MOTs explained: what they cost, when to book and what happens if you fail
Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000. The test itself costs a small fraction of that, and the rules about timing and retests are simpler than most people expect.
What it costs
The government caps what a test centre can charge. For a car the maximum is £54.85, and for a standard motorcycle it’s £29.65. There’s no VAT on top. Plenty of garages charge less than the cap, so it’s worth ringing two or three, but nobody can legally charge more for the test itself. Repairs are separate and not capped.
When to book
A car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, and then one every year. You can take the test up to a month (minus a day) before the current certificate runs out and keep the same renewal date. If your MOT expires on 15 May, the earliest you can test and keep that date is 16 April.
Go earlier than that and the new certificate runs for a year (minus a day) from the date of the test, so you lose a few weeks of cover. Go later than the expiry date and you can only drive to a test you’ve already booked, or to somewhere that’s repairing the car.
What the test covers
It checks the car meets road safety and environmental standards: things like lights, steering, brakes, tyres and emissions. It doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. A car can pass and still be near the end of its clutch, so an MOT isn’t a substitute for a service.
Only centres displaying the blue sign with three white triangles can carry out an MOT.
If it fails
You’ll get a refusal certificate listing what failed. Talk through the results with the test centre before anyone starts repairs, because you’re free to get the work done elsewhere unless the car has a dangerous defect.
What you pay for the retest depends on where the repairs happen. Leave the car at the same centre and have it retested within 10 working days, and the partial retest is free. Take it away and bring it back within 10 working days, and you may be charged a partial retest fee. After that you pay for a full test again.
If your old certificate is still valid you can drive the car away, though it has to stay roadworthy. If you think the failure was wrong, you can appeal to the DVSA within 14 working days of the test.
Check the history first
Anyone can look up a vehicle’s MOT history on GOV.UK using the registration number. It shows past results, mileage at each test and any advisories, which makes it a useful check on a used car before you hand over money.
Finding a garage
The cheapest test isn’t always the best deal. Some centres discount the MOT and make it back on the repairs that follow, so ask for a written estimate before agreeing to any work. Our Garages & MOT category lists independent garages in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Check the current fee and the retest terms with the garage before you book.
