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

CM1 2DQ
CM5 0SS
CM5 0ST
CM5 0QS
CM5 0SU
CM5 0QX
CM5 0SP
CM5 0SR
CM5 0QU
CM5 0SL
CM5 0QR
CM5 0SN
CM5 0TQ
CM5 0SX
CM5 0QD
CM5 0SJ
CM5 0QP
CM5 0QB
CM5 0SH
CM5 0QE
CM5 0SW
CM5 0QN
CM5 0QW
CM5 0SY
CM5 0QA
CM1 4NN
CM5 0QL
CM5 0TF
CM1 4NW
CM5 0TE
CM5 0PZ
CM5 0SZ
CM5 0TA
CM5 0QF
CM5 0FL
CM5 0TB
CM5 0SQ
CM5 0PW
CM5 0TD
CM5 0PN
CM5 0PP
CM5 0QG
CM5 0PL
CM1 4NH
CM5 0PJ
CM1 4NJ
CM1 4NL
CM5 0QT
CM5 0QJ
CM4 0LU
CM5 0QH
CM5 0QQ
CM4 0FF
CM1 4PS
CM1 4PJ
CM1 4NP
CM6 1QS
CM4 0LX
CM5 0PY
CM1 4NR
CM5 0PR
CM4 0LT
CM1 4QF
CM1 4PT
CM5 0PH
CM1 4QD
CM1 4PR
CM4 0LS
CM1 4PU
CM1 4NS
CM4 0LR
CM4 0LW
CM1 4PX
CM6 1QR
CM1 4YX
CM1 4ZQ
CM1 4ZY
CM1 4ZA
CM1 4YY
CM1 4LF
CM1 4LH
CM5 0SD
CM1 4LG
CM5 0PQ
CM1 3SH
CM1 4PH
CM1 4QB
CM5 0NQ
CM5 0PT
CM5 0NS
CM5 0PS
CM1 4PQ
CM5 0NP
CM4 0LL
CM1 4PG
CM1 3SL
CM1 4NT
CM1 4LZ
CM6 1QP
CM1 4PF
CM5 0NW
CM1 4PP
CM1 4LQ
CM5 0PG
CM6 1QT
CM1 4NX
CM5 0NR
CM1 4NU
CM4 0LN
CM4 0LH
CM5 0NN
CM1 4PE
CM4 0LP
CM1 4PL
CM1 4PN
CM4 0LY
CM5 0FE
CM6 1QU
CM6 1QW
CM5 0NL
CM1 4LB
CM6 1QN
CM1 3SQ
CM5 0SA
CM5 0NT
CM1 4NZ
CM5 0SE
CM5 0SG
CM1 4PA
CM5 0SF
CM1 4PB
CM5 0SB
CM5 0TG
CM5 0PF
CM1 3SJ
CM1 4NA
CM1 4NY
CM4 0LJ
CM1 4LR
CM1 4PD
CM1 4LJ
CM5 0RH
CM5 0RY
CM1 4RY
CM1 4QE
CM1 4LD
CM5 0RZ
CM5 0RJ
CM5 0PE
CM5 0RX
CM1 4LE
CM4 0LQ
CM1 3SN
CM4 0JP
CM5 0RE
CM5 0RG
CM1 2DH
CM5 0JX
CM1 3SG
CM1 4LL
CM5 0NX
CM1 3SP
CM5 0RB
CM1 4LP
CM5 0RF
CM5 0RL
CM5 9RT
CM1 4LS
CM1 3SR
CM1 4QA
CM1 4NB
CM1 4PY
CM5 0JU
CM5 9RP
CM6 1QL
CM1 3SF
CM5 0RR
CM5 0HT
CM5 0NU
CM5 0RD
CM1 4RU
CM1 4QH
CM5 9RR
CM1 3SE
CM5 9SA
CM4 0LE
CM1 4LX
CM5 0RW
CM5 0RQ
CM5 9RS
CM1 4SA
CM5 9NX
CM1 4RT
CM5 0HS
CM1 4RX
CM1 4RS
CM1 4LW
CM1 4LT
CM1 4RR
CM5 0RA
CM5 0NZ
CM4 0PY
CM1 4LY
CM5 9NU
CM5 0RP
CM4 0LF
CM4 0LG
CM1 3QP
CM5 0TR
CM1 4SL
CM1 3QJ
CM5 0TP
CM1 4RZ
CM1 4RP
CM5 0JZ
CM1 4RN
CM5 0TN
CM5 0NY
CM4 0JN
CM1 4SJ
CM5 0RT
CM5 0HU
CM5 0RN
CM5 0HR
CM5 0JT
CM5 0PD
CM1 4PZ
CM5 0PB
CM5 9NS
CM4 0JW

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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