Car Care Guides

MOT costs: test fees, repairs and offers

Information for drivers in England.

An advertised MOT price tells you the cost of the test, not necessarily the whole workshop visit. Check your vehicle class, the offer conditions and how any further work will be agreed.

Quick answer

Check the test price for your vehicle class and keep it separate from repairs or servicing. Compare the total and conditions before booking.

  • Confirm the correct test class.
  • Separate the test fee from other work.
  • Review the complete offer conditions.
Three parts of an MOT bill

Test fee

The test has a class-specific maximum fee; a garage may charge less.

Additional work

Servicing and repairs are separate unless expressly included.

Retest charge

Ask which retest arrangements apply to your circumstances.

How much does a garage charge for an MOT?

For an ordinary Class 4 car, the statutory maximum test fee is £54.85. Garages can charge less. Compare the current price for your vehicle and separate the MOT fee from servicing, diagnosis or repairs.

Do motorcycles and vans have the same MOT price?

No. The statutory maximum depends on the vehicle class; a standard motorcycle is £29.65 and Class 7 goods vehicles are £58.60. Sidecars and some passenger vehicles have different limits. Confirm the class before comparing prices.

Is VAT added to the MOT test fee?

The statutory MOT test fee is not subject to VAT. Other garage work can be treated differently, so ask for an itemised total showing the test and any additional services.

Why is one garage's MOT cheaper than another?

Compare the offer conditions, appointment arrangements and separate charges. A discounted test may be linked to another service. Do not compare a test-only price with a package that includes maintenance.

Does the MOT price include fixing a failure?

Usually a test quote is for the test itself unless repairs are expressly included. Ask for separate approval and pricing for any additional work. Set a contact number and spending limit before leaving the car.

How much does Halfords charge for an MOT?

Check Halfords' current quotation for your vehicle, location and offer conditions. We do not maintain a live competitor price feed, so a fixed figure here could mislead you. Compare the complete booking price and any conditions.

Will I pay if the vehicle cannot be tested?

Ask about the station's terms and the reason the test cannot proceed. Confirm any charge before rearranging, especially if access, vehicle condition or a missed appointment is involved.

Where can I see local MOT prices?

Use the MOT garage search on this page and check the current price and vehicle applicability in the booking journey. Listed availability and offers can change before you confirm.

Check your MOT status and expiry date before planning your next test.

Official guidance and further reading

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab or window), where applicable.

BookMOTGarage for drivers

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Find a garage, manage your bookings and keep your vehicle records close at hand with the BookMOTGarage app.

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