Where should I get my MOT done?

There are the obvious places to look online and in directories, however, the best place to go is a place you trust, a reputable garage that has been recommended to you - you can find many using our check mot history.

How much does an MOT cost?

The amount you pay for an MOT test fluctuates depending on the type of vehicle - but there is a maximum charge.

Those fees are listed in full on the car services in reading’s website. In summary however, the maximum MOT fee for a car with up to eight passenger seats is £54.85. For a motorcycle it's £29.65 generally the larger the vehicle the higher the maximum fee.

Do council MOT test centers have better pass rates than normal garages?

Council mot history centers are council run test centers that do not carry out repairs. For this reason, many people believe they are a better place to get an MOT done as they do not have a vested interest in failing and charging for repairs.

However, the data to support this is purely qualitative. By which we meant here are only written testimonials expressing that people, from experience, have had better luck getting their car to pass its MOT at a council test centre than at other garages.

That's not to say this is incorrect, it's just to say there has never been a definitive study on pass rates at council test centers versus normal garages.

Moneysavingexpert.com recommends using a council test centre if your car is in good condition but you suspect it might fail based on minor repairs needed - but for anything major, a reputable garage which repairs on site might be a more economical option.

 

How long does an MOT take and what gets covered?

A check mot status doesn't take very long. The test takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and some owners choose to wait while the vehicle is being inspected.

If repairs are required following the test the process will take longer. During the test, the following areas are inspected:

Electrical equipment- including headlights, brake lights, indicators and fog lights.

Steering - including the strength and condition of the steering wheel.

Tyres - including tread depth and condition of the tyres.

Suspension - including shock absorbers and any corrosion and wear.

Brakes - including overall condition of pedals and brake efficiency.

Seat belts and seats

Exhaust and emissions - including checking for any leaks in the exhaust and fuel system

Mirrors, wipers and windscreen - including any damage to the windscreen and condition of the wiper blades

Vehicle Identification Number (VPN) - ensuring the vehicle displays its VPN is important

MOT exemptions

Cars that are 40 years old or more are exempt, unless the vehicle has had substantial changes.

MOT fails and defects

The initial fail rate for Cars, vans and passenger vehicles with up to 12 seats in 2015-2016 was 36.80%, so there's a fair chance you will find yourself in a situation where your car fails its check mot.

Read on for all the information you need should you end up in this situation.

 

Why do most vehicles fail their MOT?

The three most common reasons for MOT failures are faults with lights, suspension and brakes. Below is a list of the categories used on many checks and the associated percentage of failures attributed to them?

The information is based on cars and light vans (up to 3,000kg) in the 2017-2018 financial years.

What if your car fails its MOT?

Since May 2018, MOTs have categorized defects as dangerous, major, or minor. If your car or vehicle has a dangerous or major fault it will fail its MOT. You’ll be given a 'refusal' of an MOT certificate, called a VT30 form

If your vehicle has a dangerous fault it cannot be driven until that fault has been repaired, whereas major faults should be repaired as soon as possible. You are able to pass an MOT with minor faults although these, too, will need repairing.