Comprehensive MOT Test Centre Information Near Me

Find the nearest MOT Test Centres. Enter your postcode in the search box and we'll find all the MOT Stations near you ordered by distance. In addition to a handy map we will also include booking telephone numbers and, where possible, opening times. If you have a car, van, motor bike, private passenger vehicle or, even, a trike, we'll list all the M.O.S. Test Centers near you.

MOT Test Centre Counties

UK MOT Test Centres in Essex

CM23 1AY
CM23 1AJ
CM23 1AX
CM23 1AU
CM23 1AL
CM23 1AT
CM23 1AH
CM23 1AS
CM23 1BX
CM23 1AN
CM23 1AF
CM23 1AE
CM23 1AG
CM23 1AP
CM23 1AW
CM23 1BB
CM23 1BA
CM23 1AZ
CM23 1BE
CM23 1AR
CM23 1BY
CM23 1BD
SG9 0JA
CM23 1AD
SG9 0HZ
SG9 0HU
SG9 0JB
CM23 1AB
SG9 0HX
SG9 0HY
CB11 4PG
CM23 1AA
CB11 4PW
CB11 4PP
CB11 4PR
CB11 4PT
CB11 4PS
SG9 0HL
SG9 0HT
CB11 4PB
SG9 0JD
CB11 4FU
CB11 4FB
CM23 1BG
CB11 4SN
CB11 4PN
CB11 4PY
CB11 4PE
CB11 4PL
CB11 4PZ
CM23 1BJ
SG9 0HJ
CB11 4PQ
CB11 4PH
CB11 4PJ
CB11 4PF
SG9 0JU
SG9 0JX
CB11 4PX
CB11 4QE
CB11 4QB
CB11 4QD
CB11 4QW
CB11 4QP
CB11 4QL
SG9 0HH
SG9 0JT
SG9 0JY
CB11 4QN
SG9 0HP
CB11 4QY
CM23 1BH
CB11 4QR
CB11 4PU
CM23 1ED
CM23 1AQ
CM23 1EB
CM23 1BN
CM23 1RX
CM23 1SW
CM23 1HF
SG9 0JZ
CM23 1BQ
CM23 1BS
SG9 0LP
CM23 1EH
CM23 1EG
CB11 4RW
CB11 4RP
CB11 4QS
CM23 1DU
CM23 1DX
CM23 1BL
CM23 1BZ
SG9 0HR
SG9 0HN
SG9 0HW
CM23 1DT
CB11 4RR
CM23 1BT
SG9 0LR
CM23 1DR
CB11 4SJ
SG9 0HQ
CB11 4RL
SG9 0HG
CM23 1DS
CM23 1DP
CB11 4QX
CM23 3YG
CM23 1DL
SG9 0LF
CM23 1DW
SG9 0HF
CM23 1DZ
CB11 3YJ
SG9 0TS
CB11 4SQ
CB11 4RN
SG9 0JJ
SG9 0LG
SG9 0HE
SG9 0HA
CB11 4WA
CB11 4WG
CB11 4FZ
SG9 0LQ
CB11 4QZ
SG9 0LL
SG9 0LE
CB11 3YL
CM23 1BP
CM23 1EE
CB11 4QT
CM23 1DN
CM23 1EF
SG9 0LJ
SG9 0JH
CM23 1DH
CB10 4QZ
CB11 4SH
SG9 0AN
SG9 0AP
CM23 1DJ
CB11 4QU
SG9 0AU
SG9 0AL
SG9 0AW
CM23 1DF
CM23 1DY
CM23 1DG
SG9 0AT
SG9 0AR
CM23 1DQ
SG9 0LH
CB11 4SG
SG9 0LW
CM23 1DD
SG9 0LN
CM23 1DE
CB11 4RS
SG9 0LD
SG9 0AS
CM23 1EA
CB11 3YW
SG9 0JL
CB11 3YH
SG9 0AZ
CM23 1HN
SG9 0LB
CB11 3UN
CM23 1DB
CB11 3ZR
SG9 0AJ
SG9 0TR
CM23 1DA
CM23 1HP
CB11 3YZ
SG9 0AQ
CB11 3YA
SG11 2JU
CB11 3YQ
CM23 1HL
CB11 3YB
CB11 4HA
SG11 2LT
CM23 1HJ
SG9 0AY
CB11 3BZ
SG9 0AX
CB11 3YG
SG9 0LA
CB11 4RT
CB11 3UL
SG9 0JN
CB11 3YD
CB11 3XD
CM22 6HS
CB11 3UH
CB11 3YE
CB11 3YF
SG11 2LX
SG11 2LS
CB11 3XE
SG9 0BA
CB11 3UJ
CB11 3XG
CB11 3XF
SG11 2LW
CB11 3XY
SG11 2LY
CB11 3YN
CM23 1HE
CM22 6HZ
CB11 3XQ
CB11 3XH
CM24 8TL
CB11 4SD
SG9 0BB
CM23 1HX
CM23 1JR
CM22 6HY
CM22 6JW
SG11 2LN
CM23 1HU
CM22 6JA
SG9 0BD
SG11 2LQ
CM23 1HW
CB11 3XJ
CM23 1HT
CM22 6HX
CM23 1HR
CB11 3UR
CB11 3UQ
CM23 1HS
SG11 2LG
CB11 3XL
CM23 1HD
SG9 0JW
CM22 6HU
CB11 4FY
CB11 3UG

When to get an MOT

The MOT test is designed to check that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards defined by the Department for Transport.

The rules that determine when you need to MOT your vehicle depend on the type of vehicle you have and what you use it for. These rules are grouped into Classes which currently include 1, 2, 3, 4, 4a, 5, 5a and 7. Broardly speaking you need to MOT your vehicle on;

  • the third anniversary of its registration
  • the anniversary of its last MOT, if it's over 3 years old
The exception to this is vehicles that are categorised as Class 4, 5 and 5a which need to be MOT tested every 12 months.

Driving a vehicle without an MOT can attract a fine of up to £1,000

Expired MOT certificate

It is not acceptable to drive a vehicle if its MOT has certificate expired. Doing so can result in a prosecution. Exceptions to this rule are;

  • to or from somewhere to be repaired,
  • to a pre-arranged MOT test1.

1A pre-arranged MOT test is one that has been arranged in advance. If you are stopped on the way to a drop in MOT test centre without an appointment you may not qualify for an exemption.

MOT renewal

An MOT lasts for a calendar year. The MOT expiration date is printed on the MOT pass certificate.

It is important to ensure your vehicle's MOT test certificate is renewed before the MOT test due date. This is can be done as early as a month minus 1 day before the expiration of the current certificate or anniversary of the registration of the vehicle. It is acceptable to get a new MOT test certificate at any time, however, the start date of the certificate will change if the renewal date is more than a month minus a day before the expiration of the current certificate.

MOT Test Fees and Class Descriptions

The Department for Transport has specified maximum fees that MOT test centres can charge. These are broken down by the Class of the vehicle as this roughly equates to the amount of effort required by the MOT Test Centre to carry out the test. The following table explains the Classes and associated costs.

ClassVehicle TypeAge before
MOT (years)
Maximum
Fee
1Motorcycle (engine size up to 200cc)3£ 29.65
1Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size up to 200cc)3£ 37.80
2Motorcycle (engine size over 200cc)3£ 29.65
2Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size over 200cc)3£ 37.80
33-wheeled vehicles (up to 450kg unladen weight)3£ 37.80
43-wheeled vehicles (over 450kg unladen weight)3£ 54.85
4Cars (up to 8 passenger seats)3£ 54.85
4Motor caravans3£ 54.85
4Quads (max unladen weight 400kg - for goods vehicles 550kg and max net power of 15kw)3£ 54.85
4Dual purpose vehicles3£ 54.85
4Private hire and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats)3£ 54.85
4Ambulances and taxis1£ 54.85
4Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (9 to 12 passenger seats)1£ 57.30
4Goods vehicles (up to 3,000kg design gross weight)3£ 54.85
4aClass 4 vehicles (9 to 12 passenger seats) with a seat belt installation check£ 64.00
5Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (13 to 16 passenger seats)1£ 59.55
5Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (more than 16 passenger seats)1£ 80.65
5Playbuses1£ 80.65
5aClass 5 vehicles (13 to 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check£ 80.50
5aClass 5 vehicles (more than 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check£ 124.50
7Goods vehicles (over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg design gross weight)3£ 58.60

Test Failures and Retests

If your vehicle has failed its MOT Test you may qualify for a free or reduced retest.

If the MOT Test Centre carries out the repair then ordinarily they would retest the vehicle at a reduced cost or no cost at all, depending on the nature of the work and the time between the two MOT tests.

If you decide to take your vehicle away for repair you will need to ensure that your vehicle's current certificate is still valid. If your certificate is no longer valid then you will only be able to take your vehicle to a repair agent to get the defects corrected and to an MOT Test Centre with a pre-arranged MOT test appointment. You will not be able to take your vehicle to any other location.

If you have taken your vehicle away for repair and manage to return it to the same test centre before the end of the next working day for a retest, the MOT Test Centre will not charge for the partial retest, assuming the repair is one or more of the following items;

  • access panels
  • battery
  • bonnet
  • bootlid
  • brake pedal antislip
  • break glass hammer (class 5 vehicles only)
  • doors (including hinges, catches and pillars)
  • door open warning device (class 5 vehicles only)
  • dropsides
  • electrical wiring
  • emergency exits and signs (class 5 vehicles only)
  • entrance door remote control (class 5 vehicles only)
  • entrance/exit steps (class 5 vehicles only)
  • fuel filler cap
  • headlamp cleaning or levelling devices (that doesn’t need a headlamp aim check)
  • horn
  • lamps (excluding headlamp aim)
  • loading door
  • main beam 'tell-tale'
  • mirrors
  • rear reflectors
  • registration plates
  • seatbelts (but not anchorages), seatbelt load limiter and seatbelt pre-tensioner
  • seats
  • sharp edges or projections
  • stairs (class 5 vehicles only)
  • steering wheel
  • tailboard
  • tailgate
  • trailer electrical sockets
  • towbars (excluding body around anchorage points)
  • tyre pressure monitoring system
  • vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • windscreen glass, wipers and washers
  • wheels and tyres (excluding motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecar)
If the repair is for another fault or you do not get your vehicle back within the time period then you are eligible for a charge.

If you return your vehicle, after a repair, within 10 working days of the original test then the MOT Test Centre can complete a partial test which may be free or at a reduce charge. If it is not within this period then the MOT Text Centre will need to carry out a full test for which a full charge can be made.

Booking an MOT

MOT Test Centres offer a variety of methods for booking your vehicle in for a test. The primary means of booking is by phone. Our website offers a handy click to call facility if you are using a compatible device saving the need to save or write the number down. It is also worth noting that many sites now have online booking capabilities making it quick and easy for you to book your car in for a test.

MOT Test Centre maximum fees are controlled. Familiarise yourself with the Class of your vehicle and ensure that the MOT Test Centre does not charge you more than the maximum fee specified.

How does the MOT Test work?

An MOT test is an annual check of qualifying vehicles by an approved agent of items the Department of Transport has deemed essential for the safe operation of the vehicle on the public highway. Checks vary by vehicle category but all include essential items like headlights, seatbelt and tyres.

The MOT Test is designed to ensure the vehicle meets road safety and emission standards as defined by the Department for Transport. The test ensures your vehicle is in appropriate condition for use on the road. The MOT Test focuses on elements of the vehicle that ensure the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users. The Test does not concern itself with the condition of the vehicle's engine or gearbox, for example, but does focus on items such as seat belts, breaks and lights. For a full guide please read the MOT Inspection Manual.

Whilst the MOT Test is being performed you are allowed to view the Test from the MOT Public viewing area. You are not, however, allowed to interact with the Tester during the course of their duties.

MOT Test Completion

When the MOT Tester has completed the inspection you will be issued with a certificate. This can be an MOT Certificate, if the vehicle has passed, or a refusal of an MOT Test Certificate. In either case the outcome, along with the vehicles odometer reading will be recorded in the MOT test database, which is a national register.

If the vehicle has passed the MOT Test the MOT Certificate will be issued with, amoungst other things, the epiration date of the Certificate. You will need to repeat this process again before this date.

If the vehicle has NOT passed the MOT Test the refusal of an MOT Test Certificate will be issued which contains the reasons why the vehicle failed the test. If you decide to take the vehicle away for repair then please ensure you have familiarised yourself with the rules related to retesting your vehicle, especially if your MOT Test Certificate has expired.

If you feel you vehicle has been incorrectly failed then you may lodge an appeal with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) by calling them on 0300 123 9000 week days between 7:30am to 6pm. You should also contact them if you think your MOT Test Certificate is not geniune or if you think your vehicle has passed when it shouldn't have.

Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition can attract a fine of up to £2,000, a driving ban and 3 penalty points
Information on this site is correct at time of publication. We assume no responsibility for any incorrect data, ommissions or errors.
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