Tower Hamlets reopens council-run MOT test station

The Council says their new MOT services will prevent motorists from over-paying for repairs but independent garages have faith in loyal customers.

A council-run MOT test station on Silvocea Way has reopened to the public after a five-year closure.

In addition to carrying out the annual tests for the council’s vehicle fleet, the test centre will also offer MOT tests for cars and light commercial vehicles owned by Tower Hamlets residents and local businesses.

MOT services for residents are priced at £45 for a car and £55 for a light van. 

The Council said: ‘Car-owners concerned that their annual MOT test will result in an expensive list of recommended – but unnecessary – repairs, may welcome news of a recently reopened MOT test centre in Poplar.’

Cllr Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency said: ‘Residents who don’t already have a trusted garage they use for their MOT may be concerned about being presented with a list of non-urgent repairs by a garage which stands to profit from those repairs. 

‘Our new test centre in Poplar offers a straightforward MOT service. As we don’t carry out repairs ourselves, there is no profit motive and therefore no risk of residents being handed a list of unnecessary and expensive repairs. 

Tower Hamlets is not the only council in London or the UK to offer MOT services. 12 London boroughs have council-owned test centres, including Barking and Dagenham, and Lewisham. 

We spoke to three independent garages in Poplar about the new service.

One said: “To be honest, I’m okay with [the council MOT service]. Our clients have been with us for over a decade, and they come from all over London. I don’t think the new centre will affect us too much, but it might impact walk-ins. People might assume there’s more credibility with a council-run operation compared to a local independent business.

They might also do better on Google results when people search for “MOT near me”’. 

Another said: ‘It’s going to affect us. There’s a conflict of interest with the price as it’s undercutting us. Price is a very big factor, and I’m 100% concerned about it.’

So many [garages] do have dodgy MOTs but how is the council going to stop that? 

I’m not worried about my loyal customers, but I am concerned about attracting new ones, especially if they assume the council is going to offer a better service. Our customers know we aren’t in the business of upselling, and we rely on our good reviews but newer businesses might struggle.

If the council is opening their own MOT centre, we shouldn’t be charged business rates. It’s going to be difficult to keep up with paying the rates if this situation keeps developing.’

A third said: ‘I’ve been here for 35 years. It makes no difference to me but I don’t think it’s for the council to operate things like this. 

They don’t open supermarkets or pharmacies, so why should they be involved in running MOTs? How are they planning to fund it and how will they justify the costs? Salary alone for one [mechanic] could be 35k. It seems like a waste of money.

And what about repairs? It’s inconvenient for people to go to two places.’

MOT tests in the UK are capped at £54.85. Other well-known service providers in the area and their rates include: ATS Euromaster – £43.99 with online booking, Halfords – £44.99-£49.99, Kwik Fit – £40.50-£54.85, depending on location and appointment time.

According to the financial advice website, Money Saving Expert, the vast majority of those using council-run MOT services across the country report their cars either consistently pass the test, or need fewer repairs compared with MOTs done at other garages. 

The Slice asked Tower Hamlets Council about the costs of running the service but did not hear back at the time of publication.

If you liked this read Silvertown Tunnel to open in April in bid to improve Thames crossing