most places are aupposed to be on the computerised system now, altho as with some garages (e.g.t he one form my house) they have the equipment but the people who r coming to fit theres, are due any day (prob next week..., week after, next month... next year) so its luck of the draw! best thing is to get a pre m.o.t check done.. then they will tell u roughly what needs doin (if anything) and then have th test done, usually costs u 1/2 price of test at the most, although, this is also at the garages discretion!
(hope it passes - took me 3 times to get golf to pass when i was puttin it back on the road!! )