MOT Centres in the UK
The MOT booked before the reminder became a fine, a test while you wait with a coffee, the van's class 7, the motorhome that most centres cannot lift, a service and MOT in one visit, or a test-only centre with nothing to sell you: find the MOT centres near you and what each one tests.
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Finding a good MOT centre in the UK
An MOT is the annual test that cars, vans and motorcycles over three years old must pass to stay on the road: an inspection of the brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, emissions, seatbelts, bodywork, mirrors, wipers and the rest against a set standard, carried out by a DVSA-approved tester at an authorised centre and recorded online. The fee is capped by law — £54.85 for a car, £58.60 for a class 7 van up to 3.5 tonnes, £29.65 for a motorcycle — and many centres charge less; the test takes 45 minutes to an hour and can be booked up to a month before the current certificate expires without losing any days.
Centres come in two kinds. Test-only centres, including many council and fleet stations, do not carry out repairs, so they have no reason to fail you; garages test and repair, which is convenient when something fails and worth watching when it does. Either way a failure comes with a list of the defects, the car can be retested free or for a small fee within ten working days at the same centre once repaired, and a car with dangerous defects cannot be driven away. Larger vans, motorhomes and campervans need a class 7 or class 4 test on a longer ramp, which fewer centres have.
The listings here show each centre's classes tested, hours, whether it is test-only or a garage, services and contact details, so you can see who is nearby, who tests vans and motorhomes, and where drivers in your town go for a straight test.
What MOT centres offer
MOT tests: class 4 cars and small vans, class 7 vans between 3 and 3.5 tonnes, class 1 and 2 motorcycles, and class 4 motorhomes and campervans where the ramp allows.
While-you-wait and same-day: tests booked by the hour with a waiting room, and same-day slots for the certificate that ran out.
Service and MOT: an interim or full service combined with the test at a package price, with the service done first so it passes.
Retests and repairs: free or reduced retests within ten working days at the same centre, and repairs of MOT failures at garages.
Extras: pre-MOT checks, tyres and brakes, diagnostics, air conditioning, and reminders by text a month before the test is due.
Before you book an MOT
- Check the due date on the government's MOT history site and book up to a month early to keep the date.
- Check the easy fails yourself: bulbs, wipers, washer fluid, tyre tread and pressures, the horn, and warning lights.
- Choose test-only if you want an independent verdict, or a garage if you want a failure fixed on the spot.
- Ask the price; it is capped at £54.85 for a car and many centres charge £35 to £45.
- For a van over 3 tonnes, a motorhome or a campervan, confirm the centre tests class 7 or has the ramp.
- Ask about the retest policy and what a partial retest costs before you agree to repairs.
What an MOT costs in the UK
The maximum MOT fee is set by law: £54.85 for a car, £58.60 for a class 7 van, £29.65 for a motorcycle and £54.85 for a motorhome, and centres may charge less — £30 to £45 is common for a car, with online booking discounts and free tests as a loss leader at some garages. A retest within ten working days is free at most centres for many items and at most £27.43 for a full retest; a service and MOT package runs £120 to £220 for an interim service and £180 to £320 for a full; a pre-MOT check £20 to £40. Repairs are separate and quoted.
The cheapest MOT is not the one with the free test if the garage then finds £400 of work; the test-only centre at £45 is often the better deal.
How do I find an MOT centre near me?+
Look at the MOT centres listed for your town, which show the classes tested, hours, whether they are test-only or a garage, prices and reviews. Book up to a month before your certificate expires, ask the price against the £54.85 cap, and pick a test-only station if you want a verdict with nothing to sell.
How much does an MOT cost?+
At most £54.85 for a car, £58.60 for a class 7 van and £29.65 for a motorcycle, by law, and many centres charge £30 to £45 for a car; a retest within ten working days is free or up to £27.43. Service-and-MOT packages run £120 to £320 depending on the service.
When is my MOT due?+
Three years after first registration, then every year on the anniversary of the last test; the exact date and the full history are free on the government's check-MOT-history site with the registration. You can test up to a month before, minus a day, and keep the same renewal date; driving without a valid MOT risks a £1,000 fine and invalid insurance.
What does an MOT check?+
Brakes, steering and suspension, tyres and wheels, lights and indicators, emissions and exhaust, seatbelts and seats, mirrors, wipers and washers, the horn, bodywork and structure for corrosion, doors, the registration plates and the VIN, and warning lights for airbags, ABS and the engine. It does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox condition; that is a service.
What happens if my car fails its MOT?+
You get a list of the defects graded dangerous, major or minor; a car with dangerous defects must not be driven, one with major defects fails and must be repaired and retested, and minors pass with advisories. Retest at the same centre within ten working days is free for most items or up to £27.43 for a full retest; you can have repairs done elsewhere and return.
Where can I get a class 7 or motorhome MOT?+
Vans between 3 and 3.5 tonnes need a class 7 test and motorhomes and campervans a class 4 on a ramp long enough for them, which fewer centres have; look for class 7 or motorhome in the listings and ring to confirm the ramp length and the weight. Council and fleet test stations often test them.
How do I get my business listed?+
It is free. Add your business in about two minutes to appear on this page and your local town directory. Upgrade to Featured for £2.49 a month to sit above the free listings.