I should have known better. Long story short. My insurance was up and kwik fit had the best deal. It also came with a free MOT. My MOT was due on 7 June but as I had a day off today I booked it in or my free MOT (one month early and all that). Confidently, (it's only 5 yrs old and I have recently serviced it) I dropped it off this morning thinking it would fly through. It almost did. The fcukers failed it on a low tread tyre. They thought they were on to one expecting me to buy a pair from them at their rip off prices. Fortunately, I had my NS-2Rs sat in the garage so for the cost of fitting it now has a fresh ticket. The tyres are on a bit sooner that I had planned but hey ho. They also binned my worn tyre without asking me. My fail sheet said my car was "DANGEROUS". First time I've seen that. Last time I checked a month or so ago they were on about 3mm. Rears too. Fronts were about 6mm as I'd rotated them. My usual garage only charges £25 for an MOT. They know me and my cars and usually let me fix my cars after and re-test for free. Kwik fit wanted £17.50 for a re-test had I not let them change the tyres (not that I have the kit to anyway). Moral of the story. If it's free and it's at Kwik Fit, it probably won't be. Could have been worse. Oh, I didn't realise that if you took it early and it failed, your MOT ticket is deemed as void even if it still has 30 days on it.
I had mine done last week, Advisory on lower arm bushes being fucked and had a couple of bulb issues but we sorted it out. Friendly MOT man
mine failed for dangerous obstruction of drivers view. Translation? Had an air freshener hanging from the rear view. Hat was Renault Sutton park stourbridge.
Had my Lotus fail on number plate spacing (nothing silly, just slightly out two letters) at Halfords. They had a new manager in and so the MoT guy was having to do everything by the book. Right PITA although getting some new plates and sticking them on wasn't too bad. MoT testers have licences a bit like driving licences and if they get caught out after an inspection they get points on their licences. I guess I can sort of see why they might sometimes be a bit 'sharp' on MoTs. In contrast, the local indy MoT place barely seemed to look at my SAAB. 'Sneaking' through MoTs is alway going to be less likely with big band names chains. Although it does sound a bit harsh on the OP here.
Funnily enough, I read the same information after the MOT tester told me my existing MOT would be void. In my veiw, if it has failed then something has deemed it to be un-roadworthy. So if you are stopped by the old bill, you are very likely to be prosecuted. I wouldn't chance it and I didn't.
I think the authority of being able to do mots and be an utter c**t goes to some people's heads. I mean failing for hanging airfresheners is rediculous. There's even an advisory to say you've removed items from the drivers view so why not do that!