i know what you're saying wellfan, it does seem impossible! i'm fortunate that i do all work myself and only use garages for MOT's, i feel sorry for those who aren't informed about cars and get ripped off left right and centre,
im lucky that i do know of one decent, genuine garage, the guy is properly sound and is not just in it for the money but to help people out and be a good member of the community. unfortuntely for me i wasn't in the area for this MOT so had to use another garage instead.
It's a bit disheartening when im waiting and theres a corsa van that clearly has seized rear brakes that just need freeing off and maybe new cylinders and the mechanic says 'well hes having new front discs and pads whether he likes it or not' and in this case he really didn't need them.
Ah well, im one of the lucky ones, MOT cost me a total of £60 all in, im sure that wouldve been so much more if id of let the friendly mechanic have his way!