How much does an MOT cost?

The maximum MOT fee by vehicle

These are maximums. GOV.UK puts it simply: there is a maximum amount MOT test stations can charge, and it depends on the type of vehicle. The full table also covers taxis, minibuses, buses and other vehicle types. Northern Ireland has its own system.

Why the price you are quoted can differ

Because the fee is a ceiling, each test station chooses its own price up to that limit. It is worth comparing a few garages near you. If a garage offers an MOT bundled with a service, compare what is actually included, not just the headline price.

What a retest costs

If your car fails, what you pay to have it tested again depends on where the repairs are done and how quickly you come back:

• Left at the test centre for repair and retested within 10 working days: only the failed items are rechecked, and there is no fee.
• Taken away for repair and brought back within 10 working days: you can be charged a partial retest fee.
• After 10 working days: you need a full retest, which means paying the full MOT fee again.

A short list of simple items can also be rechecked free if you return to the same test centre by the end of the next working day. GOV.UK has the list. See what happens if your car fails its MOT.

How to avoid paying more than you need to

• Compare two or three MOT test stations near you before you book.
• Check your expiry date first. Testing up to a month (minus a day) early keeps your renewal date: see when your MOT is due.
• Ask what happens if the car fails: where the repair can be done, and whether the retest is included.
• Look over the basics before the test (lights, wipers, tyres, horn). A blown bulb is an easy fail to avoid.