Booking Lorry MOTs ?

T

Toby_Zaphod

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 August 2005
Messages
9,301
Location
Midlands
Visit site
I used to remember the test dates & Excise Lic dates for my lorry but I sold it last year & bought another. I looked at paperwork last night & found that the MOT was up this month! I contacted the testing station that I normally use this morning & cannot get a date until June? :( I am able to bring the lorry there at any time so went on the waiting list for cancellations........ there are 26 on the waiting list so little chance of an appointment. I've managed to book in at a testing station 20 miles away but closest time is 8th May.

We had a testing station close a while ago fairly close to us so all their trade has had to find somewhere to go to. It appears they've all come to our local one. It seems that you need to book your lorry in now 2-3 months before it runs out to have any chance of getting it done in the month you want. I know it's my own fault but no appointments available for 7-8 weeks? :(

Those with Horseboxes check your MOTs & give yourself plenty of time to book a test. ;)
 
MOT or plating? WHen I had a 3.5 tonne I never had an issue. It can just go through the MOT at any place that can take a regular van!
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
7.5 ton Goods Vehicle Test
Click to expand...


We`re having the same problems with up to a 2 month wait. It`s a nightmare, the problem is cut backs meaning they`ve closed a number of LGV testing stations all over the country, they`ve shut 2 near us :/
 
I’m not sure if this is the right terminology, but when I had my lorry I was advised to take it to a private testing facility - costs a bit more but they don’t have the same kind of waitlist. The place I used had commercial fleets etc
 
Exactly - Google for ATF. Most fleet operators are now set up with them. And the testers are all Ministry bods, so no worry about getting a nice or nasty one. They're ALL nasty :)

Well, tough as old boots.
 
It’s been like this for the last few years.there are no vosa run centres left here so it’s all private but the government limit how many days they are allowed a tester for so they can’t just open more slots.
Last year I started in Feb to book for July. Had to go on a waiting list at three centres and ended up having to go to one 50 miles away , how crazy is that !
Bad enough when it’s your hobby but must be a nightmare if it’s a work vehicle
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
I used to remember the test dates & Excise Lic dates for my lorry but I sold it last year & bought another. I looked at paperwork last night & found that the MOT was up this month! I contacted the testing station that I normally use this morning & cannot get a date until June? :( I am able to bring the lorry there at any time so went on the waiting list for cancellations........ there are 26 on the waiting list so little chance of an appointment. I've managed to book in at a testing station 20 miles away but closest time is 8th May.

We had a testing station close a while ago fairly close to us so all their trade has had to find somewhere to go to. It appears they've all come to our local one. It seems that you need to book your lorry in now 2-3 months before it runs out to have any chance of getting it done in the month you want. I know it's my own fault but no appointments available for 7-8 weeks? :(

Those with Horseboxes check your MOTs & give yourself plenty of time to book a test. ;)
Click to expand...
I leave it to my mechanic to book mine in and then he collects it 2 weeks before to prepare it and then brings it back to me.
 
That's why I sold my HGV lorry and bought a 3.5 tonne. Most of the old VOSA test stations have closed, I ended up using Imperial in Birmingham but I had to book on Jan 4th for a test in May! All the test slots seem to be pre-booked by commercial fleet operations. The private HGV owner struggles.
 
Mine used to always go into the garage for yearly checks becfore it’s MOT and my mechanic would book me in way in advance. I’ve heard it’s even more of a nightmare now as they’ve recently closed one of our local testing stations.

I’m pretty sure it’s a government dictat to get rid of as many rented properties as possible in the public sector and condense down its property holdings. It’s happening all across the public sector.
 
I've used the same place for the last 3 years - they advise booking next one when they are doing this one - I booked my August test in January because I'm a rebel. I use Imperial Commercials in Swindon.
 
I understand that test appointments at ATFs were reduced earlier this year to allow more VOSA staff to do roadside checks, this was followed by a full week of cancelled appointments around here anyway, at the beg. of March with the snow. Result is no lorry MOT slots for weeks.
 
There is no test station near us now but a few hgv garages who have a freelance VOSA tester. I usually leave it to my mechanic to make an appointment, as he seems to be able to get them at much less notice than me.
 
we must be very lucky then, we have 2 test centres, one in Whitchurch, and one in middlewich. I'm pretty sure I passed one in stoke the other day too. I was able to get an appointment within a week. ( apologies for sounding smug !)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top