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MOT Retest 2026: When It Is Free and When You Pay
When a UK MOT test ends in a fail, the DVSA retest rules give drivers two routes to a no-fee re-inspection: leave the vehicle at the test centre for repair and retest within 10 working days, or take it away and return it before the end of the next working day for a partial retest on a listed set of items. Take it away and return within 10 working days and the garage can charge a partial retest fee. A second test at any other garage costs the standard fee, up to £54.85 on Class 4.
Vehicle stays at the garage for repair
Free partial retest within 10 working days if the vehicle is left at the test centre. Also free next working day on listed items if you take it away.
Vehicle taken away, or another garage
Take it away and return within 10 working days: a partial retest fee can be charged. Any other garage or after 10 days: full fee, up to £54.85 on Class 4.
Retest Cost by Scenario
| Scenario | Retest cost | Window | Eligibility detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leave the vehicle at the test centre for repair | Free partial retest | Within 10 working days | The vehicle stays at the test centre and is repaired there. The partial retest covers only the items that originally failed. There is no fee. |
| Take the vehicle away, return for a retest on listed items only | Free partial retest | Before the end of the next working day | Only for a DVSA-listed set of items: lamps, mirrors, windscreen and wipers, seatbelts, tyres, wheels, doors, bonnet, boot, fuel cap, registration plates and similar quick-fix components. |
| Take the vehicle away, return to the original garage | Partial retest fee | Within 10 working days | Same garage, partial retest on the originally failed items. The garage can charge a partial retest fee for this. Many waive it commercially, but they are not required to. |
| Different garage, or after 10 working days | Full fee up to £54.85 | Anytime | A full MOT test at the standard fee. The retest concessions apply only at the original testing garage within the time limits. |
Partial vs Full Retest: What Gets Re-Inspected
Partial retest
The garage re-inspects only the items that were recorded as failed on the original VT30 fail certificate. The vehicle does not go through a full MOT inspection again. If the failed items are now within spec, the vehicle passes and the garage issues a VT20 pass certificate. The MOT expiry date follows from the original test date plus 12 months.
Full retest
The garage runs the entire MOT inspection from scratch. This is what happens if you wait more than 10 working days, take the car to a different garage or have the car re-inspected after substantial repairs that go beyond the originally failed items.
What If New Defects Appear on the Retest?
A partial retest is scoped to the original fail items only. But if a new defect has obviously appeared or worsened between the original test and the retest (for example a tyre below tread limit after a week of additional driving, or a brake light bulb that has since gone), the garage can either:
- Add the new item to the original fail certificate without charging a full retest fee, provided it remains a quick re-inspection.
- Convert the visit to a full retest at the standard fee if the new defect changes the scope of inspection materially.
Discretion sits with the garage. Consumer right is to ask before agreeing to additional work.
Can You Drive Between Test and Retest?
Whether you can drive the failed vehicle depends on the defect category recorded by the tester:
- Minor (advisory). The vehicle has passed. Advisory items are recorded for awareness but do not cause a failure.
- Major. The vehicle has failed. You may drive to a pre-booked repair appointment if your previous MOT certificate is still valid; otherwise driving on public roads is not permitted.
- Dangerous. The vehicle has failed. You may not drive on public roads at all until the dangerous defect is rectified. Tow or trailer to the repair location only.
See /what-happens-if-you-fail for the full defect-category framework and driving rules.
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