How Much Does an MOT Cost?
The MOT fee is capped nationally by the DVSA, so no garage anywhere can charge more than the set maximum for your vehicle class. Below that ceiling, prices differ, and what happens after the test differs a great deal more. Give us a ring and we will tell you exactly what we charge.
What we charge
The DVSA sets a legal maximum for every vehicle class and no test centre can charge above it. What we charge sits within that, and the quickest way to get the exact figure for your vehicle is to ring us or send a message. We will also tell you honestly whether we can fit you in the same day.
Ask us what we chargeWhat is not included in the fee
The fee covers the test itself and nothing else. It is an inspection, not a repair. If your car fails, the cost of putting it right is separate, and that is where the real variation between garages sits.
- •Any repairs needed to pass. We quote before doing anything, never after.
- •A service. An MOT is not a service and does not check oil, filters or the engine generally.
- •Advisory work. Advisories are things heading towards failure, not things failing now.
What a retest costs
If your car fails, the retest rules are set nationally, and they are worth knowing because they can save you the whole fee.
- •Free retest if you leave the car at the test centre and it is repaired and retested before the end of the next working day.
- •Free partial retest if you take the car away and bring it back within ten working days, for a specific list of items.
- •Full fee again if you come back after ten working days.
Why MOT prices differ between garages
Because the test is a way of getting your car through the door. A garage that discounts the MOT is usually hoping to do the repair work that follows. That is not automatically a bad deal, and it is genuinely cheaper if the car passes. The thing worth asking is what happens if it fails, whether you get the failure list in writing, and whether you are free to take the car elsewhere for the repair. We put everything in writing and quote before starting, and you are free to take the car anywhere.
What gets checked in an MOT?
Lights & Signals
- Headlights, alignment, condition, and operation
- Brake lights and rear lights
- Indicators front and rear
- Hazard lights
- Number plate light
Brakes
- Brake pedal feel and travel
- Brake pad and disc thickness
- Handbrake operation and efficiency
- Brake fluid condition (advisory if deteriorated)
Steering & Suspension
- Steering column and rack condition
- Wheel bearings and joints
- Shock absorbers and springs
- Tyres, tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), condition, and pressure
Visibility
- Windscreen, cracks or chips in the driver's line of sight
- Wiper blades, condition and operation
- Mirrors, presence and condition
- Horn operation
Emissions & Exhaust
- Exhaust emissions test (CO levels, hydrocarbons)
- Exhaust system, leaks, security, and condition
- Catalytic converter presence and condition
Body & Structure
- Seatbelts, all seats, condition and locking mechanism
- Seats, security and condition
- Doors, latches, hinges, and operation
- Body panels, no sharp edges or excessive corrosion
Pass, Fail, or Advisory?
Pass
Your vehicle meets the legal minimum standard. Your digital certificate is sent to the DVLA automatically.
Fail
One or more items do not meet the standard. We'll tell you exactly what failed and give you a quote to fix it.
Advisory
Items that don't fail but need monitoring. We'll flag these clearly so you know what to keep an eye on.
Ready to book your MOT?
Walk-ins welcome at 430 Burdett Road, Bow, London E3 4JS.