P&R Cars, Leeds

Took my Volvo V40 2003 to these guys for its MOT this week. After the £50 inspection, Peter did not hesitate to tell me that the car was good only for scrap, presented me the long list of problems and told me that the bill for getting through the test would be AT LEAST £800. "Of course we would be happy to do the work," he said, with a smile. Thinking that this seemed just a little steep, I asked some pertinent questions, paid for the inspection, and drove away. The final bill for passing the MOT with my local garage? £282. Including a £30 MOT inspection and VAT. For two new brake pipes, and a replacement OSR spring fitted. I'm not saying P&R Cars are crooks. Far from it. And they're likely very experienced and capable. It's just my personal opinion is that they're looking to retire soon after several decades of hard work building their business, are getting perhaps a little cocky, starting to think they can afford to quote "PLATINUM" rates, and are looking to spend less and less of their time working at ever higher hourly rates. Two previous experiences like this, too! This one was the third and final.

Have looked after my Volvos for 30 years and have been very satisfied. Can be trusted to do a good job and you can be sire that if they some work is needed that it is. My Volvo V70 cost me about £200 for repairs ( apart from an air conditioning matrix which got a hole ) over a 12 year period - none in the last 3 years. Have told me there is a little play in a suspension component 3 years running ( well within MOT ) and have never pressed me to get it fixed.