How much does an MOT really cost?
The test fee is capped at £54.85 for cars. That part's simple. The expensive part is what happens when your car doesn't pass, and across 51,056,738 MOT tests in 2024, 22.6% of cars failed. That's roughly 1 in 5.
Maximum MOT test fees (2025)
These are set by DVSA. Garages can charge less but not more.
| Vehicle type | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| Car (up to 8 passenger seats) | £54.85 |
| Motorcycle | £29.65 |
| Three-wheeled vehicles | £37.80 |
| Car with 9–12 passenger seats | £57.30 |
| Motorhome | £54.85 |
| Goods vehicle (3,000–3,500kg) | £58.60 |
| Ambulance or taxi | £54.85 |
Source: GOV.UK. Fees as of 2025. Many garages charge £35–£45.
The real cost: repairs when you fail
The test itself is under £55. The expensive part is what happens next. Here's what the most common failures typically cost to fix:
| Failure item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Tyre replacement (per tyre) | £50–£150 |
| Headlamp bulb or alignment | £10–£50 |
| Suspension bush/joint | £150–£400 |
| Brake pads and discs (per axle) | £150–£350 |
| Windscreen wiper blades | £15–£30 |
| Exhaust repair or DPF | £100–£600 |
| Catalytic converter | £300–£1,000+ |
| Steering rack/track rod ends | £150–£350 |
See the full MOT failure rankings from our data. If you need repairs, you can compare local prices on BookMyGarage or find a mobile mechanic through ClickMechanic. For parts, Euro Car Parts is one of the larger suppliers.
Which cars are most likely to need repairs?
A car's MOT pass rate tells you how likely it is to sail straight through. or to need work first. Among popular models (50,000+ tests), the gap is huge:
Most likely to fail (expect repair costs)
| Model | Fail rate |
|---|---|
| Peugeot 307 | 38.5% |
| Peugeot 206 | 37.1% |
| Peugeot 207 | 36.9% |
| Fiat Punto | 34.3% |
| Renault Kangoo | 33.6% |
| Citroen Ds3 | 33.5% |
| Renault Scenic | 33.4% |
| Renault Megane | 32.9% |
Most likely to pass (minimal extra cost)
| Model | Fail rate |
|---|---|
| Porsche Macan | 6.4% |
| Audi Q2 | 7.9% |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 8.2% |
| Volvo Xc40 | 8.8% |
| Mercedes-Benz Gle | 8.8% |
| Skoda Karoq | 9.2% |
| Porsche 911 | 9.3% |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 9.5% |
A Peugeot 307 fails 39% of the time. you're more likely to need repairs than not. A Porsche Macan fails just 6% of the time. Check your model's specific data to see what typically goes wrong.
What the MOT fee covers
The fee pays for a visual and mechanical inspection of safety-critical items: brakes, lights, suspension, tyres, emissions, steering, bodywork, seatbelts, and exhaust. It takes around 45–60 minutes.
The fee does not cover any repairs. If the car fails, you pay for the test plus repairs. The retest is free if done within 10 working days at the same station (or within 1 day if you leave the car there).
How to save money on your MOT
- Check lights yourself: bulbs are the second most common failure and cost under £10 to replace. Do a walk-around the night before
- Check tyre tread: minimum 1.6mm legal, but 3mm recommended. The single most common failure item
- Top up screen wash: an empty washer bottle is a fail. Costs £2
- Clear dashboard warning lights: engine, ABS, and airbag lights must be off
- Replace wiper blades: £15–£30, DIY in 5 minutes, common failure
- Use the free retest: if you fail, you get a free partial retest within 10 working days at the same garage
- Shop around for the test: Halfords, National, and ATS commonly charge £35–£45, well under the £54.85 cap
When is your MOT due?
Check for free on GOV.UK. You can get your MOT up to one month early without losing any days. The new certificate runs from the old expiry date, not the test date.
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MOT fees from GOV.UK (2025). Repair costs are typical estimates and will vary by vehicle and location. Pass rate data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.