Whats the difference in a 'trade' MOT?

Question

comparing it with one anyone off the street would use. Is it just the price? are they regulated in the same way?

Answer 1

There should be no difference. An Mot is an Mot regardless of who owns it. Naturally if a garage is Mot'ing its own sales cars the Sales dept will get a discount from the Service dept, as the Service dept will gain of any work that needs done.
All Mots are regulated by VOSA and it's not uncommon for them to retest a car that's on the garages forecourt to ensure the standards are being upheld.
Beware garages that offer a massive price reduction for an Mot (the max charge is £50.35 now) as someone who charges less than half that will want more work off the vehicle and its more likely to fail on items that would otherwise be a borderline pass.

Answer 2

A trade MOT (whatever that is) should be exactly the same as any other. If an MOT certificate is produced then the car has met the requirements for an MOT test. Doesn't matter who you are.

Answer 3

trade mots are usually tax free thats the only difference all mots are regulated but depend on the garage some will give you a warning of things are worn like brakes and some will fail them

Answer 4

my garage does trade mot for £45 and public £50, all it is to say thanks to your traders for bringing them to us and also they charge their customer £50 so they make a fiver on the mot,, some garages do trade at £30 but i need the money, the way the mot is done are both the same public or trade

Answer 5

There is no difference in the actual mot any vehicle presented for its annual test must meet the standeards laid down (which is actually very scarily low in and around of the percentage of 5% servicable) the only difference maybe the price