MOT
How Much Does an MOT Cost in 2026?
The DVSA sets a maximum fee for a car MOT test, but garages are free to charge less — and many do. Knowing the rules means you can shop around with confidence and never pay over the odds.
1. The maximum legal fee
For a standard car (up to 8 passenger seats), the maximum MOT fee set by the DVSA is £54.85. No garage can legally charge more than this for the test itself. This fee covers the test only — it does not include any repairs needed to pass. Motorcycles have a lower maximum of £29.65. Class 7 vehicles (light goods vans) are capped at £58.60.
2. Why do some garages charge less?
Garages use MOT tests as a loss leader to attract customers for more profitable repair work. Supermarket-affiliated garages (Halfords Autocentre, Kwik Fit, ATS Euromaster) frequently advertise MOTs for £25–£35, sometimes even lower with online vouchers. The test itself is identical regardless of price — all MOT testers must follow the same DVSA standards.
3. What the fee does and doesn't include
The MOT fee covers the inspection and the pass or fail decision. It does not cover a retest after a failed test, though a partial retest (within 10 working days, at the same garage) is currently free for minor failures. Any repair work — new brake pads, bulbs, tyres — is charged separately. Always ask for a written quote before authorising repairs.
4. How to find a cheaper MOT
Check comparison sites like BookMyGarage or MotorEasy, which aggregate prices from local garages. Many DVSA-approved garages list promotional prices online. Avoid main dealerships for MOTs — they typically charge the maximum and add administration fees. An independent garage or national chain is almost always cheaper for the test itself.
5. Booking early to keep your renewal date
You can book your MOT up to one calendar month (minus one day) before the current expiry date, and your new certificate will still expire on the same date next year. For example, testing on 16 September when your MOT expires on 17 October means your next expiry date is still 17 October — you lose no time from your existing certificate.
Check when your MOT is due
Use Kermo to turn the information in this guide into a practical vehicle or fuel check.
Check when your MOT is due