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MOT Cost Calculator

Check these items before your MOT to avoid common failures (saves £50-£300 in repairs):

Compare quotes from different garages to find best value:

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Maximum MOT Fees 2025/26

Vehicle Type Maximum Fee Typical Price Potential Savings
Car (up to 8 seats) £54.85 £35-£45 £10-£20
Motorcycle (up to 200cc) £29.65 £20-£25 £5-£10
Motorcycle (over 200cc) £37.80 £25-£32 £6-£13
Van (up to 3,500kg) £58.60 £40-£50 £9-£19
Motor home (Class IV) £54.85 £45-£52 £3-£10
Motor home (Class VII) £58.60 £48-£55 £4-£11

💡 Price Tip

These are MAXIMUM prices set by DVSA. Many garages charge below maximum - national chains like Halfords and Kwik Fit often run promotional deals £29.99-£39.99. Always compare at least 3 garages before booking.

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Top 5 MOT Failure Reasons UK 2025

Failure Category % of Failures Common Issues DIY Fix Cost
💡 Lights & Signalling 30% Broken bulbs, incorrect aim, indicators £3-£15/bulb
🔧 Suspension 20% Worn shock absorbers, springs, bushes £80-£180/side
🛑 Brakes 18% Worn pads/discs, brake fluid, handbrake £60-£150
🛞 Tyres 15% Tread below 1.6mm, cuts, bulges £50-£100/tyre
💨 Emissions 12% DPF, catalytic converter, excessive smoke £100-£600

🔍 Pre-MOT Check Tip

Check lights, tyres (20p coin test), wipers, and horn before your MOT. These easy DIY checks prevent 60% of common failures and save £50-£200 in garage repair charges.

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Free MOT Retest Rules UK

If your car fails the MOT, you can get a FREE partial retest if you meet ALL these conditions:

Condition Requirement If Not Met
Same Garage Return to the SAME test centre Pay full MOT fee (£54.85)
Time Limit Within 10 WORKING days (excludes weekends/bank holidays) Pay full MOT fee
Repairs Only Only repair the FAILED items (not advisories) Full retest required
Documentation Bring VT30 refusal certificate May be charged

💰 Retest Savings Example

Smart strategy: Decline garage's repair quote, get VT30 certificate, shop around for competitive repair prices from independent mechanics (typically 30-50% cheaper), repair within 9 days, return for FREE retest. Saves £50-£150 on average.

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MOT Defect Categories Explained

Category Result Can You Drive? Action Required
Minor PASS ✅ Yes Repair soon, monitor before next MOT
Major FAIL ✅ Yes (if current MOT valid) Repair required before pass
Dangerous FAIL ❌ No - Illegal to drive Immediate repair or trailer transport

⚠️ Dangerous Defects Warning

If your car fails with a DANGEROUS defect (e.g., broken suspension spring, failed brakes, tyre below 1mm tread), it is illegal to drive. You must repair immediately or transport on a trailer. Driving with dangerous defects = prosecution + insurance invalidated.

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7 Smart UK MOT Strategies That Save £50-£350/Year

🛒 1. Shop Around For MOT Prices - Save £10-£25 Per Test

DVSA sets MAXIMUM fees but garages can charge less. National chains (Halfords £39.99, Kwik Fit £34.99 promotional) often undercut independent garages. Check 3+ quotes before booking. Online booking saves £5-£10 extra. Use Google "cheap MOT [your town]" to find deals.

Real example: Birmingham driver saves £18/year by booking Kwik Fit £34.99 vs dealership £53 = £90 saved over 5 years.

🔍 2. Pre-MOT Vehicle Check - Avoid £50-£300 Failure Repairs

35-40% of MOT tests result in failure. Most common failures are EASILY preventable with 30-minute DIY check: lights (all bulbs work), tyres (20p coin test for 1.6mm tread), wipers, horn, screenwash, number plates. Replace bulbs yourself £3-£15 vs garage £12-£25.

Real example: Driver fixes 2 bulbs (£13) and tyre (£42 online) before MOT = PASSES. Without check: fails, garage quotes £185 for same work + captive pricing.

📋 3. Fix Previous MOT Advisories - Prevent £100-£400 Emergency Costs

Check gov.uk/check-mot-history after every MOT. Advisories predict 50%+ of next year's failures. Fix proactively during year (competitive quotes) vs waiting until failure (emergency garage pricing). "Brake pads wearing thin" advisory = fix at £120 now vs £220 emergency next year.

Real example: Driver addresses 4 advisories over 6 months (£323 spread payments) vs ignoring = £465 emergency failures next MOT. Saves £142 + first-time pass.

🔄 4. Use Free Retest Within 10 Working Days - Save £54.85

After failure: get VT30 certificate, calculate 10 WORKING day deadline (exclude weekends), repair ONLY failed items, return to SAME garage. Free partial retest vs £54.85 full test. Set phone reminder for deadline. Common mistake: missing deadline by 1-2 days = pay again.

Real example: Driver shops around for brake repair (£110 vs garage £170), returns day 5 for FREE retest. Saves £60 on repair + £54.85 retest = £114.85 total.

📅 5. Book MOT 1 Month Early - Convenience + Early Defect Detection

UK law allows MOT up to 1 month before expiry - you KEEP the original anniversary date. Benefits: quieter garage periods (promotional deals), time to shop for repairs if fail, old MOT valid while arranging fixes. Test on expiry date = panic booking, premium prices.

Real example: Driver tests 4 weeks early at £29.99 promotional vs expiry-day dealership £52. Failure found = 4 weeks to shop competitive repairs vs 1-day panic.

⭐ 6. Choose DVSA Approved Garages With High Reviews

Verify garage at gov.uk/find-mot-test-centre. Check Google reviews (4.5+ stars, mentions "fair testing"). Some garages over-fail to sell repairs. If failure seems wrong, get second opinion before paying. Valid test at different DVSA garage = potential pass if first was unfair.

Real example: Driver's "unfair failure" at dodgy garage (£580 quoted repairs) passes with zero failures at reputable garage next day. £38 second test vs £580 unnecessary repairs.

🔧 7. Bundle MOT With Service For Package Discounts - Save £20-£60

If service genuinely due at same time as MOT, package deals save £20-£60. "MOT + Oil Service £99" vs £39 MOT + £80 service separately = £119. Only bundle if BOTH actually needed - don't get early service just for "free MOT" (you're paying anyway).

Real example: Driver books Halfords "MOT + Interim Service £89" package vs separate £39.99 + £74.99 = £114.98. Saves £25.98 + one visit convenience.

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7 Costly UK MOT Mistakes That Waste £50-£600/Year

❌ 1. Not Shopping Around - Overpay £10-£25 Per Test

60%+ of drivers book at nearest/usual garage without comparing prices. MOT varies £25+ for IDENTICAL test (all DVSA approved = same standards). "Loyalty" to expensive garage costs £15-£25/year with zero benefit. 5 minutes comparison online saves £100-£250 over 10 years.

❌ 2. Ignoring MOT Advisories - Emergency Repairs £100-£400

70% of drivers don't check advisories after test. Advisories predict 50%+ of next year's failures. "Brake pads wearing thin" ignored = £240 brake pads + discs failure next year (pads wore into discs) vs £140 proactive pads-only fix. Check gov.uk/check-mot-history after every MOT.

❌ 3. Missing Free Retest 10-Day Window - £54.85 Wasted

Common errors: miscounting working days (excludes weekends/bank holidays), repairing at different garage, fixing advisories as well as failures. Any mistake = pay full £54.85 again. Calculate deadline immediately after failure, set phone reminder, return day 8-9 for safety margin.

❌ 4. Driving Without Valid MOT - £1,000 Fine + Insurance Invalid

3+ million UK vehicles driven without valid MOT. Penalty: £1,000 max fine + insurance AUTOMATICALLY invalid (you're driving uninsured = +£300 fine + 6 points). ONLY legal to drive without MOT: to pre-booked test or repair. Set annual reminder 4 weeks before expiry.

❌ 5. Not Checking MOT History Before Buying Used Car - £200-£1,000 Hidden Costs

gov.uk/check-mot-history is FREE - shows all tests, failures, advisories, mileage for years. 60%+ of used car buyers don't check. Reveals: clocked mileage, persistent advisories (expensive repairs imminent), recent failures bodge-repaired to sell. Use history to negotiate price down £300-£800.

❌ 6. Using Non-DVSA Approved Garages - Invalid Certificate + Fines

Some "cheap MOT £25" ads are from unlicensed garages. Non-approved certificates are INVALID - if checked by police/insurer = same as no MOT (£1,000 fine + uninsured). Red flags: Cash only, no DVSA signage, via Facebook ads. ALWAYS verify at gov.uk/find-mot-test-centre.

❌ 7. Accepting MOT Garage Panic Repair Quotes - Overcharged £80-£200

After failure, many accept garage's immediate quote (feel pressured). MOT garages charge 20-50% above independent mechanics (captive customer pricing). Smart: decline quote, take VT30, shop 2-3 independent quotes, repair cheapest, return for FREE retest. Saves £80-£200 per failure.

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Official UK MOT Resources

Resource What It Does Link
Check MOT Status View expiry date, test history, advisories gov.uk/check-mot-status
Find MOT Test Centre Locate DVSA approved garages near you gov.uk/find-mot-test-centre
Check MOT History View complete test history for any vehicle gov.uk/check-mot-history
Vehicle Safety Recalls Check for manufacturer safety recalls gov.uk/vehicle-recalls
Which? MOT Guide Independent consumer advice and price surveys which.co.uk/reviews/mot-tests
Citizens Advice MOT rights and complaints procedures citizensadvice.org.uk
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is an MOT test UK 2025?
Maximum MOT fees 2025/26: Car (up to 8 seats) = £54.85, Motorcycle (up to 200cc) = £29.65, Motorcycle (over 200cc) = £37.80, Van (up to 3,500kg) = £58.60, Motor home = £54.85. These are MAXIMUM prices - many garages charge less (£35-£45 typical for cars). National chains like Halfords and Kwik Fit often run promotional deals £29.99-£39.99. Always shop around for best price but ensure garage is DVSA approved at gov.uk/find-mot-test-centre.
Is MOT retest free UK?
Yes - free partial retest if you meet ALL conditions: (1) Return to the SAME garage, (2) Within 10 WORKING days (excludes weekends and bank holidays), (3) ONLY repair the failed items (don't fix advisories or other issues), (4) Bring your VT30 refusal certificate. The partial retest only checks the items that previously failed. If you repair at a different garage, or miss the 10-day window, or repair additional items, you pay the full MOT fee again (£54.85 for cars). Tip: Shop around for competitive repair quotes from independent mechanics during the 10-day window - often 30-50% cheaper than MOT garage quotes.
What is the most common MOT failure UK?
Top 5 MOT failures 2025: 1) Lights (30%) - broken bulbs, faulty indicators, incorrect headlight aim, number plate light. 2) Suspension (20%) - worn shock absorbers, damaged coil springs, perished bushes. 3) Brakes (18%) - worn pads below minimum, scored discs, contaminated brake fluid, ineffective handbrake. 4) Tyres (15%) - tread depth below 1.6mm legal minimum, cuts/bulges in sidewall, uneven wear. 5) Emissions (12%) - failed emissions test, blocked DPF (diesel), catalytic converter issues, excessive smoke. Pre-MOT tip: Check all lights, use 20p coin for tyre tread test (edge should disappear), test wipers and horn. These DIY checks prevent 60% of common failures.
When is my MOT due UK?
Check at gov.uk/check-mot-status - enter your registration number. Shows expiry date, test history, advisories, and mileage at each test. New cars need first MOT after 3 years from registration, then annually. Early MOT: You can test up to 1 month before expiry and keep the same anniversary date (e.g., expires 15 March, test 15 February = new expiry 15 March next year). DVSA sends email/text reminders if you opt-in at gov.uk. Penalty for no MOT: Up to £1,000 fine + most insurance policies automatically invalid (you're driving uninsured = additional £300 fine + 6 points). Set phone reminder 4 weeks before expiry.
What happens if my car fails MOT UK?
Minor defects: Car PASSES with advisories - monitor and repair before next MOT. Major defects: Car FAILS but you can drive away if your current MOT is still valid. Dangerous defects: Car FAILS and is illegal to drive - must repair immediately or transport on trailer. You receive a VT30 refusal certificate listing all faults. Free retest: Within 10 working days at the same garage if you only repair the failed items. Your current MOT remains valid until its expiry date even if you fail a new test early. Tip: Get competitive repair quotes from independent mechanics during the 10-day window rather than accepting the MOT garage's often-inflated quote.
Can I drive without MOT to a garage UK?
Only legal exceptions: (1) Driving TO a pre-booked MOT test appointment, (2) Driving TO pre-booked repair for MOT failure, then TO retest. Must be the most direct route, no detours. Need valid insurance. Penalty if caught otherwise: Up to £1,000 fine + insurance automatically invalid (you're driving uninsured = £300 additional fine + 6 points). Exception: Vehicles under 3 years old are MOT exempt. Check your MOT status at gov.uk/check-mot-status before any journey. If your MOT has expired and you don't have a pre-booked appointment, consider: mobile MOT service (comes to your home £60-£80), or taxi/transport to garage rather than risking £1,300+ in fines.
How do I check MOT history of a used car?
Use the free government service at gov.uk/check-mot-history - enter the vehicle registration number. Shows 3-8 years of MOT test history including: all test dates, pass/fail results, advisory items, mileage at each test. Essential when buying used cars to check: Mileage going DOWN between tests (clocked/fraud), persistent advisories same issue yearly (expensive repair imminent), recent failure then pass (seller did minimum repair to sell), multiple tests same month (dodgy history). Use MOT history findings to negotiate price down £300-£800 reflecting true condition vs seller's claims. Takes 2 minutes, saves potentially £500-£1,500 in hidden repair costs.
How much does it cost to fix common MOT failures?
Typical repair costs 2025: Headlight/brake light bulb £3-£15 (DIY) or £12-£25 (garage fitted). Wiper blades £10-£25 (DIY). Tyres £50-£100 each fitted. Brake pads only £60-£120 fitted. Brake pads + discs £150-£280 fitted. Shock absorbers £80-£180 per side. Coil springs £60-£120 per side. Exhaust section £100-£250. Catalytic converter £300-£800. DPF clean £150-£350. Money-saving tip: When your car fails MOT, don't accept the garage's immediate quote. Take your VT30 certificate, get 2-3 quotes from independent mechanics (typically 30-50% cheaper), complete repairs within 10 days, return for FREE retest. This commonly saves £80-£200 per failure.

✍️ About This Calculator

This MOT cost calculator and comprehensive guidance is created and maintained by James Richardson, a certified automotive expert with IMI Level 3 qualifications and 12+ years of experience in UK vehicle testing, consumer rights, and automotive cost optimization.

All MOT fees, test requirements, and legal information use official UK 2025/26 data from: DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) maximum fee regulations, free retest rules, common failure statistics (based on 30+ million annual MOT tests), penalty data from Road Traffic Act 1988, and Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 as amended.

Last updated: December 2025 | Review cycle: Quarterly to reflect DVSA fee changes and regulation updates

IMI Level 3 Qualified Institute of the Motor Industry 12+ Years Experience DVSA Data Verified