Cut garage costs

All your worries about what really goes on in car garages are true, according to an undercover survey from consumer group Which?.

Its investigation into garage practices found 87 per cent either missed or ignored problems which could cause an accident, while 39 per cent charged for products like screenwash that weren’t supplied - or needed.

So what’s the best way to pick a garage for an MOT or service? Which? recommends going for one that’s affiliated to the Bosch Car Service scheme or Motor Codes scheme. And once you’ve found a reputable dealer, you should also shop around to track down the mechanic offering the best value.

There’s an official maximum for an MOT price - £54.85 for cars, £29.65 for motorbikes. Some garages charge less because they know they’ll get any repair business, but none should charge more.

Before you drop off your vehicle, check for the most-common faults - like faulty light bulbs or tyre pressure - to save costs.

If your car is in good condition and you expect it to pass its MOT, consider going to a council-run testing station. Since these don’t carry out repairs, they have no incentive to find non-existent “faults”.

If you’re keen to head to a garage that can do all the work in one place, look for discount codes first. AA members can receive 33 per cent off MOTs at Nationwide Autocentres, plus 15 per cent off services, whilst KwikFit offers money off if you book an MOT and service at the same time.