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

CO16 0AT
CO16 0AS
CO16 0AU
CO16 0AX
CO16 0AR
CO16 0BA
CO16 0AY
CO16 0AZ
CO12 5BY
CO12 5BP
CO16 0AP
CO12 5BS
CO12 5BH
CO12 5BW
CO12 5BU
CO16 0AW
CO12 5BX
CO12 5BT
CO16 0AN
CO16 0AL
CO16 0BB
CO12 5BN
CO12 5BZ
CO12 5BE
CO12 5BG
CO16 0BE
CO12 5DA
CO12 5BL
CO12 5BQ
CO12 5BD
CO16 0AJ
CO12 5BB
CO12 5BA
CO16 0LE
CO12 5BJ
CO12 5DB
CO12 5AY
CO12 5DD
CO12 5AZ
CO12 5AX
CO12 5AU
CO11 2SF
CO12 5DE
CO12 5AT
CO16 0AA
CO16 0EX
CO12 5AW
CO12 5AR
CO12 5AS
CO12 5AP
CO12 5AH
CO16 9AR
CO16 0LD
CO16 0AH
CO12 5AL
CO16 0NG
CO12 5AN
CO12 5AJ
CO12 5AG
CO16 0LB
CO12 5AQ
CO16 0AB
CO12 5AF
CO16 0NL
CO16 0LA
CO16 0NH
CO16 0NJ
CO16 0EJ
CO16 0EH
CO11 2SE
CO16 0LT
CO16 0NF
CO16 0EG
CO16 0LU
CO16 0LZ
CO16 0EP
CO16 0LY
CO16 0LR
CO16 0EN
CO16 0LF
CO12 5AE
CO16 0LX
CO16 0NE
CO16 0ND
CO16 0NA
CO12 5DF
CO16 0ER
CO16 0LS
CO16 0LN
CO16 0NB
CO12 5AD
CO16 0EF
CO11 2SD
CO16 0LW
CO16 0LP
CO16 0AF
CO11 2RU
CO16 0ES
CO16 0LL
CO11 2SA
CO16 0BS
CO16 0NR
CO16 0EE
CO16 0LJ
CO16 0NS
CO16 0DG
CO16 0EA
CO11 2SB
CO12 5DH
CO16 0AE
CO16 0AG
CO11 2RY
CO11 2GL
CO16 0LQ
CO16 0EZ
CO16 9AP
CO12 5DL
CO16 0NT
CO16 0BW
CO16 0LH
CO16 0DY
CO11 2RW
CO11 2RX
CO16 0EB
CO11 2RZ
CO11 2AY
CO16 0LG
CO16 0DX
CO16 0DZ
CO11 2RT
CO11 2BG
CO11 2SG
CO16 0ED
CO16 0AD
CO11 2RS
CO16 0HA
CO16 0HU
CO11 2RR
CO16 0BN
CO12 5AB
CO16 0JN
CO16 0HB
CO16 0NN
CO16 0JH
CO12 5AA
CO16 0JJ
CO16 0JA
CO16 0HD
CO16 0JP
CO16 0JR
CO16 0BY
CO16 0JE
CO16 0HF
CO12 5DG
CO16 0JS
CO16 0HE
CO11 2RP
CO16 0JB
CO12 5JR
CO16 0BT
CO16 0JF
CO16 0JZ
CO16 0BL
CO16 0HZ
CO16 0JG
CO16 0HX
CO16 0BP
CO16 0DH
CO12 5JW
CO16 9AW
CO16 0HS
CO16 0HG
CO11 2RN
CO16 0DE
CO16 0BU
CO16 0BG
CO16 0HT
CO16 0DD
CO11 2RL
CO16 0JD
CO11 2SH
CO12 5LH
CO16 9AL
CO12 5JP
CO16 0DJ
CO12 5LG
CO12 5JN
CO11 2UH
CO11 2UJ
CO11 2SJ
CO16 9JL
CO11 2PE
CO16 0HP
CO16 9AN
CO16 9JH
CO16 0NP
CO16 9JN
CO16 0HQ
CO12 5LU
CO13 0EN
CO11 2SL
CO16 0HY
CO16 9AJ
CO16 0DW
CO16 0HR
CO16 0DN
CO16 0HJ
CO16 0DL
CO11 2PD
CO16 0BX
CO11 2RJ
CO16 0HH
CO16 0BZ
CO16 9JJ
CO16 0DP
CO12 5LE
CO12 5LY
CO16 9JE
CO16 0DA
CO13 0EL
CO16 0BD
CO13 0EW
CO16 9JT
CO12 5LT
CO16 0HL
CO16 9AF
CO16 9HR
CO11 2SN
CO12 5LS
CO16 9JF
CO16 9AH
CO16 9HF
CO16 0BJ
CO16 9HP
CO16 9HE
CO16 9JW
CO16 9JX
CO16 9JQ
CO16 9JG
CO16 9JD
CO16 9HW
CO16 9JR
CO16 9JS
CO16 9JZ
CO16 9HX
CO16 9JA
CO16 9HS
CO16 9JY
CO16 9JB
CO16 9HZ
CO16 0HN
CO16 9HL
CO12 5NA
CO16 9JU
CO16 9QB
CO12 5LR
CO16 9HJ
CO16 9AT
CO11 2SR
CO12 5JL
CO16 9JP
CO16 9HN
CO12 5LX
CO12 5PA
CO12 5HT
CO16 9HQ
CO16 9HH
CO16 9HU
CO16 9PZ
CO16 9HT
CO12 5LN
CO12 5LZ
CO16 9HG
CO16 9AG
CO16 9PX
CO12 5LD
CO12 5LQ
CO16 9HY
CO12 5LJ
CO12 5LW
CO13 0NN
CO16 9QA
CO11 2SP
CO16 0DB
CO11 2RH
CO11 2UE
CO16 9PY
CO12 5LP
CO12 5NB
CO13 0NJ
CO11 2PB

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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