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Cheap MOTs. Hidden council test centres see fewer fails
Crack the MOT code - go for cheapest if your car's mint or a 'no repairs' centre, if not

There are rumours the Govt's mooting switching MOTs to every two years. Until then, the annual car check-up once your vehicle's three years old can come at a hefty price. For most, the problem's not the test's cost, but the potential £100s in repairs. Our updated Cheap MOTs guide shows how to cut costs. Here's a summary:

• Do a DIY check - 20% fail MOTs due to popped light bulbs. It's a staggering stat, and many more fail due to windscreen wipers or empty oil. So do a quick walk around your car first (full checks in guide) and, where possible, fix before the test.
• Hidden council test centres - no repairs, so no incentive to fail. Some mechanics can be overzealous at fault-spotting, as it gains them lucrative repair business. Many councils have MOT centres for their own vehicles, which by law must open to the public - and our anecdotal feedback is people get far fewer failures. Use our Council MOTs map to find your local one.
• Car in mint condition? Get 1/2 price MOT. If you've a newer car in such good condition that failure's unlikely, just go for the cheapest test. The VOSA (MOT authority) standard is £54.85, yet this Halfords* link gets it for £27.42, making it the cheapest national chain, though always check local MOT centres for offers too.

FULL info in the Updated Guide & Map: Cheap MOTs Related: Cheap Car Insurance, Cheap Petrol, Breakdown Cover

Barclaycard's just fired a couple of big salvos back at Virgin/MBNA in the credit card war, after last week's new card launched. For customers with decent credit ratings looking to cut debt costs, it's a boon. Always plan carefully, budget for & minimise new borrowing - all cards require you pass a credit check.

• New! Top 14mth all-rounder card. New Barclaycard* Platinum customers get 0% for 14 mths for balance transfers with 2.9% fee AND 0% spending, trumping last week's then longest-ever 13mth Virgin* deal (with 2.89% BT fee). These deals protect your credit history, as they only require one application. Repay in full before the 0% ends or the rate jumps to 18.9% representative APR (Virgin to 18.9% or 20.9%).
  
• New! 0% for 19 mths balance transfer, 2.9% fee. The longest balance-transfer-only card is a different Barclaycard* Platinum, which offers new cardholders 20 mths 0% with a 3.2% fee (17.5% representative APR after). But now it's launched yet another version: a Barclaycard* with 19 mths 0% for a lower 2.9% fee (16.9% rep APR after), so it's cheaper if you can pay slightly quicker.
• Last Chance! 14mth balance transfer but ONLY 1.5% fee. If you've existing debts and can repay quicker, Lloyds* Platinum gives new customers 14mth 0% on debts shifted to it with a 3% fee. Yet transfer £1,500+ before 30 June - so now just's about last chance - and it'll refund half, slashing it to just 1.5%, by far the lowest. Once the 0% ends it's 15.9% representative APR. Full best-buys & 'what's my cheapest card tool?' in the Balance Transfers guide.
• 15 months 0% spending. If you only need 0% spending, Tesco* & M&S* give 0% for 15 mths and reward points. Repay before these end or rates jump to 16.9% and 15.9% rep APR respectively. Full info in 0% Cards guide.

Full info in the Updated Guides: 0% Balance Transfers, 0% Spend & Balance Transfer and Official APR Examples

Urgent! Summer childcare, save £100s
The kids may be off, but it doesn't mean you are. This can see childcare costs rocket

It's not just babies in swaddling clothes who need childcare in the summer. It can apply to 6ft hairy 15-year-olds too (and that's just the girls). Yet there are a range of ways to cut costs, but sort it now or availability can be limited.

• Free/subsidised summer clubs. See what local schools offer (your child needn't attend it) or speak to your local council. These aren't just po-faced, they can include activities such as street art and archery. If required to pay, tax credits and childcare vouchers can usually be used.
• Get childcare tax credits. Even if you only pay for childcare in summer, you may be eligible for childcare tax credits (cash paid into your bank account). If you're a single parent who works 16+ hours a week or a couple who both work 16+ hours, and have a household income under £42,000, check if you're eligible (in rare cases, families with 4+ kids can earn £70,000 and qualify) via the Childcare Tax Credits guide.
• Childcare vouchers. This govt scheme lets you pay for childcare from PRE-tax earnings, ie, basic-rate taxpayers get £1,000 in childcare for only £700 - a huge boon. Sadly, it's only available if your employer's signed up. For some on lower incomes it can cut the tax credits you're eligible for, so be careful. See the Childcare Vouchers guide.
• National citizenship 2 weeks away for 16-year-olds. The National Citizen Service has 11,000 places in England (some already gone) on a £50 (less in some areas) exciting 2-week residential course for year 11s to get involved in their community.

More step-by-step info in the Full Guide: Get £1,000s in Childcare Help Related: Childcare Vouchers, Cheap Days Out, Cheap Theme Parks, Free Museums

New inflation-linked savings pay RPI + 1.5%
Post Office takes on NS&I with new deal, though NS&I still first port of call for most

Inflation eats away at savings, as, if prices rise faster than savings grow, your money buys less when you take it out than when you put it in. Yet there's a savings price war on deals that track the RPI inflation rate. It's currently a mammoth 5.2%, which makes these deals sound great, though it's unlikely to stay that high long-term.

• NS&I inflation-linked savings TAX FREE. For most, the govt-backed NS&I's 5yr inflation-linked certificate is the winner. It pays RPI plus 0.5% per year tax-free interest on up to £15,000. Plus you can withdraw after year one and still beat inflation. Full withdrawal info & more in the Inflation-Linked Savings guide.
• New! Post Office inflation + 1.5% savings. If you've used up NS&I, one option's to lock a min £500 away for 5 years in the Post Office's* (part of Bank of Ireland UK, but has full UK £85,000 savings protection) new Inflation-Linked Bond, which pays annual RPI inflation plus 1.5%. However, the interest is taxed and doesn't compound (no interest on interest). More info: Inflation-Linked Savings guide.
• Want EASY ACCESS? Top 3.05% deal. If you want to get to your cash whenever, Nationwide's* MySave Online Plus (min £1,000) pays 3.05% AER, but only allows 1 penalty-free withdrawal a year. For unlimited access, Santander's* eSaver pays 3%. All include year-long bonuses, so diarise to ditch & switch after. See Top Savings.

All accounts have full £85,000 UK Savings Protection. Full info in Top Savings, Inflation-Linked Savings or Cash ISAs

Important reminder! You now NEED car insurance even when not driving
You'll be fined if cover lapses | Don't overpay just to avoid new law | Save £100s on insurance

You've always needed cover to drive, but the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement regime started Monday and means if you've an uninsured car, van, motorbike or motor home, you could be breaking the law - whether you drive it or not.

• You can be fined or have your car destroyed. Let cover lapse even during holidays or hospital stays, and you break the law. There's a £100 fine followed by clamping, seizure or it being DESTROYED, though warning letters come first.
• Avoid it with a Sorn. Those with a valid Statutory Off-Road Notification (Sorn, apply at Direct.gov), who keep their motor off-road (garage or driveway, not roadside or grass verges) don't need cover.
• Diarise SIX weeks before renewal. The change is rightly to cut uninsured driving by allowing the Govt to match databases of cars and insurance. Our worry is many will pay more as they auto-renew cover to avoid fines. Don't wait for insurers' reminders, diarise six weeks ahead to find the cheapest.
• Fight back against huge costs & save £100s. First combine comparison services MoneySupermarket* and GoCompare* to get a wide spread of quotes, then add big insurers Aviva* and Direct Line*, which they miss. Once you find the cheapest, check the policy is suitable and look for promos and try cashback sites, or, for a speedy all-in-one approach (though not usually best for results), two comparison sites give cashback: BeatThatQuote* (£25) or SimplySwitch* (£40). Full Info: Cheap Car Insurance
  

Full info & warnings in the Guides: Cheap Car Insurance, Van, Motorbike. Related: Home Insurance, Travel Insurance