Book an MOT Test - Find and Book Your MOT Online

You can book an MOT test directly with any DVSA-approved test centre. Many garages and national chains allow online booking via their websites. You can also use the DVSA's 'Find an MOT test centre' tool on GOV.UK to search for approved centres near you by postcode. It is worth comparing prices, as costs can vary significantly between independent garages and main dealers.

The DVSA sets a maximum fee for an MOT test — for cars this is currently £54.85. However, test centres are free to charge less, and many garages offer discounts or promotional rates to attract customers. It is worth shopping around, but be cautious of very cheap offers that may indicate the test is not being carried out thoroughly.

Your MOT is due annually on the anniversary of the previous test (or on the third birthday of a new vehicle). You can book and take the test up to one month (minus one day) before the current certificate expires without losing any time from the expiry date. This means if your MOT expires on 15 July, you can take the test as early as 16 June and the new certificate will still expire on 15 July the following year.

If your vehicle fails its MOT, you will receive a Vehicle Defect Rectification Sheet listing all failure items. You have the right to a free partial retest if you have the repairs carried out at the same test centre within 10 working days. If you choose to have repairs done elsewhere, you will need to pay for a full retest. You cannot drive a vehicle that has failed its MOT on a public road unless the previous certificate is still valid.

Absolutely. Checking the vehicle's MOT history before booking a test reveals any outstanding advisories from previous tests that are likely to cause failures this time round. Addressing known advisory items before the test can save you the cost of a retest fee. Our free MOT history check shows every advisory from every previous test so you know exactly what to fix before you book.