MOT cost guide · 2026
How much does an MOT cost?
A car MOT costs a maximum of £54.85 — that's the legal cap set by the DVSA, frozen for years. Many garages charge less (£30–£45), and there's often nothing to pay if you do it alongside a service.
Maximum MOT fee by vehicle
These are the DVSA caps for 2026 — a garage can't legally charge more. The class 4 car fee of £54.85 has been frozen for several years.
Source: DVSA maximum MOT test fees.
Where to get a cheaper MOT
Because the fee is a cap rather than a fixed price, where you book makes a real difference. Typical price ranges by garage type:
Council test centres
£35 – £54.85Often cheapest, with no incentive to upsell repairs.
National chains (Halfords, Kwik Fit)
from ~£35Headline price is usually discounted online — check for seasonal offers.
Independent garages
£30 – £50Widest range; loyalty discounts common, but watch for cheap-MOT-then-upsell.
Franchised dealers
£45 – £54.85Generally charge closer to the maximum fee.
How to pay less for your MOT
Bundle it with a service
Loads of garages do a free or half-price MOT when you book a service at the same time — often a £20–£40 saving.
Use a council test centre
Council-run centres only test — they can't do repairs, so there's no incentive to find faults.
Book early
Test up to a month before expiry and keep your renewal date — time to fix any fails without panic.
Fix the cheap stuff first
A blown bulb, worn wiper or low screenwash is a needless fail. Okay's diagnosis catches these beforehand.
Good question
Questions Okay gets asked a lot
How much does an MOT cost in 2026?
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The maximum an MOT can cost for a standard car is £54.85 in 2026 — a cap set by the DVSA that has not increased for several years. In practice most drivers pay less: independent garages and council test centres often charge £30–£45, and chains such as Halfords and Kwik Fit advertise online prices from around £35. You never have to pay more than £54.85 for a class 4 car MOT.
Why do MOT prices vary if the fee is capped?
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The £54.85 figure is a maximum, not a fixed price, so garages can charge anything up to it. Council test centres often charge close to the cap but have no incentive to upsell repairs. National chains discount the headline price to win bookings, sometimes making the test almost free alongside a service. Independents vary most — some charge £40, others offer £25 MOTs to get you through the door, hoping to sell repair work.
How much is an MOT for a van, motorhome or motorcycle?
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Motorcycles (class 1 and 2) are capped at £29.65. Cars, vans and motorhomes up to 3,000kg (class 4) are capped at £54.85. Private passenger vehicles with 13–16 seats (class 5) are capped at £59.55, and goods vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg (class 7) at £58.60. These are DVSA maximums for 2026 — as with cars, many garages charge below the cap.
Where can I find the cheapest MOT near me?
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Council-run test centres are often cheapest and have no repair upsell, so they are a safe bet. National chains like Halfords and Kwik Fit frequently run online booking discounts and seasonal deals from around £35, sometimes free when combined with a service. Independent garages vary widely. Compare a few local prices before booking, and be wary of very cheap MOTs that exist mainly to sell you repairs.
Is the MOT retest free if my car fails?
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Often, yes — but it depends on the garage and timing. If you leave the car at the test centre for repairs and it is retested within 10 working days, the retest is usually free. If you take the car away and bring it back within 10 working days, a partial retest of the failed items is typically free or low cost. Beyond 10 working days you normally pay for a full new MOT.
Does the MOT fee include repairs?
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No. The MOT fee only pays for the test itself — checking whether your car meets the legal roadworthiness standard. If it fails, any repairs needed to pass are charged separately, and that is where the real cost usually lies. The test fee is capped at £54.85 for a car, but repair bills are not, so it pays to prepare your car beforehand and compare repair quotes.
Find a trusted MOT near you
Compare MOT prices from local garages, check your car's MOT history, and estimate any repair costs before you book.
Want the full breakdown? Read our complete 2026 MOT cost guide, including Halfords and Kwik Fit prices.