MOT guides
How much does an MOT cost?
There is a legal maximum an MOT can cost — and most garages charge below it. Here are the numbers.
Maximum MOT fees
The government sets a maximum MOT test fee. For a typical car (class 4) it is £54.85; for a standard motorcycle it is £29.65. These are caps — a garage can charge less but not more for the test itself.
How to keep the cost down
Many garages discount the test because they make their margin on any repairs. Booking the MOT and a service together, or shopping around locally, often beats the cap. Fixing known advisories before the test also avoids a re-test and repeat costs.
Avoiding surprise repair bills
The bigger cost is usually the repairs, not the test. Knowing what a model tends to fail on — and checking a specific car's history first — helps you budget. Start with our model reliability reports and a free history check.
Frequently asked questions
£54.85 for a car (class 4) and £29.65 for a motorcycle. Garages can charge less but not more for the test.
They make their margin on repairs, so the test is a loss-leader. A cheap or free MOT is legitimate as long as you are not pressured into unnecessary work.