How much does an MOT certificate cost?

An MOT certificate is a compulsory document confirming that your vehicle met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law at the time of its test. You will only need a paper copy when you come to sell the car. Otherwise, computerised records are kept to prove that the vehicle has passed its MOT and was deemed roadworthy, and these can be searched online using the vehicle's registration number. But how much does the MOT test cost? ViaMichelin tracks down some answers.

Published 25.03.2021 Reading time: 3 min

Author: Michelin

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What is an MOT?

MOT stands for Ministry of Transport test. It is an official check carried out by a qualified examiner annually to determine whether your vehicle is roadworthy.

How do you book an MOT?

You must use an authorised and approved test centre to get your MOT. Centres that are approved will have a blue sign with 3 white triangles, and only these can carry out an MOT. Contact the MOT centre to book the MOT. There is a different process for booking an MOT in Northern Ireland.

How much does an MOT test cost?

The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) sets the maximum amount that MOT test stations can charge for an MOT test. This fee will depend on the type of vehicle.

In 2022, the maximum fee is £54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle. There is no VAT charged on top of the fee. There is a complete list of fees for different vehicle classes on GOV.UK.

Some MOT test centres might charge as little as £30, but it pays to check the reviews and do your research, as the cheapest is not necessarily the best. Never risk skipping an MOT, you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT certificate, and this would also invalidate your car insurance.

What does an MOT test include?

An MOT test involves dozens of checks on your vehicle, including the brakes, the fuel system, mirrors, lights, seatbelts, exhaust and windscreen wipers. The important parts of the car will be checked to make sure that they meet the legally required standards. The test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.

The average MOT test should take up to one hour, but if your vehicle fails the test and is not considered roadworthy, repairs will take longer. You must also be prepared to be without your car for the day, as the test centre might not be able to do ‘while you wait’ tests.

Tip: You can watch the test from a viewing area, but you must not interrupt the tester!

Are there any exemptions?

No, your vehicle can either pass or fail the MOT test. If your vehicle passes, you will receive an MOT certificate from the test centre, and it will be recorded in the MOT database. You might get a list of minor advisory problems to monitor or fix in the future.

If the vehicle fails its MOT, especially if there are ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ problems, you will not be allowed to drive it until they are fixed. You will get a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ from the test centre, and this will be recorded in the MOT database.

If it has failed, you can only drive the vehicle away if your current MOT is still valid and there were no ‘dangerous’ problems listed in the MOT. Otherwise, you will need to get the vehicle repaired before you can drive it.

Tip: If the vehicle fails on a minor point, you will still be able to drive it as long as it meets the minimum standards of roadworthiness, so it is worth getting your MOT test done before the previous year’s certificate expires.

What are the penalties for driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT?

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving, and get 3 penalty points on your license if you drive a vehicle that has failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ problem.

The price of an MOT is capped at a maximum amount for each type of vehicle, but test centres sometimes charge less for the test and make up their fees from repair work. Shop around to find a test centre that fits your needs and budget.