MOT Cost Checker
Check the maximum legal MOT fee for your vehicle — £54.85 for a car, £29.65 for a motorcycle — and find out when your next MOT is due.
MOT cost checker
Maximum DVSA fee by vehicle class.
This is the legal maximum. Check rules at GOV.UK — getting an MOT.
What an MOT actually costs
An MOT is the annual roadworthiness test that almost every vehicle over three years old must pass to stay legal on UK roads. The price you pay is capped by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which sets a maximum fee for each vehicle class. A garage is free to charge less than the cap — and many do, to win your repair business — but it can never charge more. For a standard car, the ceiling is £54.85.
The most a garage can legally charge for a class 4 car MOT is £54.85; a motorcycle is £29.65. These are maximums set by the DVSA — shop around and you will often pay £30–£45 for a car.
Maximum MOT fees by class
| Vehicle | Class | Max fee |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | 1 / 2 | £29.65 |
| Car (up to 8 seats) | 4 | £54.85 |
| Motorhome | 4 | £54.85 |
| Minibus 9–12 seats | 5 | £57.30 |
| Minibus 13–16 seats | 5 | £59.55 |
| Public service vehicle (16+) | 5 | £80.65 |
| Goods vehicle up to 3,000kg | 7 | £58.60 |
The retest fee after a failure is usually free or reduced if you return to the same garage within ten working days.
When is my MOT due?
A brand-new car, motorcycle or light van needs its first MOT three years after it is first registered. After that initial test it must be tested every year. Some vehicles — such as large passenger vehicles and certain goods vehicles — need their first test after just one year, and taxis follow their own licensing rules.
You can have the MOT done up to a month (minus a day) before the current certificate runs out and keep the same anniversary date. Do it earlier than that window and you lose the days between, so timing matters if you want to preserve your renewal date. The calculator above estimates your first-MOT date from the registration you enter.
What happens if your vehicle fails
If the vehicle fails, the test fee still applies but the repairs do not have to be done at the same garage. Bring it back within ten working days and a partial retest is usually free; leave it longer and a fresh fee may apply. You can only drive a failed vehicle away to get it repaired or to a pre-booked test, and only if it is roadworthy — a "dangerous" defect means it should not be driven at all.
Driving without a valid MOT
Driving without a current MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and, just as importantly, may void your insurance if you have an accident. The DVLA records MOT status digitally, so there is no paper disc to display — but enforcement cameras and roadside checks can flag an expired test instantly. Keep an eye on the expiry date and book early.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a car MOT cost?
The maximum MOT fee for a class 4 car is £54.85. This is a price ceiling set by the DVSA, so a garage can charge less but never more. Many test centres offer discounts well below the cap.
How much is a motorcycle MOT?
A motorcycle MOT (class 1 or 2) has a maximum fee of £29.65. Motorcycles with a sidecar are slightly more. As with cars, this is the legal maximum and many garages charge less.
When does my car need its first MOT?
A new car needs its first MOT on the third anniversary of its registration. After that it must pass an MOT every year. You can renew up to a month (minus a day) before expiry and keep the same renewal date.
Is the MOT fee the most I will pay?
The fee only covers the test itself. If the vehicle fails, any repairs and a possible retest are extra. A free or reduced-fee retest may apply if you return within ten working days to the same garage.
Can I drive without a valid MOT?
No, except to drive to a pre-booked MOT or to a garage for repairs after a failure. Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000 and may invalidate your insurance.