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well a little update. Like I knew it was in vain but I tried to ring - after being told to wait for an "agent" - another number comes up. Tried it - heard the number wrong - rang again 3 times until I got it "right". Guess what - they gave me the first number all over again.
I went back to the MOT centre again and asked for the manager (this is the MOT) guy not office workers (they are working from home) Extremely helpful, got a 2 September slot, also I had pointed out the chassis number they sent me on the reminder letter was different on my registration, they changed that too as they said it was important if my car was ever stolen. Extremely obliging and so a little present is on its way tomorrow - like a box of biscuits for all the lads to enjoy with a cuppa. He also had to go out to my car and check some number out and he willingly did that. I thanked him so much.