To appeal an MOT fail, talk to the test centre, then send form VT17 to DVSA within 14 working days. The maximum MOT fee is paid before the recheck and refunded if the car passes. A pass can be appealed within 3 months for corrosion or 28 days otherwise.
Checked 23 October 2026 against the DVSA MOT inspection manual
- Appeal a fail: 14 working days
- Appeal a pass: corrosion: 3 months
- Appeal a pass: other: 28 calendar days
- DVSA contact: Within 5 working days
Before appealing
Before starting a formal appeal, the result should be discussed with the MOT centre first. The tester can explain the reasons for the failure and clarify any points about the inspection.
Repairs should not be done before the appeal is finished. Carrying out work on the vehicle at this point can affect the outcome of the appeal. The vehicle may need to be examined again in the condition in which it was tested, and changes made in the meantime can complicate that process. Keeping the vehicle unchanged preserves the evidence and allows the matter to be considered on the basis of the original inspection.
These two steps form the groundwork for any appeal. Discussing the result with the centre first keeps the process open and factual, while holding off on repairs protects the position if the appeal goes ahead. Only after the appeal is finished should any repair work be considered, so that the original condition of the vehicle remains clear throughout. This approach keeps the appeal focused on the inspection itself rather than on later alterations.
Sending form VT17
Form VT17, titled 'Appeal an MOT test result', is sent by email to csccomplaints@dvsa.gov.uk. Where email is not possible, the completed form can be posted to DVSA, The Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN.Sending the form to the correct address is the first step in the appeal process, and the DVSA handles the form once it is received.
Deadlines for sending the form depend on the test result. A fail must be appealed within 14 working days of the test. A pass can be appealed within 3 months where the problem is corrosion, or within 28 calendar days for any other problem. These time limits apply from the date of the test, and the form must reach the DVSA within the relevant period. Late appeals fall outside the process, so the deadline for the result in question determines when the form is sent.
After the form is received, a DVSA vehicle examiner should make contact within 5 working days. This contact follows the sending of the form and relates to the appeal itself. The examiner deals with the case from that point, and the 5 working day period runs from receipt of the form by the DVSA. Keeping to the correct address and the relevant deadline ensures the appeal reaches the right stage without delay.
Fees and outcomes
For a fail appeal, a fee must be paid before the recheck takes place. The amount is the maximum MOT fee for the vehicle, which is £54.85 for a car. Payment is accepted by cash or cheque only. This fee is refunded if the vehicle passes the recheck.
A pass appeal carries no fee at all. No payment is required to challenge a pass result, whether by cash, cheque or any other method. The absence of a fee applies regardless of the vehicle type or the circumstances of the original test.
The outcome of a pass appeal is limited. DVSA will not issue a new test result and will not update the MOT history. A successful pass appeal therefore does not replace the existing record or produce a revised certificate. The original pass result stands as recorded, and the appeal does not alter the vehicle's documented MOT status or the details held on the MOT history service.
Complaints about a centre
Complaints about an MOT centre are handled separately from the appeal process. The DVSA cannot take action against a centre on a customer's behalf. Where a complaint concerns the conduct or standards of a testing station, the DVSA directs customers to other routes. These are Trading Standards, legal proceedings or the police, depending on the nature of the issue raised.
The DVSA's MOT line is 0300 123 9000. It is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. The line can be used for enquiries about MOT matters, including where to direct a complaint about a centre. Callers should note that the DVSA's role in complaints is limited to signposting, as it does not act for customers against a centre.
Understanding these limits helps set expectations. The DVSA does not investigate or pursue a centre on a customer's behalf, and it does not represent customers in disputes. Responsibility for taking a complaint further rests with the customer, who may approach Trading Standards, begin legal proceedings or contact the police. The MOT line remains available during its stated hours for general guidance on the correct route.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step if there is a disagreement with an MOT result?
The result should be discussed with the MOT centre first. If the matter remains unresolved, a formal appeal can then be considered. DVSA cannot take action against a centre on a customer's behalf, so the options are Trading Standards, legal proceedings or the police.
What is Form VT17 and where is it sent?
Form VT17, titled Appeal an MOT test result, is sent to csccomplaints@dvsa.gov.uk. If email is not possible, it is posted to DVSA, The Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN. A DVSA vehicle examiner should make contact within 5 working days.
What are the deadlines for appealing an MOT result?
A fail must be appealed within 14 working days of the test. A pass can be appealed within 3 months for a corrosion problem, or within 28 calendar days for any other problem.
What fee applies to an MOT appeal?
For a fail appeal, the maximum MOT fee for the vehicle, £54.85 for a car, is paid before the recheck by cash or cheque only, and refunded if the vehicle passes. A pass appeal has no fee.
Should repairs be done before an appeal is finished?
Repairs should not be done before the appeal is finished, because this can affect the outcome. For a pass appeal, DVSA will not issue a new test result or update the MOT history. The MOT line is 0300 123 9000, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
