i had to get the missus's mk2 mot'd on monday morning... i tried ringing round a few local garages to see if i could find one that hadn't gone over to the computerised system. i had my *cough* rover tested 2 weeks ago at a garage local to me, and they hadn't gone over, but the new computer had just been installed when i took it back for the retest. the tester told me they were damned unhappy about the new system and were just expecting lots of hassle from it. also, they reckoned they 'had' to charge the full £44 for a test, instead of a few quid less so they were undercutting the big dealers and tyre centres.
luckily, my missus's golf passed it's test on the first attempt, but i got an advisary notice on the state of the front discs (new grooved and drilled discs, £21 on egay!!

). the tester told me that if it had failed on the discs, and i'd left the car with them, they could have done a free retest if they'd got the discs done that day. all very well and good, but what if they couldn't get the discs that day, or didn't have the time to fit them.
this new system is just another pain in the ass, but like all systems, ways round the rules will emerge. support your local small garage, and they'll look after you!