Car price guide
How much does a car MOT cost?
Maximum fee, set by law
Figures last reviewed 26 September 2026.
An MOT is the yearly test of a car’s roadworthiness and emissions, needed once a car is three years old. The price is capped by law: a test centre can charge less than the maximum, but never more - and many charge well under it.
The maximum MOT fee
| Vehicle | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| Car (up to 8 passenger seats) | £54.85 |
Source: GOV.UK - Getting an MOT: MOT costs, checked 26 September 2026. You don't pay VAT on the fee.
Key dates and rules
- The first MOT is due by the third anniversary of the vehicle’s registration, then every year after that.
- You can have the MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.
- Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000 - the only exceptions are driving to a pre-booked MOT, or to a garage for repairs needed to pass.
- Any vehicle’s MOT history, including past failures and advisories, can be checked for free on GOV.UK.
- These rules and fees apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own MOT system, run by the DVA.
Never miss your MOT
Add your car to RoadVerdict and we'll keep track of the MOT date - along with tax, insurance and servicing - and read its full MOT history for you. Free.
Track my car freeWhat an MOT checks
- Brakes, steering, suspension and tyres
- Lights, mirrors, wipers, horn and seatbelts
- Exhaust emissions and the fuel system
- The body and structure, for corrosion or sharp edges
- The vehicle identification number and registration plates
What changes the price
- The test itself is capped - what varies is how much under the cap a garage charges.
- Repairs to pass are separate, and that’s where bills grow.
How to make sure you're paying a fair price
- Shop around - independent garages and MOT-only centres often charge well under the cap.
- An MOT is a test, not a repair. If your car fails, you can have the repairs done somewhere else.
- Ask about retests before booking: a partial retest is often free if the car is repaired at the same centre and retested within 10 working days.
- Put the date in a reminder - RoadVerdict can remind you before it’s due.
Red flags
- A very cheap MOT used to sell expensive repairs - get a second quote for any repair work.
- Repairs presented as MOT failures that aren’t on the official test result. Failures and advisories are recorded against the car and visible on GOV.UK.
Questions people ask
How much does a car MOT cost?
The maximum MOT fee for a car is £54.85, set by law. Test centres can charge less, and many do. You don’t pay VAT on the fee.
When is my car’s first MOT due?
By the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that. You can have it up to a month (minus a day) early and keep the same renewal date.
Can I drive my car if the MOT has run out?
Only to a pre-booked MOT test, or to a garage for repairs needed to pass. Otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000.
More car price guides
RoadVerdict price guides are benchmarks from named, dated sources, not a quote for your car. Every figure shows how well sourced it is, and where no source prices a job directly we say so.