MOT Costs Decoded: Know What You're Paying For

If your car is older than three years, the MOT test is a legal requirement (if you want to keep it on the road, that is).   
The annual test checks that your vehicle meets the minimum safety and environmental standards set by UK law. And while an MOT won't catch any problems with how a car handles or rides, it can provide a good starting point for maintaining your vehicle.

When your MOT expires, you have to head to a garage or service station approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). At the testing centre, you'll spend no more than an hour while your inspector looks over your car and checks off criteria.

Like road tax or insurance, a valid MOT certificate is just another cost of driving in the UK. This article breaks down how much you can expect to spend when getting your car tested.

What is the average current cost of an MOT?

The true cost of an MOT test depends on the type of car you drive, where you are in the country and the service centre you visit. On the high end, motorcycles cost a maximum of £29.65 to get tested. Regular passenger cars cost £54.85.   
According to data, the average across all auto manufacturers is £41.50. Infiniti vehicles average the lowest (£39.03), while Teslas and Smart cars average the highest (£42.33 and £42.63, respectively) in the data set.   
Some test centres have been known to charge less than the maximum fee. That's just what the government sets. You might even come across a few charging fees as low as £25 to £30.

When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, logic would follow you'd want to get the best deal possible. We're all for saving a few pounds, but heed our warning: don't let a low MOT price fool you. You definitely want to read reviews first.

Let's break down why reviews are so important:

• Many testing centres are also servicing and repair garages. And unless your previous MOT is still valid, you can't drive it away from the garage because it's no longer roadworthy.
• You have to have your retest at the same garage. That means you may end up paying for repairs the garage deems necessary.
• Driving without an MOT is against the law. If you can't take it elsewhere without a tow, you'll be forced to pay their rates for the repairs.

If your garage offers unusually cheap MOT tests, it's unlikely they're a profitable venture for the business. They probably recoup the money by charging higher prices or tacking on service fees once they reel you in.

More than 300,000 cars fail their first MOT test every year. We aren't saying you'll be one of them. But we're willing to bet some of those people didn't expect to fail theirs, either.

MOT hourly rates

You'll also need to consider hourly rates when looking at MOT prices. The test can include repairs that take longer than an hour to complete.

Depending on where in the country you are and where you have your car serviced, hourly rates will vary. In cities like London that have higher living costs, you can expect them to be much higher.

In general, a franchised garage or national chain will set higher hourly rates than independent local garages. Franchises and larger businesses have higher overhead costs, which they reflect in their hourly prices.

Given these variables, the typical MOT hourly rate could be anywhere between £36 and £234. Nationally, the average hourly rates for independent garages and dealerships/franchises are £56 and £99 per hour, respectively.

Suffice it to say, an MOT test doesn't come cheap. So it's best to do your research and weigh your options beforehand.

Average MOT retest fee

If you fail your MOT test the first time around, you'll need to have it retested. An MOT retest is really a convenience to you — you won't have to retake (or pay for) a full test again.

The good news is you can sometimes get a retest for free. But this depends on the circumstances surrounding your test.   
There are several rules regarding your MOT retest:

• You need to apply for the retest within 21 days of the initial test date.
• You'll have to complete the retest within 60 days of the first test.
• The same garage you had your car inspected at the first time around has to be the one that does the retest.
• For a free MOT retest, your vehicle has to meet the standards within 10 working days. Otherwise, you will have to pay a partial retest fee.
• If your previous MOT expires, you can't drive your car to another repair shop.
• If you do decide to use another repair shop, the test centre won't offer you a free one no matter how quickly you return it to them.
• Regardless of your circumstances, you're only entitled to one free retest. All succeeding ones cost money.
• The most a garage can charge you for an MOT retest is half your original MOT fee.

Basically, your test is free if you keep it at the original test centre and the repairs are completed within 10 working days. If not, you may have to pay for a partial retest fee or even a full MOT test fee depending on how long your car is at the garage.

If you can get your car serviced for cheaper at another garage (and you still have last year's MOT), it's better to forfeit the free test and save the money elsewhere. It only costs an additional £20 or so for the retest. If you have to pay it, it isn't the end of the world.

Average MOT cost with repairs

Depending on what your inspector finds, you could find yourself spending a few pounds or several hundred.

To help you understand the variability, let's take a look at some of the most common reasons for failure and how much a repair could run you.

• Lights, reflectors and indicators — A new bulb or reflector could cost as little as £10, but indicators and other electrical components can cost £150+.
• Suspension  — Repairs to your suspension could range from £30 for a link rod or ball joint adjustment, to over £600 for replacing your control arm. If your suspension has a serious problem, expect to spend £1,000 or more.
• Brakes — If all you need are new brake pads, that should cost £75-£150. If, along with replacing the pads, you need discs too, the price can run upwards of £200.
• Tyres — Low-end tyres cost between £45 and £60 each, while performance tyres cost between £200 and £1,000.   
  Impaired visibility — If your windscreen needs replacement due to chips or cracks, it could cost £200-£500.
• Noise, emissions and exhaust — A small fix like tightening a connection can cost as little £20. If you need to replace a part altogether (which is common with modified cars), expect to spend several hundred pounds on the labour and replacement parts.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to accurately predict what you can expect to pay because car repairs and fixes vary wildly, even for small ones. Research shows the average fixes cost just under £150.

One thing we know for sure is luxury cars and exotics will cost more, no matter what. Basic cars (e.g., a Ford or Toyota) will usually be on the lower end of the spectrum.

To pass your test the first time around without retests or repairs, check out our MOT checklist to understand what they test, what they don't and how to prepare.

Full breakdown: How much does an MOT test cost in 2024?

As we mentioned, the true cost of an MOT test depends on several factors, such as the type of vehicle and where you have it tested. If you don't have any major problems, you shouldn't have to worry too much. But if you do, the cost could add up quickly.

Cost of a car MOT test

• Maximum MOT test cost: £54.85
• Average MOT test cost (for cars): £41.50
• Most common cost of a car MOT test: £39 to £43
• MOT retest fee: Up to half the price of your original MOT

Cost of a motorcycle MOT test

• Maximum motorcycle MOT test cost: £29.65

There aren't as many fees associated with a motorcycle MOT. Fixes for MOT test failure are also considerably lower since fewer parts are involved.

Most motorcycles fail their MOT for similar reasons to cars — brakes, tyres, lighting system flaws and steering/suspension top the list. Most of the time, you'll spend less than £100 for repairs.

Cost of an MOT for other vehicles

• Maximum MOT test cost for any vehicle: £124.50

It's unlikely you drive a class 5 vehicle with 16+ seats. And you probably aren't driving an ambulance or playbus (both of which cost £84.65 to test).

Vehicles larger than your typical car, can, or truck will cost £30 to £60 more to get tested. You'll only need to worry about the cost of these if you're a business owner or if you decide to turn an old school bus or ambulance into a camper.

Van MOT cost

• Maximum van MOT cost: £124.50

How much it'll cost to get your van tested depends on its size and how many seats it has. Generally, smaller ones (up to 8 seats) will cost the regular £54.85.

Class 4 vans (those with 9-12 seats) cost £57.30 or £64 to test, depending on whether they involve a seat belt check as well.

Class 5 vans with 13-16 seats cost £59.55 to test. If the inspector also performs a seatbelt installation check, that cost rises to £80.50.

Class 5 vans with over 16 seats cost £80.65 to have an MOT test done, or £124.50 with the seatbelt installation check.

MOT test cost by class types

Here’s a look at the current costs of an MOT test, per the .gov.uk website:

Wrapping up

The MOT test itself may be an inconvenience, but it doesn't cost that much in the grand scheme of things. It's the potential repairs that you have to worry about, and they can cost a pretty penny.

Most of the time, you won't run into any major problems and will be able to drive away with no costs other than the MOT test itself. And if you do have an unexpected expense, it should only be £150 or less.

Want to learn more? These are the questions our users ask us the most.

Do MOT test costs vary based on the type of vehicle?

MOT costs vary significantly based on the type of vehicle you have tested. For cars, the cost ranges from £39 to £54.85, while testing a class 5 van with over 16 seats can cost up to £124.50. Motorcycles tend to fall on the lower end of the spectrum, as fewer parts are involved in their MOT tests and repairs.

Is there a specific time of the year when MOT tests are cheaper?

There isn't any data that shows it's advantageous to get an MOT test at a specific time of the year. However, some garages may offer discounts during certain times (e.g., for holidays). If you're looking for a better deal, make sure to ask around and read up on online reviews before booking your appointment with any particular garage.

And remember: the cheapest time to get it is within the last month before your MOT expires. That way, it stretches as long as possible.

Are there any discounts or promotions available for MOT tests?

There are MOT discount codes all over the internet at various garages and independent websites. Before booking your appointment, make sure to search around for the best deal. Some garages may even offer a loyalty program with reduced rates for repeat annual customers.

What factors can influence the price of an MOT test?

Several factors impact the price of an MOT test. These include the type and size of your vehicle, the condition it's in and where you have it tested. If you're bringing a large van for testing, it will cost more than your average street car. And if you need to pay for any labour, cost of living where you have it tested can also influence the price.

Are there any additional fees associated with MOT tests?

There aren't any fees associated with the MOT test itself, although some testing centres charge up to a £70 service fee. However, if you fail, there will be a retest fee of up to half the price of your original MOT. If you need to make repairs to your vehicle to pass the test the second time around, you'll need to pay for labour and parts.

Do MOT retests cost the same as the initial test?

MOT retests are free if you retest your vehicle within 10 days of the test and it doesn't leave the garage. If you take it elsewhere to get fixed, the garage will charge you up to 50% of the total cost of your original MOT. If you wait more than 21 days to apply for a retest or 60 days to have it administered, you'll have to pay the full amount.

Are there any penalties for late or overdue MOT tests?

If an officer catches you driving without an MOT, you could be fined up to £1000 (or up to £2,000 for serious flaws) and given 3 points on your driving licence for each offence. That means if you have issues with your brakes, tyres and lighting system — all of which can be caught during a MOT test — you could end up with 9 penalty points.

Can I negotiate the cost of an MOT test with the testing centre?

You could try negotiating the cost of an MOT test with the testing centre, but it's not very likely they'll agree to a lower price. Since the price is relatively small already, they probably won't budge for just £10. If you're looking for a better deal, your best bet is to shop around and find a garage that offers discounts or promotions for their MOT tests.

Is there a price difference between private testing centre and authorised MOT stations?

Authorised testing facilities (ATFs) are the same as any other MOT test centres, so it doesn't matter what they call themselves. They're regulated by the government and thus have a set price. Some facilities may charge up to £70 as a service charge, but that's the maximum they're legally allowed to.

Do vehicle age and condition affect MOT test pricing?

Vehicle age and condition don't affect the price of an MOT test. They only affect your car's likelihood of passing. Since older vehicles are less likely to pass, they're also more likely to cost money in other areas like repairs.

If you have an older car and are concerned about the cost of an MOT test, it's a good idea to get a general inspection around the six-month mark. If you get an extra check-up between MOT tests, you'll be able to fix problems before they worsen. And you can avoid spending money on repairs due to age-related issues that could have been prevented with regular maintenance.

Are there any DIY options available to reduce MOT test expenses?

Before your MOT test, you can (unofficially) run a DIY test to look for some of the most common issues. While you won't be able to check for more complex technical faults, you can visually inspect things like tyres, brakes and lights before sending it off for the official test. If you spot anything that might cause you to fail, you can fix it at whichever mechanic you like. That way, you can be sure you're getting a good price.

Can I book an MOT test online, and does it affect the cost?

Most car owners choose to book their MOT test online out of convenience. Sometimes, you'll get a better rate online if you can find an applicable discount code. It's worth noting that it's always better to research garages in your area before going to one, so booking online also gives you the opportunity to compare beforehand.

Are there any government subsidies or financial assistance for MOT tests?

At present, there aren't any government subsidies or financial assistance programs available specifically for MOT tests. However, some garages may offer discounted rates if you're an NHS worker, military service member, student or senior citizen. Search online before booking your appointment to see if there are any deals that apply to you.

How frequently should I expect to pay for MOT tests?

You only have to pay once per year for an MOT test. Your vehicle must pass an annual test if it's over three years old. Some garages may suggest twice-yearly MOTs for high-mileage vehicles (the MOT test is for your safety, after all), but legally speaking, you only have to do one per year.

Can I transfer an existing MOT test to another vehicle, and will it impact the cost?

Since the MOT test indicates whether a particular vehicle is roadworthy at a given point in time, it cannot be transferred to other vehicles. Every vehicle must have its own valid MOT test (with no exceptions). However, if you're selling or buying a vehicle with an existing MOT test, the new owner won't need to pay for a new one until its expiration date rolls around. In this case, the cost of the test hasn't changed, but you may have saved money by avoiding an additional test.

Do electric or hybrid vehicles have different MOT testing costs?

MOT tests are usually at a fixed price. Plus, they have a price ceiling. Although it's a lot less work for a mechanic to check an electric vehicle, EVs and hybrids won't cost any less to have their MOT test. And if they do, it won't be by much (a few dollars at most).