MOT Cost Calculator
Work out what your next MOT could really cost. Factor in the test fee, the likelihood of a fail, average repair costs, and any retest charge to budget accurately before you book.
Calculate Your MOT Costs
Enter your test fee and a realistic view of your vehicle’s condition below. The calculator will break down your likely total spend, including any repair and retest costs.
MOT Budget Solver
Project your total MOT spend based on test fee and repair likelihood
MOT Cost Quick Facts
Essential insights into UK MOT test pricing
Understanding MOT Costs
An MOT rarely costs just the test fee alone. Here’s how the total bill is typically built up, and where the biggest variables sit.
Book and Pay the Test Fee
This is the fixed cost of having your vehicle examined, capped by the DVSA maximum for your vehicle’s class. It’s payable whether the vehicle passes or fails.
The Test Result
The vehicle either passes, passes with advisories (no cost, but worth monitoring), or fails on one or more items that must be fixed before a valid certificate is issued.
Repair Any Failures
This is where cost varies the most. Common failures range from a cheap bulb replacement to more significant work like brakes, tyres, or suspension components.
Retest the Vehicle
Depending on timing and where the repair is carried out, the retest may be free, discounted, or charged at the full test fee if you return after the standard window.
Ways to Keep Costs Down
A few habits can meaningfully reduce the chance of an expensive surprise on test day.
Check the Basics Yourself
Tyre tread depth, all lights, wiper blades, washer fluid, and number plate condition are common, cheap-to-fix fail points that take minutes to check at home.
Book Slightly Early
Testing a week or two before expiry (within the permitted window) gives you time to arrange repairs without risking a gap in your MOT cover.
Ask About Retest Terms
Confirm your garage’s retest policy before you book, so you know whether a same-day or ten-day return is free, discounted, or full price.
Keep Up With Servicing
Regular servicing catches wear items, like brake pads or suspension bushes, before they become MOT failures with a bigger repair bill attached.
MOT Cost FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about MOT test pricing and repair costs in the UK.
The DVSA sets a maximum MOT fee for each vehicle class, and garages cannot charge more than this. Most cars fall under Class 4, motorcycles under Class 1 or 2, and larger vans under Class 7, each with its own maximum. Garages are free to charge less than the maximum, so prices vary between testing stations.
It depends on timing and where the repair happens. Many testing stations offer a free or reduced-cost partial retest if the vehicle returns within one to ten working days and the same repairs are checked. If you leave the vehicle at the same garage and it’s fixed within one working day, the retest is often free. Waiting longer, or using a different garage, usually means paying the full test fee again.
This varies enormously depending on what fails. Minor items like bulbs or wiper blades cost very little, while brakes, suspension components, or exhaust work can run into hundreds of pounds. Budgeting an estimated repair cost based on your vehicle’s age and mileage, alongside the test fee itself, gives a more realistic picture than assuming a pass every time.
Yes. You can book an MOT up to one month (minus a day) before your current certificate expires, and the new expiry date will still be calculated from the original due date. Testing early gives you time to budget for and complete any repairs without risking driving with an expired certificate.