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

CO9 3RP
CO9 3LD
CO9 3NA
CO9 3RR
CO9 3RS
CO9 3RN
CO9 3LB
CO9 3RX
CO9 3RY
CO9 3LJ
CO9 3LX
CO9 3NR
CO9 3LA
CO9 3JS
CO9 3LZ
CO9 3JH
CO9 3JU
CO9 3NP
CO9 1SB
CO9 3NL
CO9 3JX
CO9 3NS
CO9 3JR
CO9 3NN
CO9 3LG
CO9 3JG
CO9 3RT
CO9 3JZ
CO9 3JJ
CO9 3NT
CO9 3JL
CO9 3JE
CO9 3NF
CO9 3PL
CO9 3JN
CO9 3RB
CO9 3LE
CO9 3JD
CO9 3BP
CO9 3RA
CO9 3JP
CO9 3JW
CO9 3NU
CO9 3NJ
CO9 3NH
CO9 3LU
CO9 3LH
CO9 3JB
CO9 3HU
CO9 3NQ
CO9 3NE
CO9 3NG
CO9 3RE
CO9 3FJ
CO9 3RD
CO9 3QX
CO9 3JT
CO9 3ND
CO9 3PN
CO9 3SA
CO9 3HT
CO9 3PZ
CO9 3HR
CO9 3RG
CO9 3NZ
CO9 3PB
CO9 3PJ
CO9 3NX
CO9 3HP
CO9 3LT
CO9 3PA
CO9 3WP
CO9 3PR
CO9 3QS
CO9 3JA
CO9 3NY
CO9 3HX
CO9 3PD
CO9 3SW
CO9 3PP
CO9 3SB
CO9 3PH
CO9 3RH
CO9 1SD
CO9 3QP
CO9 3PX
CO9 3PT
CO9 3PE
CO9 3QU
CO9 3PU
CO9 3QW
CO9 3PG
CO9 3QT
CO9 3LL
CO9 3PS
CM7 4EW
CO9 3EQ
CO9 3QN
CO9 3RJ
CM7 4DH
CO9 3QF
CO9 3EH
CO9 3QB
CO9 3HS
CO9 3FD
CO9 3EP
CO9 3FA
CO9 3RL
CO9 3QL
CO9 3HD
CO9 3PY
CO9 3QJ
CM7 4DJ
CO9 3HY
CO9 1SA
CO9 3QG
CO9 3AY
CO9 3PF
CO9 3NW
CO9 3LY
CO9 3ES
CO9 3AW
CO9 3RF
CO9 3PW
CO9 3QA
CO9 3LW
CO9 3QE
CO9 3QH
CO9 3QQ
CO9 3HZ
CO9 1UP
CO9 3LN
CO9 3AN
CO9 3QD
CM7 4DQ
CO9 3LS
CO9 3AA
CO9 3DX
CO9 3AL
CO9 1PN
CO9 3DY
CO9 3LP
CO9 1RZ
CO9 3DR
CO9 1PL
CO9 3HB
CO9 3HW
CO9 3HA
CM7 4DU
CO9 3GZ
CO9 3EY
CM7 4DX
CO9 3EZ
CO9 3LR
CO9 3DP
CM7 4DW
CO9 3ET
CO9 3ED
CO9 3HJ
CM7 4DP
CO9 3EL
CO9 3DS
CO9 3EX
CM7 4DG
CO9 3EU
CO9 3DA
CO9 3ER
CO9 3HN
CO9 1SE
CM7 4DT
CO9 3EJ
CO9 3HF
CO9 3HH
CO9 1PH
CO9 1TG
CO9 3DU
CO9 3DW
CO9 3DZ
CO9 1PJ
CM7 4DE
CM7 4DD
CO9 3BS
CO9 3EA
CO9 3BZ
CO9 3EN
CO9 3BY
CO9 1SG
CO9 3DB
CM7 4DL
CO9 1PG
CO9 3BT
CM7 4DN
CO9 2QT
CO9 3DN
CO9 3BU
CO9 3BX
CO9 3HE
CO9 3HL
CM7 4DF
CO9 3EW
CO9 1TD
CM7 4ES
CO9 1SF
CO9 3DD
CO9 1TQ
CO9 1PF
CO9 3DT
CO9 3DL
CO9 3DH
CO9 3DF
CO9 1PQ
CO9 3DE
CO9 3DQ
CO9 3DG
CO9 3HG
CO9 4HS
CO9 1TH
CM7 4DB
CO9 1TB
CM7 4DS
CO9 1UL
CO9 1SY
CO9 1PE
CO9 1ST
CO9 1SS
CO9 1SX
CO9 1PD
CO9 3DJ
CO9 1SU
CO9 2QS
CM7 4EP
CO9 1UH
CM7 4DR
CO9 4EN
CO9 4HR
CO9 1UD
CO9 1TJ
CM7 4DA
CO9 2QU
CO9 1TL
CO9 1TP
CO9 1TN
CO9 1UB
CO9 1PB
CO9 1UA
CO9 1SQ
CO9 1UF
CM7 4EN
CM7 4EQ
CO9 1SR
CO9 3AQ
CO9 2QN
CO9 1TW
CO9 3AG
CO9 1FJ
CO9 1UG
CO9 4HP
CO9 2QR
CO9 3AH
CO9 1TR
CO9 3EF
CO9 4HW
CO9 3AJ
CO9 4LZ
CO9 2QX
CO9 1TU
CO9 1PA
CO9 3EB
CO9 4EL
CO9 4HN
CO9 1SP
CO9 1SW
CO9 2RJ
CO9 2QZ
CO9 2RH
CO9 4HL
CM7 5JL
CO9 2RQ
CM7 5JJ
CM7 4EH
CO9 2QP
CO9 2QW
CO9 4EB
CM7 4AW
CO9 1SH
CO9 1JT
CO9 2RW
CO9 1RU
CM7 4EJ
CO9 2RG
CM7 4EL
CO9 4EH
CM7 4AN
CO9 4LS
CM7 4BD
CO9 1JS
CO9 2RL
CO9 1JU
CM7 5JH
CM7 4AJ
CO9 4HG
CO9 1SN
CO9 4EG
CO9 1JX
CO9 4HJ
CO9 2FJ
CO9 4EA
CM7 4AH
CO9 1PR
CO9 1XS
CO9 1XP
CO9 1JY
CO9 4EJ
CM7 4BA
CO9 1JR
CO9 2RB
CO9 1JZ
CO9 1XR
CO9 2RE
CM7 4BB
CO9 1LN
CO9 4ED
CO9 1LW
CO9 2RA
CO9 1JW
CO9 4HE
CO9 2RN
CO9 4HB
CO9 1JP
CO9 1LJ
CO9 2RD
CO9 3AD
CO9 2QJ
CO9 4DZ
CO9 1JN
CO9 1PT
CO9 1LR
CO9 1LB
CM7 5JQ
CO9 1LA
CM7 4PD
CM7 5JG
CM7 5GN
CO9 1PS
CO9 1JL
CO9 1FG
CO9 1SL
CM7 4AL
CO9 4HQ
CO9 1LQ
CO9 2QL
CO9 2DR
CO9 1JH
CM7 5JE
CO9 4DY
CM7 4BE
CO9 3EE
CO9 1LD
CM7 4AU
CO9 1LE
CO9 1JJ

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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