Contents
The short answer
An MOT is a yearly safety test for most cars over three years old, and only authorised test stations can do it. The most a garage can charge for a car test is set by the government. Repairs are not licensed, but a garage must do the work with reasonable care and skill.
When does my car need an MOT?
A new car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration. After that it needs one every year. You can book up to a month, minus a day, before the old one runs out and still keep the same renewal date.
Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000. The exception is driving to a pre-booked test or to a garage for repairs. Northern Ireland runs its own test, so check nidirect.gov.uk if you live there.
How much does an MOT cost?
The government sets the most a test station can charge. At the time of writing, the limit for a car is £54.85, and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle. Many garages charge less. There is no VAT on the test fee.
Check GOV.UK for the current limit, because it can change. Be careful of a cheap MOT that is used to sell you repairs.
What does an MOT check?
The test looks at safety and exhaust emissions. A tester checks things such as lights, tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, seatbelts, mirrors, the windscreen and wipers, the body and the exhaust.
It does not check the condition of your engine, clutch or gearbox. A car can pass an MOT and still be unreliable. If you want a full health check, ask for a service as well.
What do the MOT results mean?
Each fault is graded. The grade decides whether your car passes.
- Dangerous: there is a direct risk to safety. The car fails and should not be driven until it is repaired.
- Major: the fault could affect safety. The car fails.
- Minor: not serious. The car passes, but the fault is noted and worth fixing.
- Advisory: something to watch. The car passes, but it may get worse.
What happens if my car fails?
You will get a list of what failed. If the car is left at the test station for repair, or you bring it back within 10 working days, the retest is usually free or cheaper. The details depend on the garage, so ask when you book.
You do not have to have the repairs done at the test station. You can take the car anywhere. For a large bill, a second opinion is sensible and no one should be offended.
How do I choose a garage?
A garage that does MOTs is regulated for that test. Its repair and service work is not licensed. So you need to look for other signs of a good garage.
Ask friends for recommendations and read recent reviews for patterns. Look for a garage that is accredited to the Motor Ombudsman's Service and Repair Code. That gives you a complaints route short of going to court.
Servicing at an independent garage does not automatically cancel a manufacturer's warranty. The service should follow the maker's schedule, use suitable parts, and be recorded. Keep the invoices and stamps.
How do I get a fair quote?
- Ask for an itemised written estimate before you agree to any work.
- Set a limit above which the garage must phone you first.
- Ask whether parts are original, matching quality or used.
- Ask what guarantee covers the parts and the labour.
- Ask whether diagnosis time is charged, and whether it comes off the bill if you go ahead.
What are my rights if a repair goes wrong?
A repair is a service, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 covers it. The garage must use reasonable care and skill. If you agreed no price, you only have to pay a reasonable one. If no time was agreed, the work must be done in a reasonable time.
If the repair was poor, you can ask the garage to do it again, or to cut the price. If you did not agree to extra work, you can dispute paying for it. The garage must take reasonable care of your car while it has it, and a sign saying it is not responsible does not change that.
Ask for your old parts back and keep the itemised invoice. Put complaints in writing.
What if the garage will not put it right?
Ask for the garage's formal complaints process. If the garage is accredited, take it to the Motor Ombudsman once the garage has given its final answer, or after eight weeks. An independent engineer's report can help as evidence.
If you paid by credit card and the repair cost more than £100, ask your card provider about a Section 75 claim. For other cards, ask about a chargeback. Trading Standards deals with misleading prices, and Citizens Advice can explain your next steps. If you disagree with a bill, you can pay it under protest to get your car back and settle the dispute afterwards.
How do I check a car's MOT history before I buy?
The government's MOT history service is free. Type in the registration and you can see every past test, the mileage recorded each time, and the advisories. Mileage that does not rise steadily between tests is worth asking about.
Check before you buy
A run of advisories for the same fault that never gets fixed can tell you how the car has been looked after. It is free to check, so always do it.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is an MOT?
- The legal maximum for a car is set by the government. At the time of writing it is £54.85, and many garages charge less. Check GOV.UK for the current figure.
- Can I drive my car if it fails its MOT?
- Not if it has a dangerous fault. If your old MOT has not run out and the fault is not dangerous, you can drive. Otherwise you may only drive to a pre-booked test or to repairs.
- Does servicing at an independent garage void my warranty?
- Generally no, if the service follows the manufacturer's schedule, uses suitable parts and is recorded. Keep the invoices as proof.
- Do I have to repair my car where it was tested?
- No. You can take it anywhere. For a big bill, a second opinion is a sensible step.
- What is the difference between an advisory and a fail?
- An advisory is a warning and the car still passes. A major or dangerous fault means the car fails. A dangerous fault means you should not drive it.
- Can I check a car's MOT history for free?
- Yes. The government's MOT history service shows past results, recorded mileage and advisories from the registration number.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the LocalListed editorial team. It describes UK regulation and consumer protections in general terms and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and change over time: always check the position with the named regulator before relying on it.
