Five Reasons Female-Friendly MOT Test Centres are all the Rage

Going to the mechanic can be an intimidating, frustrating, and sometimes terrifying experience for a lot of women. Those of us who don't know a lot about car repairs have all been there at one point or another. The mechanic is standing in front of you, reeling off a list of problems with your car and car parts that are needed. While you're doing your best to pay attention, you don't have a clue what he's talking about. All you can think about is:

• Do these repairs actually need to be done?

• Am I going to get ripped off?

If you're a woman who isn't experienced with car repairs, visiting the mechanic can make you feel incredibly vulnerable. And it probably should. According to a study performed by The Times, women are much more likely to be quoted higher prices for car repairs than men- for the same services.

When it comes to MOT testing and even basic repairs, more and more women are making the change to female-friendly garages and test centres, where they can feel safe and trust the work that is being done.

Female-Friendly MOT Test Centres and Garages

Because there is a real need for women to feel safe when getting car repairs done, many female-friendly garages and test centres for the MOT have opened up across the country. One such garage was the first to have an all-female staff in the UK. The owner, Caroline Lake, is a certified mechanic and MOT tester.

She began her journey as an unpaid apprentice in this male-dominated industry, until she was able to convince her employer, four years later, that she deserved to be a paid employee. Over the years, she heard horror storeys from women who had been taken advantage of when they came to the mechanic, and decided to start her own business. She now has a business that caters to both male and female clients, with an environment that ensures every individual who comes in for help can do so without feeling scared about what might happen.

She isn't the only MOT test centre and garage that provides female-friendly mechanical help. Other garages around the country have seen the importance of offering services that are much more female-friendly. Many garages today offer honest, reliable services that provide capable diagnostics, repairs to car parts, and MOT testing. Whether the customer that comes in is male or female, these garages make sure that each individual understand exactly what the problem with their car is, what needs to be fixed, and how they can ensure it stays on the road longer. Some of the garages even offer classes to those who want them so car owners can gain a better understanding of basic car maintenance and repair issues.

Finding the Right Mechanic

While female-friendly garages are becoming more and more popular, female mechanics still only make up 0.04% of the mechanic population, with 500,000 male mechanics in the UK at the moment and only 200 female mechanics.

Finding a trusted MOT testing centre and mechanic can be difficult because of this, especially if you're looking for a female-friendly one. The best way to determine if one is near you is by going online. There are a variety of websites available to help you, like Good Garage Scheme, to find garages near you that cater to female clientele in your postcode.

Because there are so few female mechanics and women-friendly garages available, though, you may be forced to choose a different mechanic in your own area when you need help or need to take the MOT. Knowing how to find one that will treat you well and won't rip you off is important, and requires a bit of research.

• Find one That Offers advise- One of the best ways to tell if you've found a good mechanic is to find one that will offer you advise, instead of immediately trying to get you to take out your pocket book. The best mechanics aren't all about selling; they are much more concerned about ensuring your safety and making sure you know exactly what the problem is.

• Find one That will Wait- Never trust a garage that goes ahead with repairs before discussing the situation with you or getting your permission. These types of garages are more interested in getting your money than making you feel safe. You need to agree on both the cost and the necessary repairs that need to be done.

• Find one That will Allow you to Supply Car Parts- Let's say for a moment that your ten year old Mx5 suddenly needs new spark plugs. While the shop may be ready to provide them for you, they should give you a chance to look elsewhere for those Mx5 parts first. By researching online part suppliers like GSF Car Parts, you may be able to find Mx5 parts at a lower cost at a branch near you.

• Find out if VAT is Included- Before the mechanic begins working on your vehicle, ask about VAT. See if it is included in the quoted price, as it can really increase the prices on larger jobs. You don't want them to finish working and get a nasty surprise when you're ready to pay.

Finding a Trusted MOT Centre

When you choose a trusted, female-friendly MOT centre, you'll feel much safer when it comes to testing your vehicle each year. If you feel more comfortable, choose a MOT test centre with a female tester. These testers are much more likely to take the time to explain what is wrong with your vehicle and how you can fix those particular issues.

If a female-friendly MOT centre isn't near you, consider opting for a council-run centre. With a centre run by your local council, you can be sure that the test is carried out correctly, and you are advised on necessary repairs only. Knowing that you are only having work done that is required will help you feel better about your experience and help you save money.

Worried that you might get ripped off at the mechanic? When you need car parts repaired, consider visiting a female-friendly garage and MOT testing centre.