I know nothing about cars and am concerned if I take it to a garage I might be taken for a ride.

This noise may be from the thrust bearing which releases the clutch - some of these bearings are carbon faced, othersuse a ballbearing.

Either type will not take kindly to you resting your foot lightly on the pedal as a habit - you should only put your foot on the pedal when operating the clutch.

You don't say the age or mileage of the car, so it is hard to say if the bearing is worn and in need of replacement - to find out for sure will mean expensive dismantling, and you may as well have a new clutch fitted while they are at it. (The MOT would only check that the clutch works properly, couldn't check thrust bearing state.

Standard clutch release bearing fault,its dry you can either live with it or change it.It should last years if you can live with the noise or change it which is going to be quite expensive.