you but most dealers don,t do mot's on site. They are usually farmed out to a local mot station anyway so makes no difference really. They may charge you more at a dealer too. The only advantages of going to a dealer is that they can do a pre- mot check if you want, will charge you though i am sure, also if the mot station know a dealer has sent the car down they may be less harsh on it as the dealer will know if they are being unreasonably hard on the car.

[Sanchez]

DONT GO TO SHIT FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sanchez]

sorry for anyone that works there but ive always had problems.

[nickso]

i always find it best to subtly mention that i do all my own work on the car when taking it for its mot......just so the guy knows if he is inventing stuff for a fail he isnt going to get any money out of me

[NH325CAB]

Mine went in yesterday to a local one.... failed unfortunately but only on a tyre, chipped screen, faulty valve on windscreen washer, misaligned headlight and excessive play on front suspension... Pretty pleased really.. shouldn't be more than £200!!

And that was a local garage (not used them before) but they liked the car so will prob go back for other jobs like the 6 branch and bbtb!

[fuzzy]

dont think it matters to much for the actual mot as the costs set.some garages are much stricter than others wether theyre main dealers or not.get some recomendations from those around you and choose for yourself although id never get any repairs done by the main dealer as their prices would be around £60+ per hour i personally go to local 'back street' garage that knows me but do most of any repairs myself.

[iDreamBeemer]

Best trick for the MOT is to take it to local Bus depot or something, they have to do public MOTs but as they are not a garage they have no interest in trying to get work. You turn up (well you might need to book!), they do MOT and give you results. Contact you local council for their test centres.

Then if you need to get something sorted you can DIY or take to your friendly garage blokey (or blokette)

MOT is only a limited test and a car passing this may have some other faults which can be potentially dangerous which is why I always combine it with a full service (at least until I have some clue as to what I'm doing and then it'll be me doing to work!)