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

DT10 2JT
DT10 2JU
DT10 2JX
DT10 2JR
DT10 2JS
DT10 2JP
DT10 2LD
DT10 2JW
DT10 2BG
DT10 2JN
DT10 2QH
DT10 2JF
DT10 2JL
DT10 2JH
DT10 2JG
DT10 2JD
DT9 5NF
DT10 2JE
DT9 5FP
DT9 5JY
DT9 5NG
DT10 2BD
DT9 5NE
DT9 5NN
DT9 5NL
DT9 5ND
DT10 2JY
DT10 2JJ
DT9 5NQ
DT10 2BE
DT10 2SG
DT9 5NH
DT10 2SF
DT9 5NW
DT9 5NB
DT9 5LB
DT10 2YE
DT10 2YL
DT10 2YT
DT10 2YU
DT10 2YN
DT10 2YP
DT10 2YR
DT10 2XE
DT10 2YA
DT10 2XF
DT10 2XB
DT10 2XD
DT9 5LZ
DT9 5NJ
DT9 5NA
DT10 2JA
DT9 5LY
DT10 2HZ
DT9 5LW
DT10 2HY
DT10 2HX
DT10 2FG
DT9 5LJ
DT10 2LB
DT10 2LA
DT10 2HU
DT10 2QJ
DT10 2JZ
DT9 5LN
DT10 2SH
DT9 5LP
DT9 5JZ
DT9 5JF
DT10 2AZ
DT9 5LA
DT9 5LL
DT9 5JG
DT10 2SE
DT10 2BB
DT9 5LQ
DT9 5JX
DT10 2DE
DT10 2JB
DT10 2AY
DT10 2BA
DT10 2AX
DT9 5LH
DT10 2SQ
DT9 5LG
DT9 5LF
DT10 2HT
DT9 5JT
DT10 2SJ
DT9 5JE
DT9 5JU
DT9 5QZ
DT10 2AU
DT9 5LD
DT9 5LR
DT10 2SD
DT10 2SA
DT9 5LX
DT9 5JA
DT10 2PT
DT10 2QZ
DT10 2PR
DT10 2HS
DT10 2QU
DT2 7EE
DT10 2QS
DT10 2PS
DT10 2YJ
DT10 2PL
DT10 2PN
DT10 2NL
DT10 2RA
DT10 2PP
DT10 2RB
DT10 2QA
DT10 2QY
DT10 2PJ
DT10 2NQ
DT10 2PW
DT10 2NF
DT9 5QY
DT10 2DW
DT10 2FB
DT10 2NG
DT9 5JQ
DT10 2NJ
DT10 2PY
DT10 2PH
DT10 2HB
DT10 2PQ
DT10 2YB
DT10 2YD
DT10 2SB
DT10 2NH
DT10 2NE
DT10 2NN
DT9 5QU
DT10 2RE
DT10 2QX
DT9 5QX
DT9 5DY
DT10 2RF
DT10 2NB
DT10 2LE
DT10 2PZ
DT10 2LZ
DT10 2FA
DT10 2RD
DT10 2NA
DT10 2QR
DT10 2NS
DT10 2QT
DT10 2SU
DT10 2PA
DT10 2LF
DT10 2ND
DT10 2NY
DT10 2PU
DT9 5JS
DT10 2LQ
DT10 2PF
DT10 2LY
DT10 2LW
DT10 2LH
DT9 5LE
DT10 2LX
DT10 2FD
DT10 2NT
DT10 2LL
DT10 2RG
DT10 2PG
DT10 2NX
DT10 2LN
DT10 2RQ
DT10 2NU
DT10 2PD
DT10 2SW
DT10 2NZ
DT10 2LJ
DT10 2SL
DT10 2PB
DT10 2RR
DT10 2LP
DT10 2NR
DT2 7ED
DT10 2LT
DT10 2NP
DT10 2LR
DT10 2AH
DT10 2NW
DT10 2PE
DT10 2RL
DT10 2ST
DT10 2RN
DT10 2RH
DT10 2BQ
DT10 2RZ
DT9 5YN
DT9 5YQ
DT9 5YP
DT10 2LS
DT9 5HZ
DT10 2SN
DT10 2RP
DT10 2LU
DT10 2RW
DT10 2SS
DT10 2SR

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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