The maximum MOT fee for a car is £54.85 and £29.65 for a motorcycle, set by law with no VAT. Garages can charge less. A partial retest is free if the car stays at the test centre and is retested within 10 working days.
Figures verified 23 October 2026 against GOV.UK and DVSA
- Car maximum fee: £54.85
- Motorcycle maximum fee: £29.65
- VAT: None charged
- Free partial retest: Left at centre, retested within 10 working days
What sets the price of an MOT
The price of an MOT is capped by law, so no garage can charge more than the maximum fee set for the vehicle class. For a car with up to 8 passenger seats the maximum is £54.85, while a motorcycle is capped at £29.65. Class 7 goods vehicles weighing between 3,000kg and 3,500kg have a maximum fee of £58.60.
These figures are ceilings rather than fixed prices, and garages can charge less.
No VAT is charged on the MOT fee, so the maximum figures quoted are the full amounts payable. The applicable fee depends on the vehicle class, which is determined by the type and weight of the vehicle presented for testing.
| Vehicle | Class | Maximum fee |
|---|---|---|
| Car (up to 8 passenger seats) | 4 | £54.85 |
| Motorcycle | 1 or 2 | £29.65 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar | 1 or 2 | £37.80 |
| Passenger vehicle, 9 to 12 seats | 4 | £57.30 |
| Goods vehicle up to 3,000kg | 4 | £54.85 |
| Goods vehicle 3,000kg to 3,500kg | 7 | £58.60 |
Source: GOV.UK MOT test fees, checked 23 October 2026.
Retest fees after a fail
If the vehicle is left at the test centre for repair and retested within 10 working days, only a partial retest is needed and there is no fee. Returning to the same test centre before the end of the next working day for a partial retest of certain items also costs nothing. These items include lamps excluding headlamp aim, mirrors, seatbelts, wipers and washers, horn, doors, bonnet, battery, wheels and tyres.
If the vehicle is taken away for repair and brought back within 10 working days, only a partial retest is needed but a partial retest fee can be charged. This differs from the free retest available when the vehicle stays at the test centre for the work to be done.
In all other cases a full retest at the full MOT fee is needed. This applies where the vehicle is not returned within the relevant time limits or where the retest does not qualify as a partial retest under the rules above.
| Situation | Retest | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Left at the test centre, retested within 10 working days | Partial | Free |
| Back to the same centre by the end of the next working day (listed items only) | Partial | Free |
| Taken away, back within 10 working days | Partial | Partial retest fee may apply |
| Any other case | Full | Full MOT fee |
Source: GOV.UK Retest after a repair, checked 23 October 2026.
Booking early without losing the renewal date
An MOT can be carried out up to a month minus a day before the current certificate runs out, and the renewal date stays the same. For example, if an MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest test that keeps the existing date is 16 April. Booking within that window allows a vehicle to be tested early without changing when the next MOT falls due.
A test carried out earlier than that window gives a new expiry date one year minus a day from the pass date. This means the renewal date moves, rather than staying on the original anniversary. The timing of the test therefore determines whether the existing renewal date is preserved or replaced.
GOV.UK offers free MOT reminders by text or email. These reminders can help drivers keep track of when a test is due and plan a booking within the window that keeps the renewal date unchanged. The reminder service is provided at no cost and can be set up through GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
When can an MOT be done early without changing the renewal date?
An MOT can be done up to a month minus a day before it runs out and the renewal date stays the same. For example, if the MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest test keeping that date is 16 April. A test earlier than that gives a new expiry date one year minus a day from the pass date.
What are the maximum MOT fees set by law?
Maximum MOT fees are set by law at £54.85 for a car with up to 8 passenger seats, £29.65 for a motorcycle and £58.60 for Class 7 goods vehicles from 3,000kg to 3,500kg. Garages can charge less, and no VAT is charged.
How can a driver get an MOT reminder?
GOV.UK offers free MOT reminders by text or email, so the renewal date can be tracked without relying on memory.
Is there a fee for a retest if the vehicle stays at the test centre?
If the vehicle is left at the test centre for repair and retested within 10 working days, only a partial retest is needed and there is no fee.
What happens if the vehicle is taken away for repair and returned?
If the vehicle is taken away for repair and brought back within 10 working days, only a partial retest is needed but a partial retest fee can be charged. In all other cases a full retest at the full MOT fee is needed.
