MOT Cost & Rules: What You Need to Know

How much an MOT should cost, when it's due, and what happens if you drive without one. The rules below apply to Great Britain; Northern Ireland operates its own scheme.

How much does an MOT cost?

The government sets a maximum fee that a test centre can charge. For a typical car (up to eight passenger seats) the cap is £54.85; for a standard motorcycle it's lower. Many garages charge less than the maximum, and some offer a free or discounted test alongside a service, so it's worth shopping around. A garage can never legally charge more than the cap for the test itself.

When is my MOT due?

Most cars need their first MOT three years after registration, then every year. You can have the test done up to one month (minus a day) before the expiry date and keep the same anniversary. If you let it lapse and test later, the new certificate runs from the test date — so testing early never costs you days.

What happens if I drive without a valid MOT?

Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000. If the vehicle is in a dangerous condition the penalties are far steeper, including a larger fine and penalty points. Your insurance can also be invalidated. The main exception: you may drive to a pre-booked MOT test (or to a garage for repairs).

Retests after a failure

If your car fails, you can often get a free or reduced-fee partial retest if you leave the vehicle at the test centre and it's repaired within a set number of working days. Rules vary slightly by garage, so confirm before you collect the car.

Historic vehicle exemption

Vehicles generally become exempt from MOT testing once they're more than 40 years old, provided they haven't been substantially modified. Exempt doesn't mean unchecked — owners are still legally responsible for keeping the vehicle roadworthy. Our pages flag vehicles that may qualify as historic.

Check a vehicle's record

Before you book a test — or buy a car — look up its full MOT history to see what's likely to need attention:

Fees and penalties are set by the DVSA and government and can change; always confirm the current figures with your test centre or GOV.UK.