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 Dorset

SP7 0NT
SP7 0PA
SP7 0PJ
SP7 0NY
SP7 0NX
SP7 0NS
SP7 0PH
SP7 0PB
SP7 0PD
SP7 0PF
SP7 0NU
SP7 0QY
SP7 0QZ
SP7 0PG
SP7 0PQ
SP7 0PE
SP7 0PS
SP7 0NP
SP7 0NW
DT11 8NP
SP7 0JP
SP7 0NR
DT11 8NU
DT11 8NX
DT11 8NR
DT11 8NZ
DT11 8NS
DT11 8NY
DT11 8PF
DT11 8PA
DT11 8PE
DT11 8PD
DT11 8PB
SP7 0JW
SP7 0NN
SP7 0NL
SP7 0JH
SP7 0NH
SP7 0NJ
SP7 0JR
SP7 0JS
SP7 0JT
SP7 0NQ
SP7 0JN
SP7 0JL
SP7 0NG
DT11 8PG
SP7 0JJ
SP7 0NF
SP7 0JU
DT11 8LA
SP7 0JG
SP7 0ND
SP7 0JQ
DT11 8QU
SP7 0NB
DT11 8LJ
DT11 8LH
SP7 0LZ
DT11 8LG
DT11 8LQ
DT11 8LB
DT11 8PH
DT11 8LL
DT11 8NQ
DT11 8NH
DT11 8NW
DT11 8NN
DT11 8LT
DT11 8NJ
DT11 8NT
DT11 8LS
DT11 8LY
SP7 0JX
DT11 8LX
DT11 8LU
SP7 0RG
DT11 8LR
DT11 8NG
DT11 8LZ
DT11 8PJ
DT11 8LN
DT11 8NF
DT11 8LP
SP7 0JE
SP7 0JF
DT11 8WE
SP5 5AR
DT11 8LW
SP7 0LP
DT11 8NB
DT11 8ND
DT11 8NA
DT11 8NE
DT11 8PQ
DT11 8DW
DT11 8DR
DT11 8RB
SP5 5AX
SP5 5AP
SP7 0AF
SP7 0FA
DT11 8QN
SP7 0JZ
SP7 0RL
SP7 0RW
SP7 0RH
SP7 0RJ
SP7 0LY
SP7 0LH
DT11 8LF
SP7 0JY
DT11 8QT
DT11 8LE
SP7 0JD
DT11 8RA
SP7 0LX
DT11 8QS
SP7 0LA
SP7 0BX
SP7 0LB
SP7 0BT
SP7 0LE
SP7 0DU
SP7 0DT
SP7 0DX
SP7 0LQ
SP7 0AT
SP7 0BE
SP7 0LF
SP7 0DY
SP7 0DA
SP7 0BU
SP7 0BZ
DT11 8TP
SP7 0DZ
SP7 0BY
SP7 0AS
DT11 8NL
SP7 0AR
SP7 0EA
SP7 9LA
SP7 0LG
SP7 0LD
SP7 0DD
SP7 0LU
SP7 0DE
SP7 0BA
SP7 0AU
SP7 0BS
SP7 0AP
SP7 0JB
SP7 0BP
SP7 0DB
DT11 8QW
DT11 8RD
SP7 0DS
DT11 8QZ
DT11 8QJ
SP7 0AL
DT11 8QH
SP7 0AJ
SP7 0LW
SP7 0BN
SP7 0AW
SP7 0BL
DT11 8QG
SP7 0BW
SP7 0AX
DT11 8QL
DT11 8QR
DT11 8RG
SP7 0DG
SP7 0LN
DT11 8QQ
DT11 8QP
SP7 0AN
SP7 0DF
DT11 8QF
DT11 8TW
SP7 0AH
SP7 0LL
SP7 0DH
SP7 0DQ
DT11 8QX
DT11 8PX
SP7 0DJ
DT11 8QE
SP7 0AQ
SP7 0DL
DT11 8QD
DT11 8JT
SP7 0DW
DT11 8QY
SP7 0LJ
SP7 0EB
SP7 0DR
DT11 8HW
DT11 8PZ
SP7 0DP
DT11 8RQ
DT11 8QB
DT11 8PY
SP7 0BJ
DT11 8QA
SP7 0ED
SP7 0DN
DT11 8RF
SP5 5AF
SP5 5AE
SP7 0EE
SP5 5AD
SP5 5AG
SP7 0BH
DT11 8PU
SP7 0BB
SP5 5AB
SP5 5AH
SP5 5AA
SP7 0AZ
SP7 0QA
DT11 8EQ
SP5 5AQ
SP5 5AJ
SP7 0AY
SP5 5AL

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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