MOT Fee Calculator & Re-Test Limits

Pick the vehicle class and what happens after a fail to see the maximum MOT test fee and the most a retest can cost, from the GOV.UK fee table.

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The Motwatch mot fee calculator shows the maximum fees an MOT test centre in Great Britain can charge, from the GOV.UK MOT fee table (checked 3 November 2026). Test centres are approved and checked by DVSA, and the fee caps are set by the government. Knowing the cap and your retest rights helps you avoid paying more than you need to.

Our interactive calculator determines maximum fees across all vehicle categories, from standard Class 4 passenger vehicles to Class 7 commercial delivery vans and motorcycles. Pick a retest scenario to see whether it is free, up to half the fee, or the full fee again.

Mot fee calculator example

How to use the mot fee calculator

  1. Select your vehicle test classification: Choose from Class 4 cars, Class 7 goods vehicles over 3,000kg, motorcycles, 3-wheelers and Class 5 passenger vehicles.
  2. Review the statutory fee cap: Observe the legal maximum fee limit that an authorized MOT testing station is permitted to charge for an initial examination.
  3. Select your specific re-test scenario: Choose whether the vehicle was left at the testing station for repair or returned within the 10 working-day window.
  4. Inspect re-test fee entitlement: Verify whether your specific scenario qualifies for a free re-test, a half-fee re-test, or requires a full re-test.
  5. Check minor item next-day re-test eligibility: The free next-working-day retest covers only the items on the GOV.UK list (for example lamps, mirrors, wipers, wheels and tyres, seatbelts but not anchorages).
  6. Compare statutory caps against garage quotes: Cross-reference the calculated maximum fee with your local garage quote to verify you are not being overcharged.
  7. Calculate total potential inspection expenditure: Review total potential combined test and re-test costs to budget for unexpected defect rectifications.
  8. Check VAT exemption status: No VAT is added to the MOT test fee itself; repairs and parts are charged with VAT.
  9. Export or note fee entitlement summary: Save the statutory fee entitlement rules on your mobile device to present to test station personnel if disputes arise.
  10. Inquire about service bundle discounts: Check whether your local MOT station offers discounted test rates when combined with an interim or full vehicle service.

MOT fees and retest rules

Official DVSA Maximum Fee Schedule by Vehicle Class

The government sets the maximum MOT fees. For standard passenger cars with up to eight passenger seats (Class 4), the statutory maximum fee is fixed at £54.85. For larger goods vehicles with gross design weights between 3,000kg and 3,500kg (Class 7), such as commercial Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, the maximum fee ceiling is £58.60. Motorcycles (Class 1 up to 200cc and Class 2 over 200cc) are capped at £29.65, a motorcycle with sidecar or a small 3-wheeler (Class 3) at £37.80, and passenger vehicles with 9 to 12 seats at £57.30 (£64 with a seat belt installation check).

Statutory Re-Test Fee Rules and the 10-Day Window

UK motorists enjoy robust statutory consumer protections regarding MOT re-test fees. If a vehicle fails and is left at the test centre for repair, the partial retest is free if it is done within 10 working days. If the motorist removes the vehicle from the test station to perform DIY repairs or use a third-party garage and returns it to the original station within 10 working days, the test centre may charge a partial retest fee of up to half the maximum test fee (half of £54.85 is £27.425, so at most £27.42 for a car).

The Next Working Day Free Re-Test Rule for Minor Defects

If the vehicle failed only on items from the GOV.UK list, you can take it away and bring it back to the same test centre before the end of the next working day for a partial retest with no fee. The list has about 40 items, including lamps (excluding headlamp aim), mirrors, the horn, windscreen glass, wipers and washers, wheels and tyres, registration plates, seatbelts (but not anchorages), the brake pedal anti-slip, the steering wheel and the tailgate. Check the full list on GOV.UK before you rely on a free retest.

Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption on MOT Test Fees

A widespread point of consumer confusion is whether Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to MOT examinations. The MOT test fee is outside the scope of VAT. An authorized MOT station cannot add 20% VAT to the statutory test fee. However, any mechanical repairs, replacement parts, or labour charges required to rectify failed components are standard-rated commercial services subject to 20% VAT. Motorists should always inspect itemized invoices to ensure VAT is applied strictly to parts and labour, never to the test fee itself.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum a garage can legally charge for a car MOT?

The official DVSA maximum fee for a standard Class 4 car (up to 8 passenger seats) is £54.85. A garage cannot legally charge more than this for the test itself.

Is an MOT re-test always free in the UK?

An MOT re-test is free if you leave the car at the testing station for repair, or if you return the car before the end of the next working day for specific minor failures like wipers, mirrors, or bulbs.

How much can a garage charge if I bring the car back within 10 working days?

If you take the vehicle away and bring it back to the same testing station within 10 working days for a partial re-test, the test centre can charge up to half the maximum test fee (at most £27.42 for a car).

Can an MOT testing station add 20% VAT to my test fee?

No. The MOT test fee is outside the scope of VAT. However, any replacement parts or repair labour needed to pass the re-test are subject to standard 20% VAT.

Why do some garages offer MOTs for £30 or £35?

Testing stations frequently discount their test fees below the government maximum of £54.85 as a loss-leader to attract customers for profitable servicing, tyre replacements, and mechanical repairs.

See all MOT Tools.