Sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you. The worry of the cost of retests is, imo, one of the prime causes of needing a retest! When I headed up Peter Smythe Transport Training, I introduced Pass Protection. This covers the cost of 3 retests (vehicle hire and retest) at a cost of just £395.
The group has expanded to include Chevron at Flint and PJE at Hereford who also offer the same facility.
Residential courses work well and are well proven at all these centres. Available at no extra cost if you live more than 70 miles from the centre.
Hope it works out for you next time,
Pete S 