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 Darlington

DL2 3UD
DL2 3UB
DL2 3UR
DL2 3UE
DL2 3US
DL2 3UP
DL2 3UG
DL2 3UQ
DL2 3UH
DL2 3UF
DL2 3UJ
DL2 3TU
DL2 3TY
DL2 3TX
DL2 3EZ
DL2 3TZ
DL2 3EY
DL2 3HA
DL2 3HH
DL2 3TT
DL2 3TN
DL2 2UT
DL2 3UL
DL2 3UA
DL2 3HJ
DL10 4YG
DL10 4YH
DL2 3HQ
DL2 3TJ
DL2 2LU
DL2 3XH
DL2 3JQ
DL2 3BW
DL2 3TL
DL2 3HL
DL2 3TH
DL2 3UW
DL2 3WZ
DL2 3HN
DL2 3HW
DL2 3JF
DL2 3HB
DL2 3HP
DL2 3XQ
DL2 3JH
DL2 2UD
DL2 3HG
DL2 3TS
DL2 3JJ
DL2 3EU
DL2 3EX
DL2 3BJ
DL2 2LY
DL2 3XG
DL2 3HS
DL2 3BL
DL2 3HR
DL2 3YZ
DL2 3DA
DL2 2LT
DL2 2UE
DL2 3HT
DL2 2UP
DL2 3JE
DL2 2UW
DL2 2UU
DL2 3JG
DL2 3ER
DL2 3BP
DL2 3SJ
DL2 2UB
DL2 3TA
DL2 2XH
DL2 3DF
DL2 2UL
DL2 3DB
DL2 3BN
DL2 2UA
DL1 2XT
DL1 2XU
DL1 2XY
DL2 3EP
DL2 3BQ
DL2 3EH
DL2 3TW
DL2 3ET
DL2 3BE
DL2 3BG
DL2 3BH
DL2 3EQ
DL2 3DE
DL2 3SE
DL2 3EN
DL2 3SH
DL2 3EG
DL2 3DD
DL2 3EL
DL2 3SL
DL2 3DH
DL2 3SF
DL2 3EJ
DL2 3EF
DL2 3DX
DL2 3SQ
DL2 3EW
DL2 3GA
DL2 3SG
DL2 3DZ
DL2 3EA
DL2 3GB
DL2 3DY
DL2 3EE
DL2 3ES
DL2 2UQ
DL2 2TY
DL2 3DU
DL2 2UG
DL2 3DL
DL2 3SN
DL2 3TP
DL1 1FQ
DL1 1FE
DL1 1FA
DL1 1FD
DL2 3EB
DL2 3SW
DL2 2UF
DL2 2UR
DL2 3DN
DL11 7UN
DL2 3DS
DL2 3DJ
DL2 3DW
DL2 3ED
DL2 3JD
DL2 3SU
DL2 3SS
TS11 6YU
TS11 6YR
TS11 6YX
DL2 3JB
DL2 2TZ
DL2 3DP
DL2 3SR
DL2 2XJ
DL2 3DT
DL2 3TR
DL2 3DR
DL2 2NA
DL2 2NB
DL2 2XL
DL2 2TX
DL2 3AA
DL2 3SP
DL2 3HX
DL2 2LW
DL2 2LP
DL2 2LX
DL2 2LL
DL2 2LN
DL2 3HE
DL2 3HU
DL2 3JA
DL2 3HZ
DL11 7UL
DL2 2LZ
DL2 3RT
DL2 2UJ
DL2 2LR
DL2 3YT
DL2 3YS
DL2 3YR
DL2 3YP
DL2 3YW
DL2 3YU
DL2 3YX
DL2 3ST
DL2 2LJ
DL2 3HD
DL2 2UN
DL2 2XQ
DL2 2NQ
DL2 3SY
DL2 2LH
DL2 2LS
DL2 3AB
DL2 2UH
DL2 2UZ
DL2 2UX
DL2 3HF
DL11 7UF
DL2 2TU

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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