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MOT Fees by Vehicle 2026: £29.65 Bike, £54.85 Car, £58.60 Van
The DVSA sets maximum fees for every vehicle class. Garages can charge less than the cap, and most do. Here is the complete fee schedule alongside what UK garages typically charge in practice.
DVSA Maximum Fees vs Typical Charges
| Vehicle type | Max legal fee | Typical charge |
|---|---|---|
| Car (up to 3,000kg) | £54.85 | £30-45 |
| Motorcycle (over 200cc) | £29.65 | £20-29 |
| Motorcycle (up to 200cc) | £29.65 | £20-29 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar | £37.80 | £25-35 |
| Van (up to 3,000kg) | £54.85 | £35-50 |
| Van (3,000-3,500kg) | £58.60 | £40-55 |
| Motor caravan | £54.85 | £35-50 |
| 3-wheeled vehicle (over 450kg) | £54.85 | £35-50 |
| 3-wheeled vehicle (up to 450kg) | £37.80 | £28-37 |
| Ambulance / Taxi | £54.85 | £40-54 |
Why Do Garages Charge Less Than the Maximum?
The MOT is one of the most reliable footfall drivers in the motor trade. Every car over 3 years old needs one every year, which means a guaranteed stream of customers. Garages use below-cost MOT pricing as a loss leader strategy: the cheap test gets your car onto their ramp, and the real revenue comes from any repair work discovered during the inspection.
The cheapest verified chain headline price in June 2026 is F1 Autocentres from £35; Halfords lists from £49.99 and Kwik Fit at the cap. The deepest discounts now come from independent garages and comparison platforms, where £20-30 deals remain common in competitive areas.
This is not a scam. It is standard business practice across the motor trade. The important thing is to be aware that a cheap MOT is not the full story. If your car fails, the same garage will quote you for repairs, and you have the right to take your car elsewhere for a second opinion. See our guide on what happens when you fail for more on this.
Regional MOT Pricing Across the UK
London
£40-55High overheads and strong demand mean many garages charge at or near the maximum. Central London garages are the most expensive in the country.
South East
£35-50Slightly below London but still above average. Commuter belt garages benefit from high demand. Competition in larger towns helps keep prices in check.
Midlands
£30-45A middle ground. Urban areas like Birmingham and Nottingham have strong competition. Rural areas tend to charge slightly more due to fewer options.
North of England
£25-40Some of the cheapest MOTs in the UK. Cities like Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle have intense garage competition. Deals under £30 are common.
Scotland
£30-45Similar to the Midlands. Edinburgh and Glasgow are competitive; remote Highland garages tend to be pricier due to distance and fewer alternatives.
Wales
£30-45Broadly similar to the Midlands. Cardiff and Swansea offer competitive pricing. Rural mid-Wales is more limited.
Northern Ireland
£38 fixedMOTs are handled by the DVA (Driver & Vehicle Agency), not private garages. The fee is fixed at £38 at all 15 government-run test centres.
VAT and Hidden Costs
VAT on the MOT test fee
The MOT test fee is VAT-exempt. The price you see is the price you pay. This is a legal requirement set by HMRC. If a garage tries to add VAT to the test fee, they are overcharging you.
VAT on repairs
Any repair work carried out as a result of the MOT is subject to 20% VAT. This applies to both parts and labour. If a garage quotes you £200 for repairs, check whether that figure includes VAT or whether it will be added on top.
Other potential charges
Some garages charge a separate diagnostic fee (£20-50) if they need to investigate an issue more thoroughly. Others may charge a small fee for brake cleaning or wheel removal to inspect pads. These should always be disclosed and agreed before work begins. You are never obligated to accept them.
Free MOT Retest Rules
If your car fails its MOT, you may be entitled to a free or reduced-cost retest. The rules depend on where and when you get the car repaired:
| Scenario | Retest cost | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Leave car at the test centre for repair | Free (partial retest) | Within 10 working days |
| Take car away, return for retest on listed items only (lamps, wipers, tyres, seatbelts, doors and similar) | Free (partial retest) | Before end of next working day |
| Take car away, return to same garage | Partial retest fee (garage sets it) | Within 10 working days |
| Different garage, or after 10 working days | Full fee (£30-55) | No time limit |
A partial retest only covers the items that originally failed. Source: the retest rules on gov.uk. Many garages waive the partial retest fee as a goodwill gesture, but they are not required to.
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