I'll stick to my garage I use, never has he gave me any concern for over work, has twice not charged us for looking for faults that we thought we had and they are friendly to boot

and local

So its not just players and coaches who don't get a chance before they are HD&Q on here

The thing about this Garage it's not exactly local to Wakefield

Thanks for the comments everyone. I guess I'm just suspicious of what's in it for them if they pass it first time!

As someone said, it's hardly local. I have used the WMDC place at Newton Bar in the past - they don't do any work so no 'incentive' on them to find any problems.

Will have to give it some serious thought - were it local I would be more inclined to take a punt.

Yes, I've used Illingworth's for years, very reliable cheap place to go, never had a problem there.

that's the one we use

The tales related about Cross Lane Garage have struck a chord with me too
A few years ago I realised that my car needed an MOT it was a bank holiday and as my usual place was shut I found Cross Lane could do it that day So guess what, a fail and an estiimate of £600 !!!!!
I decided to scrap the car, however I thought Id get another check at my local usual place the next day. Still a fail but the total bill came to £145 including the MOT !!!
Yes it is down to the mechanics interpretation, or intent to find work
My garage ........Waldorf on Waldorf way big recommendation from me
Obviously they won't pass a car that needs to fail, and you shouldn't expect any garage to do so.

over 7 years 6 different motors between the 2 of us equating to around 11 mots altogether 3 fails all for minor defects and 2 brake shoes . get me car picked up dropped off and cash collected whenever i have it . and now to top it off my nephews pass his MOT testing thingumabobs and like my service i just need parts plus documents etc . the parts are at cost and exclusive of vat .

to say i do well is an understatement , if you ask me where it gets taken im not telling

before that we though we were safe with a local firm but found out we were not when clumsily calamity hands me fixed 1 problem they were going to charge over 200 for and then when my clutch pedal stuck fast they said it was a full unit and coasted me 170ish and then labour , this introduced us to who was then our new fella "akki" who just came and manhandled the pedal lose in 2 minutes with his tools and wanted nothing (gave him 20 for a good drink) .

its reassuring when you have that trust but its so gut wrenching when you think that your being fiddled and with mot what are you gonna do you have to have it unless you live in lupset .

I have worked in Wakefield for 23 years in the motor trade, there are some very good garages and some really bad ones tbh.
I would stick with the person you already have a relationship with as mutual trust is important, if you must change then Waldorf has a good rep DW Autos in Horbury is a mate of mine very good and one of you lot to boot, A+I near the Cedar court( not cheap thou) and in Ossett Ian Anderson is good.
Cant tell you who i work for though as you will come a beat me up

So you take it for its MOT and it passes now who pays the Ministry department the cut it wants out of the test and lets say 300 do that now thats a lot of wedge when times are hard for companys.

I'd presume the idea will be for them to build a new customer base. I'm not sure what else they do, services etc? They would be hoping for repeat customers when then next MOT is due.

They'll also get a sponsor spot for cheap with WTW

The last time i checked the MOT slot fee was about £2.05 so 300 test will only cost £600 ish plus the testers wage say £9 per test £2700 so a total layout of £3300.

work on an average return per test of £350 ( and thats doing legit tests ) £105,000 minus £3300
Turnover of about £101700 and a small garage should have an absorbsion of about 65% profit.

So 65% would leave around £65000 profit, good buisiness if you ask me