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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	Notes
Car (up to 3,000kg)	£54.85	£30-45	Covers hatchbacks, saloons, estates, SUVs
Motorcycle (over 200cc)	£29.65	£20-29	Most standard motorcycles
Motorcycle (up to 200cc)	£29.65	£20-29	Includes mopeds and scooters
Motorcycle with sidecar	£37.80	£25-35	Separate category from solo bikes
Van (up to 3,000kg)	£54.85	£35-50	Same as cars by weight class
Van (3,000-3,500kg)	£58.60	£40-55	Larger panel vans, e.g. Sprinter
Motor caravan	£37.80	£30-37	Campervans and motorhomes
3-wheeled vehicle (over 450kg)	£37.80	£30-37	Morgan, Reliant, etc.
3-wheeled vehicle (up to 450kg)	£29.65	£25-29	Lighter trikes
Ambulance / Taxi	£54.85	£40-54	Same fee cap as cars

Source: DVSA maximum fee schedule, April 2026. Typical charges based on UK garage surveys and comparison platforms.

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.

National chains like Halfords, Kwik Fit, and National Tyres regularly advertise MOTs at £20-30, sometimes as low as £10-15 during promotional periods. Independent garages in competitive areas often match these prices to avoid losing customers.

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

£40-55

High 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

£35-50

Slightly below London but still above average. Commuter belt garages benefit from high demand. Competition in larger towns helps keep prices in check.

Midlands

£30-45

A 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

£25-40

Some of the cheapest MOTs in the UK. Cities like Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle have intense garage competition. Deals under £30 are common.

Scotland

£30-45

Similar to the Midlands. Edinburgh and Glasgow are competitive; remote Highland garages tend to be pricier due to distance and fewer alternatives.

Wales

£30-45

Broadly similar to the Midlands. Cardiff and Swansea offer competitive pricing. Rural mid-Wales is more limited.

Northern Ireland

£30-40

MOTs are handled by the DVA (Driver & Vehicle Agency), not private garages. The system operates differently from Great Britain, with 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 same garage overnight	Free (full retest)	Next working day
Return to same garage after repair	Free (partial retest)	Within 10 working days
Go to a different garage	Full fee (£30-55)	No time limit

The free partial retest only covers the items that originally failed. If anything else has changed or deteriorated, the garage may need to charge for a full retest.

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