Cheap MOTs

Cheap MOTs
Tricks to cut costs including DIY checks and hidden council test centres

While the fee for an MOT test itself is relatively modest, the real expense often comes from fixing any issues that arise. However, you might be surprised to learn that affordable MOTs are available through lesser-known council-operated test centers. In this guide, we’ll explore what the MOT test involves, how to find and book a budget-friendly test, and what steps to take if your vehicle needs repairs.

This guide primarily pertains to England, Scotland, and Wales. However, regulations differ in Northern Ireland. For detailed information on MOT rules specific to Northern Ireland, please refer to the relevant section.

The key MOT rules

Initially known as the ‘Ministry of Transport’ test, it’s now commonly referred to as an MOT. Regardless of its name, it remains a crucial safety and legal requirement for cars, motorbikes, and other vehicles.

Driving without an MOT can result in a fine of up to £1,000, and if your vehicle is deemed unfit for the road, the consequences can be even more severe.

To improve your vehicle’s chances of passing and to enhance your safety while minimizing costs, it’s important to be familiar with the regulations.

It’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle has a valid MOT

The test details are stored both in a central database and on a physical certificate. It is up to the vehicle owner to maintain the validity of their certificate; authorities are not responsible for tracking it.

Familiarize yourself with the regulations to improve your car’s likelihood of passing the test and to enhance your safety while saving money.

Don’t book in too early for your MOT test

A vehicle requires a test when it reaches three years old (or four years old in Northern Ireland), and then every year thereafter. Timing is key. If you have the test done in the month leading up to the expiry of the current certificate, the new one will be valid for exactly one year from the original certificate’s expiration date (the earliest date for this is noted on your test certificate).

However, if you have the test completed more than a month before the MOT is due, the new certificate will expire exactly one year from the date of the test, potentially causing you to lose time. Note that Northern Ireland has slightly different rules and procedures for MOTs.

Check when your MOT is due (and get a free reminder)

If you’re uncertain about the date of your next MOT, you can easily find out using the Gov.uk MOT checker tool. Just input your vehicle’s registration number to check the status.

Additionally, you can receive a free MOT reminder a month before your test is scheduled through the Gov.uk website. To set this up, you’ll need to provide an email address or phone number along with the registration number of a vehicle registered in England, Wales, or Scotland. In Northern Ireland, you’ll receive a postal reminder seven weeks prior to the due date.

Always book tests in advance

If your MOT has expired, you are permitted to drive your vehicle to a test center as long as you have scheduled the test ahead of time. Additionally, if your vehicle fails the test, you are generally allowed to drive it from the test station to a repair shop to address the issues that led to the failure, provided the vehicle still complies with all road safety regulations.

Under the rule changes implemented in 2018, if a ‘dangerous’ fault is identified during your car’s MOT test, you cannot drive away, even if your current MOT is still valid. A ‘dangerous’ fault means your car has failed the MOT and poses a threat to road safety or the environment, and it must not be driven until it is fixed. Driving with such a fault could result in a fine of up to £2,500, three penalty points, and a driving ban.

On the other hand, if a ‘major’ fault is discovered, your car will have failed the MOT, but you are allowed to drive away as long as it is to get the necessary repairs done immediately.

Should your car not pass its MOT test, you’ll receive a ‘refusal of an MOT’ certificate, and your vehicle will be recorded in the MOT database. If you believe the failure was unjustified, you have the option to challenge the outcome through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

How much is an MOT?

MOT test fees have a maximum limit—£54.85 for cars—but you can often find them at a lower price.

While companies can charge up to this official ceiling for an MOT, there are frequently cheaper options available. This isn’t unexpected, as many businesses offer lower test prices to attract repair work as well. The highest fees are set at £54.85 for cars, motor caravans, or quad bikes, and £29.65 for regular motorbikes. For a full list, see the Gov.uk website.

First do a DIY MOT of most common fails

Based on DVSA statistics up to March 2023, nearly one-third of cars, vans, and small passenger vehicles failed their MOTs on the first attempt, often due to simple, preventable issues. Fortunately, addressing these problems usually just requires common sense rather than advanced mechanical knowledge. While some issues can be resolved on your own, others may need professional help. However, taking care of these problems before the test is generally more cost-effective than dealing with them afterward.

More than 25% of MOT failures are related to issues with lights, reflectors, and indicators. To avoid this, make sure to inspect your vehicle’s lights and indicators at both the front and back.

The following table highlights the most frequent causes of MOT failures according to DVSA data, along with guidance on how to address them. Please note that while this information is provided by DVSA and RAC, we are ExEconomics are not motoring specialists.

The most common MOT failures – and how to beat them

(1) Percentage of first-time MOT fails, according to DVSA figures for thje year up to March 2023. (2) There are no official figures, but we know these are common reasons for fails.

A brief collection of DVSA videos is available to assist with pre-MOT car checks. Note that these videos were released in 2016 and do not reflect the updates that were implemented in 2018.

Next choose the right MOT test centre

For vehicles with issues, the cost of repairs often far exceeds the fee for an MOT test. A tempting offer like an ‘MOT for £20’ might seem attractive, but it becomes insignificant if you’re facing £1,500 in repair expenses. Hence, the choice of MOT type you should select largely depends on your car’s condition, especially since the updated MOT regulations were introduced in 2018.

Is your car in tip-top condition? Find the cheapest MOT centre

If your car is in excellent shape and you’re confident it won’t break down, try to find the best deal available. It’s a good idea to visit local garages and see if they can offer a comparable price for a test fee you’ve come across.

Here’s a look at the MOT prices charged by major UK service and repair chains as of our April 2024 survey:

• ATS Euromaster – £42.99
• Halfords* – £44.99-£49.99 or free with Halfords Motoring Club Premium membership (£4.99 a month or £49 a year)
• Kwik Fit – £40.50-£54.85 (depends on location and appointment time)
• Mr Clutch Autocentres – £39.99 at participating branches – £41.99-£45.99 at other branches
• National Tyres and Autocare – £44.99

Is your car in moderate condition and likely to need only minor repairs?

If only minor repairs are anticipated, council-operated centers are ideal—refer to the section below about council MOT test centers.

Should the inspection reveal a minor issue, you’ll still pass the MOT and receive your certificate, but an advisory notice will be issued for suggested repairs. These centers won’t perform the repairs themselves. Since the issue is minor, you have the flexibility to determine whether it requires attention. If you decide to proceed with the repair, you can seek quotes from different garages to find the best deal.

Is your car likely to need major repairs?

If you anticipate that your car will require significant repairs, the most effective approach is to conduct thorough research. Identify a reliable garage where you would be comfortable having the repairs done, and then arrange to have the MOT test performed there. Seek recommendations from family and friends, and make calls to various garages. Inform them of the potential issues, and request estimates.

Under the current MOT regulations, if your vehicle fails the test, you might not be able to drive it away. Previously, if significant repairs were needed, there was a trade-off: while going directly to a repair garage was more straightforward, a council MOT might result in fewer points of failure, allowing you to drive the car to another location for repairs.

However, since the rule changes implemented in 2018, if a ‘dangerous’ issue is detected—such as inadequate tyre tread or contaminated brake fluid—you won’t be permitted to drive the vehicle until the problem is resolved. If you go to a council test centre that doesn’t handle repairs, you will need to arrange for towing.

Try hidden council MOT test centres

Many local councils operate their own MOT testing facilities for their fleet vehicles, such as buses and vans.

Legally, these testing centers (excluding those for taxis or Crown vehicles) must be accessible to the public. However, they typically focus solely on testing rather than repairs (always confirm this), making them suitable for vehicles that are generally in good condition and only need minor fixes.

On the other hand, if your car is likely to require significant repairs, you might want to reconsider using these centers. Since the 2018 regulations mandate that vehicles receiving a ‘dangerous’ fail must be repaired before they can be driven away, you could end up having to arrange and pay for transport to get the necessary repairs elsewhere.

Does it make a difference?

Many knowledgeable savers have utilized these test centers, and most report that their vehicles either consistently pass the test or require fewer repairs compared to MOTs conducted at other garages.

Is it a safety compromise?

This isn’t about settling for a subpar MOT just to get your car to pass. Council-operated MOT centers conduct safety inspections with great rigor.

One saver recounts how, after being quoted £700 for MOT repairs by a local dealer, he took his car to a council-run test center where it passed without any needed repairs.

He subsequently reported the dealer to his local Trading Standards, which arranged for a re-test. The car passed again without any repairs. He then contacted the dealer requesting a refund for his test fee due to “non-compliance with the Road Traffic Act,” and successfully received a refund.

If you need to challenge an MOT failure, you can obtain a form from the test center, the Gov.uk website, or the DVSA by calling 0300 123 9000. Submit this form to the DVSA within 14 working days of the test. Should the DVSA choose to re-test your car, you’ll need to pay the full test fee again, but if your appeal is successful, the fee will be refunded.

How to find council MOT test centres near you

Here’s a list of council-operated centers that do not offer repair services. Click on your region below to find the ones closest to you. Since this list is based on user recommendations, be sure to verify each center’s details and MOT status before visiting. Additionally, it’s a good idea to make a reservation in advance.

Keep in mind that according to the MOT regulations updated in 2018, if your vehicle doesn’t pass the test, you may not be able to drive it until necessary repairs are made. This situation could require you to pay for towing if you select a test center that doesn’t offer repair services.

Test centres region-by-region

– Eastern England

– East Midlands

– London

– North-east England

– North-west England

– Scotland

– Southern & south-east England

– South-west England

– Wales

– Western England

– West Midlands

– Yorkshire & Lincolnshire

It’s not only council-run centres that don’t do repairs

Many private garages specialize solely in MOTs without offering repairs, so the same principle applies here. Naturally, many garages conduct both MOTs and repairs with complete honesty and fairness. If you’re using one of these, that’s excellent.

However, if you’re unfamiliar with the MOT process or dissatisfied with your current service, consider exploring this alternative. You might also visit your council’s website to find a list of approved garages.

What to do if your car fails its MOT

If your vehicle doesn’t pass its MOT, you’ll need to have it retested after completing the necessary repairs. The cost of a retest may be free or reduced, depending on the original testing location.

Details about retests are provided on the refusal certificate. For comprehensive information on retests, you can visit the Gov.uk website. The specific steps you’ll need to follow will depend on the nature of the defects, but generally:

+ Retests are free when repaired at a test centre and retested within 10 days…

Retests come at no additional cost if the repairs are carried out at the test centre and the car is brought back for retesting within 10 days. If repairs are performed at a different location, the retest is still free as long as the vehicle is returned to the test centre by the end of the next business day. However, for this to apply, all the failure points must be listed below.

See the full list of failure points which qualify for a free retest

Access panels, battery, bonnet, boot lid, brake pedal anti-slip, doors (including hinges, catches and pillars), drop-sides, electrical wiring, fuel filler cap, headlamp cleaning and levelling devices (that don’t need a headlamp aim check), horn, lamps (excluding headlamp aim), loading door, main beam ‘tell-tale’, mirrors, rear reflectors, registration plates, seatbelts (but not anchorages), seatbelt load limiter, seatbealt pre-tensioner, seats, sharp edges or projections, steering wheel, tailboard, tailgate, towbars (excluding body around anchorage points), tyre pressure monitoring system, vehicle identification number (VIN), windscreen glass, wipers and washers, wheels and tyres (excluding motorbikes and sidecars).

+ Test done at a council centre? Get up to half off retests when…

Repairs can be completed at any location, as long as the vehicle is returned to the original test centre for a partial retest within 10 working days. This applies to any test centre, though it is particularly pertinent to council test centres. Only one partial retest is permitted per full test.

– All other cases – it’s a full-fee test.

In all other circumstances, the retest fee is at the same maximum rate as the full test.

How the MOT rules changed in 2018

As highlighted previously, in May 2018, there were significant changes to the MOT test procedures in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Under the new regulations, if your car is identified with a ‘dangerous’ fault, it may remain at the garage, as you won’t be permitted to drive it away. You’ll need to arrange for repairs at the garage or have the vehicle towed elsewhere. While cars with ‘not roadworthy’ conditions could previously face similar restrictions, the updated rules now include specific checks that can result in your vehicle being taken off the road.

Here’s a summary of the updates:

New defect categories – if you get a ‘dangerous’ fault you won’t be able to drive away. Problems are now categorised as ‘minor’, ‘major’ or ‘dangerous’ – previously, you simply passed or failed.

• A ‘minor‘ fault will not result in an immediate fail, but repairs should be addressed promptly.
• A ‘major‘ fault constitutes a failure, though you’ll be permitted to drive the vehicle to another garage for repairs if it cannot be fixed at the testing location.
• A ‘dangerous‘ fault means you cannot drive the car away; it must be repaired immediately or towed to a different location for repairs.

It’s important to remember that driving your car away from an MOT station after it fails to meet the minimum roadworthiness standards has always been prohibited. So, this isn’t an entirely new rule. However, the updated regulations introduce new ‘dangerous’ fail categories that weren’t assessed before, such as contaminated brake fluid or a floor that is excessively deteriorated or insecure.

Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward list available that outlines these new defect categories. To see how specific faults are classified, you can refer to the MOT inspection manual.

• Stricter rules for diesel cars. New, more stringent emissions regulations for diesel vehicles equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are now in effect. To determine if your vehicle is equipped with a DPF, consult your car’s handbook. During the MOT test, if smoke is detected from the exhaust or if there are signs of tampering with the DPF, your car will receive a significant fault.
• New checks as part of the test. This encompasses checking for visibly underinflated tires, contaminated brake fluid, any fluid leaks that might present an environmental hazard, warning lights for brake pads, missing brake pads or discs, engine malfunction indicator lights, the presence of reverse lights and headlight washers, and whether the vehicle has a ‘first used’ date from 1 September 2009 onwards (which typically indicates when the vehicle was first driven off the factory lot).

Some factors that once led to a failure are now categorized as minor issues, like having the brake fluid level fall below the minimum mark. See the full list of changes.

• New-look MOT certificate. The MOT certificate now categorizes any identified defects into three new classifications: dangerous, major, or minor faults. Additionally, the Government’s MOT history check service has been revised to incorporate these updates.
• Some cars over 40 years old won’t need an MOT. If your car’s over 40 years old (check online with the DVLA) it no longer needs an MOT, unless it’s been modified substantially.

For full details of the changes, go to the Gov.uk website.

MOT rules for Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the government oversees all MOTs, which are conducted at Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centers. These centers do not perform repairs, and there is a set fee along with additional stipulations (such as the requirement for your initial MOT after four years), so opportunities for saving money are constrained. See the NI Direct website for full info and to find your nearest test centre.