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Original poster

MOT anxiety

26 replies

Newtrix · 02/03/2023 12:08

Does anyone else feel unnecessarily anxious when their car is in for its MOT? Ours is only 4 years old and well looked after, and we have enough to fix any issues. I'm not naturally an anxious person but feel really chewed whenever my car is in the garage, no idea why though.

OP posts:
Rosafiona · 02/03/2023 12:20

No, sorry. This is odd unless you are anxious generally (you say you aren't) or you are really struggling for money. If the latter it's understandable.

bellac11 · 02/03/2023 12:21

No, I never understand the angst about passing or failing, if it fails they ring you and say 'oh this needs doing to pass' and they fix it and it passes and away you go

OldTinHat · 02/03/2023 12:23

My car is 14yrs old and I dread every MOT or any strange noise when I'm driving. Mostly because I've no money to fix faults or replace the car.

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JudgementalCentipede · 02/03/2023 12:23

Yes I do, maybe because I just wouldn't have the money to fix anything on it at the moment 🤣

mrsfennel · 02/03/2023 12:24

I don't feel anxious, my car is very old but a diesel so still plodding along.

I would feel pissed off if it needed loads of stuff, its just one of those things.

Can you re frame it in your head, so have a back up plan, if it costs x amount its worth doing, but if its over that amount then time to get a new car.

mollibu · 02/03/2023 12:24

Yes!!! I have sooo much anxiety on MOT day. I think it's because if they turned round and said it needed £1,000 worth of work to pass, I genuinely don't have it or anyone to lend it so that's why I get so anxious.

I've now got a cheap lease vehicle with all servicing, maintenance and MOT (when needed) included for 5 years. No MOT anxiety for me anymore!

onlythesparrow · 02/03/2023 12:26

Yes!

Murraydeservedit · 02/03/2023 12:27

OldTinHat · 02/03/2023 12:23

My car is 14yrs old and I dread every MOT or any strange noise when I'm driving. Mostly because I've no money to fix faults or replace the car.

Snap!

Ours is on its way out now. I have no idea how we will replace it.

onlythesparrow · 02/03/2023 12:28

No, I never understand the angst about passing or failing, if it fails they ring you and say 'oh this needs doing to pass' and they fix it and it passes and away you go

The only works if you know you have plenty of money saved and don't have to worry about whether you can afford the repairs!

Logburnerperils · 02/03/2023 12:28

I think it is because we are at the mercy of the garage and they could say anything and we have no recourse.

Jagley · 02/03/2023 12:29

Yes, mine is going in tomorrow and I'm dreading it. It's older and I need to sell it very soon so keeping everything crossed!

Turquoisa80 · 02/03/2023 12:31

I get anxious too but I have an old car and no money for potential fixes. Luckily it passed on Monday, so okay for another year. I did the basics at home, changed the wiper which was needed, checked lights and tyre pressure which made me feel a bit better beforehand

Original poster
Newtrix · 02/03/2023 12:32

Glad I'm not the only one! @Logburnerperils That makes a lot of sense!

OP posts:
280NeuerNamen · 02/03/2023 12:33

I always say an MOT costs nothing or £800 and you have no idea what it is until they call you! We have a very trustworthy garage but sometimes there is stuff wrong on the inside that we just have no idea about.

Deathbyfluffy · 02/03/2023 12:33

mollibu · 02/03/2023 12:24

Yes!!! I have sooo much anxiety on MOT day. I think it's because if they turned round and said it needed £1,000 worth of work to pass, I genuinely don't have it or anyone to lend it so that's why I get so anxious.

I've now got a cheap lease vehicle with all servicing, maintenance and MOT (when needed) included for 5 years. No MOT anxiety for me anymore!

There's an increasing number of cars failing their first and second MOTs at 3 and 4 years - and lots of parts aren't covered under these 'all in' deals (like brakes, clutch etc - stuff that wears).

Just because they include the cost of the MOT test in the plan doesn't mean it's a guaranteed pass - so make sure you account for that in your budgeting 😊

bloodywhitecat · 02/03/2023 12:36

Yes because it is my lifeline but it has nothing to do with the cost of any possible repairs. I have a little one in a wheelchair and absolutely no access to public transport and I don't know of any wheelchair accessible taxis out in the sticks where we live.

Mercy1968 · 02/03/2023 14:27

Yes because I could never afford a car like it again and my late dad helped me buy it years ago.

Car is 14 years old and always passed but I m an anxious mess on the day and don't sleep well the night before!

I usually keep money by in case it needs anything though. My car is my lifeline for work etc.

mollibu · 02/03/2023 14:44

@Deathbyfluffy all servicing and repairs is included in the cost of the lease, very handy especially last month when the engine light came on. Taken to the garage, courtesy car issued and car returned to me fixed- no payment needed! Grin

Shalapoo · 02/03/2023 15:19

Mine is in next week and I’m more than a little worried about it. I just don’t have the money if it needs expensive repairs but equally I can’t be without my car. It really is my lifeline due to poor transport links and needed for work. I face possibly having to scrap my car and not being able to replace it

inky1991 · 02/03/2023 15:26

I think it's normal to be anxious if you don't have loads of savings for potential repairs.

My car is in next week for its first MOT, and I'm very worried it won't pass. That's because I've finally forked out for a fairly expensive, new car on PCP and feel like I shouldn't have to pay for repairs already.
I will be so pissed off it if fails.

I actually don't think I've ever had a car pass an MOT in my 15 years of driving, even when I've bought newer ones.

ItsOKToFeelProud · 02/03/2023 16:08

Ive been lucky with MOTs. DH does ours. He would never pass it if its not safe ever.
Its had 2 fails. Which had immediate repairs before leaving garage. Luckily both were 'parts only at cost price' so 1st was around £50 (4 years ago) second was £80 ish ( last year)
Its a 16 year old car so expect it to have odd issues.

Its due again end April so we shall see what that brings

LightSpeeds · 02/03/2023 16:26

bellac11 · 02/03/2023 12:21

No, I never understand the angst about passing or failing, if it fails they ring you and say 'oh this needs doing to pass' and they fix it and it passes and away you go

Because failing can potentially cost a lot of money which is a problem for some people!

Original poster
Newtrix · 02/03/2023 16:50

She passed! Woohoo. Just new front pads and discs which was expected as they were highlighted last year as half a year left. Just waiting for the bill to be emailed over 🤞

OP posts:
280NeuerNamen · 02/03/2023 22:40

Excellent news @Newtrix

katmarie · 02/03/2023 22:42

No, because I'm fairly certain it's going to fail usually, I was astonished my car got through the last mot.

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