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cezdoc
Member
I asked around but in the end I did just take it to my local garage. I believe others have been to Kwik Fit, Halfords etc.
Anecdotally some garages have problems with jacks not being long enough to reach the jack points.
It should be a straight forward procedure. There is some information here: Ministry of Transport (MOT) Testing which I printed out and took along, covering stuff like jacking, air suspension and brake testing.
In my case I stayed around to go through the settings etc. and help as they hadn't seen a Tesla before.
If you want an independent specialist I've seen lots of great feedback for Cleevely EVs (Cleevely Electric Vehicles) - sadly too far away for me.
Anecdotally some garages have problems with jacks not being long enough to reach the jack points.
It should be a straight forward procedure. There is some information here: Ministry of Transport (MOT) Testing which I printed out and took along, covering stuff like jacking, air suspension and brake testing.
In my case I stayed around to go through the settings etc. and help as they hadn't seen a Tesla before.
If you want an independent specialist I've seen lots of great feedback for Cleevely EVs (Cleevely Electric Vehicles) - sadly too far away for me.
.jg.
Member
What cezdoc said. I would just phone around and ask testing stations if they can test aTesla, which is 2m wide and about 2 tonnes. The independents are often good, as they are more inclined to be flexible and less "computer says No". As cezdoc sais, it may be best to stay to supervise the test, to make sure they lift only on the jacking points and to help them with Jack Mode or staying in Neutral for the brake test (the Tesla MOT document is helpful for this). I found that for the brake test, testers like to ditch the rolling road in favour of a test drive with an accelerometer 
I just picked a local test centre. As with others, I found that the guy was really interested (his first Tesla) and I hung out with him.
My biggest concern was him causing damage to the bonnet by not closing it correctly - but he didn't want to even look in there.
Yes, a Model S is both wide and heavy ... but so are many of today's SUVs. He used a car lift which was clearly labeled with a huge limit - I think 4 tonnes.
He could clearly see the jacking points - although I made A Big Deal about not jacking the battery.
He used a rolling road for the brake test - i had no input there (I knew nothing about putting it in Neutral).
I think that the best idea is to pick a small centre where you can get involved. I expect a National Franchise would not be happy with you going into the workplace.
My biggest concern was him causing damage to the bonnet by not closing it correctly - but he didn't want to even look in there.
Yes, a Model S is both wide and heavy ... but so are many of today's SUVs. He used a car lift which was clearly labeled with a huge limit - I think 4 tonnes.
He could clearly see the jacking points - although I made A Big Deal about not jacking the battery.
He used a rolling road for the brake test - i had no input there (I knew nothing about putting it in Neutral).
I think that the best idea is to pick a small centre where you can get involved. I expect a National Franchise would not be happy with you going into the workplace.
I had my first MOT last month at a local independent in South London. I've been going there for 5+ years for cars and road/track bikes, but this was the first Tesla they had seen.
I gave advice on the jacking points etc and even helped moving the car on/off the ramp as he could see how protective I was about the car. He inspected the underside using the ramp but lifted the wheels clear of the ramp on the suspension arms for the wheel bearing checks etc
I noticed that the lift was capable of 3 tonnes; so had no worries for him when he was under the car!
Obviously the car sailed through the test, and the tester was genuinely impressed by the car, the space, design and the lack of buttons etc inside. He commented on the quality/robustness of the suspension/brake components too which I presume come from OEM suppliers and other manufacturer's parts bins.
I gave advice on the jacking points etc and even helped moving the car on/off the ramp as he could see how protective I was about the car. He inspected the underside using the ramp but lifted the wheels clear of the ramp on the suspension arms for the wheel bearing checks etc
I noticed that the lift was capable of 3 tonnes; so had no worries for him when he was under the car!
Obviously the car sailed through the test, and the tester was genuinely impressed by the car, the space, design and the lack of buttons etc inside. He commented on the quality/robustness of the suspension/brake components too which I presume come from OEM suppliers and other manufacturer's parts bins.
WannabeOwner
Well-Known Member
12Pack
Member
WannabeOwner
Well-Known Member
Agreed with others above. I use a local small independent.
One other trivial gotcha to avoid: the dash doesn’t show the odometer when the car is powered off. However, if you have the trip meters on the display then those remain when ‘off’. I hadn’t reset tripB in a while and so it was showing about 3000 miles- and that was the figure for odometer that ended up on my MoT certificate!
Took them some effort to get the system to issue a corrected certificate as I didn’t spot it until I got home.
One other trivial gotcha to avoid: the dash doesn’t show the odometer when the car is powered off. However, if you have the trip meters on the display then those remain when ‘off’. I hadn’t reset tripB in a while and so it was showing about 3000 miles- and that was the figure for odometer that ended up on my MoT certificate!
Took them some effort to get the system to issue a corrected certificate as I didn’t spot it until I got home.
Had a good experience at EV Tech MOT in Harlow (Garage in Harlow, Essex | Electric & Hybrid specialists | Repairs, services, MOT | EV Tech MOT). Was able to be involved in the test and it was quick and good value.
MrBadger
Badger out
Don’t take it to any MOT station on Slyfield industrial estate near Guildford. If you are based in that area.
You should be aware of one potential problem: for years I used my local council MOT centre, where I got to know the tester well. Council sites are excellent - they have no vested interest in finding profitable irrelevant faults with your car.
My tester was keen to undertake his first Tesla; HOWEVER - he carefully checked the ground clearance, and demonstrated that on his lift the bodywork would have fouled the ramp - not a good idea for the aluminium and plastic panels.
Like others, I subsequently took the car to an MOT station near to my Tesla garage. Interestingly, they tell me they rarely fail. And I note that the test can be completed in 20 minutes. Passed the emissions tests with flying colours.
I note with interest that while writing, this forum underlines words in red which IT thinks are spelled wrong . . . on dear, all that money spent on my education.
Philip
UK
My tester was keen to undertake his first Tesla; HOWEVER - he carefully checked the ground clearance, and demonstrated that on his lift the bodywork would have fouled the ramp - not a good idea for the aluminium and plastic panels.
Like others, I subsequently took the car to an MOT station near to my Tesla garage. Interestingly, they tell me they rarely fail. And I note that the test can be completed in 20 minutes. Passed the emissions tests with flying colours.
I note with interest that while writing, this forum underlines words in red which IT thinks are spelled wrong . . . on dear, all that money spent on my education.
Philip
UK
Billbrown1982
TM3 LR 2021 | Red | FSD
squarepeg77
Member
My car is due for first MOT in April.
Anyone used any of the MOT places near Tesla West Drayton?
Or anyone have an recommendations for Tesla MOT place in Hemel Hempstead / Herts?
Anyone used any of the MOT places near Tesla West Drayton?
Or anyone have an recommendations for Tesla MOT place in Hemel Hempstead / Herts?
squarepeg77
Member
I had my Tesla Model S first MOT test carried out at Apsley MOTs in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead. Their chief tester, Ty, reassured me he's tested a lot of Teslas now and indeed he did seem to know what he was doing. Although he did appreciate I'd brought a copy of the Tesla MOT guidance so he could give it to the other testers!
They have a nice little waiting room overlooking the workshop so you can keep an eye on your car, if you like. They just took the car once round the block (for brake test presumably) and then did the lights and brake inspection tests in the workshop. They seemed confident that the jacking points were obvious.
Done in about 25 minutes for £40 and they start at 7:45am.
They have a nice little waiting room overlooking the workshop so you can keep an eye on your car, if you like.
They just took the car once round the block (for brake test presumably) and then did the lights and brake inspection tests in the workshop. They seemed confident that the jacking points were obvious.Done in about 25 minutes for £40 and they start at 7:45am.
MrBadger
Badger out
Was on the Tesla UK site before for S and X but seems like it's gone now.
Here's a cached version:
Ministry of Transport (MOT) Testing
This website contains Tesla-specific details aimed to facilitate the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test such as VIN locations, jacking points, settings for free wheeling, and how to complete the brake tests. This website is not intended, and should not be relied upon, as a comprehensive overview...
webcache.googleusercontent.com
