Land Rover Friendly MOT Testing Stations

Hello All,

I am thinking that certain MOT testers will be a lot more accommodating of a LR and it's 'quirks' than others may be. Especially when looking at a 40 year old one like mine. Does anyone have any advice for Land Rover friendly test stations? I am in Bracknell so would love to hear about any in Berkshire, Surrey or even Hampshire at a push but also feel free to discuss what to look for with test stations that might make pushing your workhorse through a bit easier!

Andy.

Not only will a test station that understand Land Rovers tend to be more understanding , they will have a much better grasp of how to legally apply the test requirements to suit four wheel drive transmissions .
If I were you I would either find a local LR independent that is also an MOT station, or find out whether the local independents use as a test station and go there.
Giving Dunsfold a ring might be a good start ?

I take mine to Regency Garage, Chapel Lane in Farnborough.
The guys there know old cars and Land Rovers quite well.
01276 32616

IGP50, I'm going camping at the Dunsfold Collection tonight actually so will ask around and see what they say.

Thanks for that pointer Patman, I'll give them a bell.

Recently I went to the first cheap tester near me and got comments like "I should really fail it for that sump leak", "for that front diff leak", "for that rear diff leak", for "that fluid coming out the wheels" - okay, I get it, it leaks !!

Water247 said:

IGP50, I'm going camping at the Dunsfold Collection tonight actually so will ask around and see what they say.

Thanks for that pointer Patman, I'll give them a bell.

Recently I went to the first cheap tester near me and got comments like "I should really fail it for that sump leak", "for that front diff leak", "for that rear diff leak", for "that fluid coming out the wheels" - okay, I get it, it leaks !!

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No it doesn't, it's only marking it's terrotary.

MOTest in Camberley, up on the Old Dean estate...

The chap looked under my Disco and just checked I knew about all the leaks... didn't even record them as advisories.

Plus they do a proper brake test with a meter, not try and put it on the rollers!

I've always used Ski's in North Camp. Knows what he's doing, and guaranteed a straight test.

Thanks for the tips so far. I'll definitely be going to one of those mentioned. Maybe telling them they got my custom via Landyzone could result in future discounts for forum users

Did you find anywhere closer to bracknell ?

My 90's due the end of this month and I'm in Thatcham, Berkshire so am looking for somewhere not too far that knows what they're doing when testing landys.

Thanks

Took my TD5 to a normal TD5 testing station and it passed. Surely an MOT pass is a pass anywhere? I wouldn't want much leniency in a test, just because they know Land Rovers.

True Ben, I want mine tested properly. But there again, you don't wants some muppet knacker it on rollers, or fail it on things it should fail on.

The one in Kendal on Mintsfeet road is the best one in the area for old landy's, I was talking to the guy there and he said if it was to fail on something like emissions they have many tricks for it that they'll do to let it pass.

Fuel additive, running it til the engines extra hot, sprays, tuning carbs to make it run lean

They aren't arsed about excessive noise either which is good seeing as I've got a V8, and on top of that they're next to LR Spares so if theres a minor problem they probably can send it next door to be fixed then add it to the bill if you instructed them to do so pre test

BenG said:

Took my TD5 to a normal TD5 testing station and it passed. Surely an MOT pass is a pass anywhere? I wouldn't want much leniency in a test, just because they know Land Rovers.

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I found that the 'mainstream' tester I used had no real idea about Series Landrovers and specifically what rules may or may not apply to such an old vehicle. He wanted to fail it for no number plate light (until I pointed out it was built into the rear light, not include the rear seats in the inspection as they had no seatbelts (invalidating it as a 7 seater), for slightly leaking diffs, for failing a computerised emissions test (despite a vehicle of that age only requiring a visual pass) to site just a few examples. The fella was nice and it all worked out in the end but I suspect a tester with greater experience of LR's and specifically old Series LR's would have been of much more use, both in getting it through with minimum trouble and potentially pointing out 'real' Series issues which might need addressing.

too true

Fatboy11 said:

Did you find anywhere closer to bracknell ?

My 90's due the end of this month and I'm in Thatcham, Berkshire so am looking for somewhere not too far that knows what they're doing when testing landys.

Thanks

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Afraid not mate, I persevered with my nearest one (convenient, cheap and had already started with them). Though between now and next year I am definitely going to be sniffing around for a good ol'Landy place as I really feel it's worth going to the right shop.

Perhaps with a slightly more modern and better conditioned car it might not be such a concern but for my previously unloved 40 year old Series I need all the sensitivity I can get!

Dr_evil said:

The one in Kendal on Mintsfeet road is the best one in the area for old landy's, I was talking to the guy there and he said if it was to fail on something like emissions they have many tricks for it that they'll do to let it pass.

Fuel additive, running it til the engines extra hot, sprays, tuning carbs to make it run lean

They aren't arsed about excessive noise either which is good seeing as I've got a V8, and on top of that they're next to LR Spares so if theres a minor problem they probably can send it next door to be fixed then add it to the bill if you instructed them to do so pre test

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Thanks for sharing the knowledge mate. Now if only someone from my area would be so kind - Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire anyone?!!

Water247 said:

Thanks for sharing the knowledge mate. Now if only someone from my area would be so kind - Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire anyone?!!

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Afraid it's not near you but JW Smalleys in Martin, Lincs 01526 378227 (near Woodhall Spa) is a very Landie friendly MOT tester, especially the old 'uns as he's got and rebuilt a few himself.









Oh and he's my brother in law :nospamhere:

all this knowledge of good garages might be worth organising into regions and making it a sticky, maybe even arrange discounts for lz members.

barmatt said:

all this knowledge of good garages might be worth organising into regions and making it a sticky, maybe even arrange discounts for lz members.

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I was thinking that when I first put the thread up though initial responses were slow in coming it's building a bit now. Who do we need to chat up to make it happen?

Water247 said:

I was thinking that when I first put the thread up though initial responses were slow in coming it's building a bit now. Who do we need to chat up to make it happen?

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Just mention the word "CHIPPIES" an Ratty will be along shortly.