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

DT2 9LZ
DT2 9LN
DT2 9JE
DT2 9LW
DT2 9LJ
DT2 9LL
DT2 9JW
DT2 9LS
DT2 9LR
DT2 9LP
DT2 9LH
DT2 9LT
DT2 9TA
DT2 9SU
DT2 9LU
DT2 9XD
DT2 9LX
DT2 9LQ
DT2 9EA
DT2 9HD
DT2 9LG
DT2 9DX
DT2 9HE
DT2 9DY
DT2 9YD
DT2 9YJ
DT2 9DU
DT2 9DS
DT2 9HB
DT2 9YP
DT2 9YS
DT2 9YU
DT2 9YL
DT2 9HY
DT2 9HZ
DT2 9ET
DT2 9LF
DT2 9TU
DT2 9LD
DT2 9LE
DT2 9LB
DT2 9JU
DT2 9LA
DT2 9JY
DT2 9JZ
DT2 9JX
DT2 9EB
DT2 9DZ
DT2 9JT
DT2 9JP
DT2 9EU
DT2 9JS
DT2 9JR
DT2 9TD
DT2 9JD
DT2 9HF
DT2 9SE
DT2 9HX
DT2 9TG
DT2 9JN
DT2 9JA
DT2 9TW
DT2 9FT
DT1 1UA
DT2 9HG
DT1 1JL
DT2 9LY
DT2 9HH
DT2 9JH
DT2 9DT
DT2 9JQ
DT2 9HQ
DT2 9JJ
DT2 9JG
DT2 9JL
DT2 9HL
DT2 9HJ
DT2 9SW
DT2 9ES
DT2 9ED
DT2 9ER
DT2 9NJ
DT2 9JF
DT2 9SD
DT2 9EE
DT2 9EY
DT2 9NA
DT2 9HN
DT3 4EY
DT2 9NH
DT2 9WD
DT2 9TY
DT2 9WF
DT2 9WH
DT2 9WB
DT2 9WL
DT2 9WT
DT2 9WJ
DT2 9WG
DT2 9WE
DT3 4EX
DT2 9NQ
DT3 4EU
DT2 9WA
DT2 9DL
DT3 4FA
DT2 9SS
DT3 4ER
DT2 9RY
DT2 9EZ
DT2 9NB
DT2 9RZ
DT2 9SB
DT2 9YN
DT2 9TT
DT2 9RX
DT3 4ES
DT2 9SA
DT2 9PN
DT3 4FY
DT2 9SX
DT1 3AA
DT3 4EZ
DT2 9TQ
DT2 9ND
DT3 4PH
DT2 9SR
DT2 9TR
DT1 3DZ
DT2 9TS
DT3 4EH
DT2 9SF
DT3 4ET
DT2 9TZ
DT2 9RU
DT2 9NE
DT2 9SQ
DT2 9SH
DT2 9TL
DT2 9NF
DT3 4HR
DT2 9RT
DT2 9NL
DT2 9SG
DT3 4HP
DT2 9ST
DT3 4HB
DT1 3QY
DT1 3SL
DT2 9HR
DT2 9TJ
DT1 3SH
DT3 4HA
DT3 4HD
DT1 3TW
DT2 9PL
DT1 3TB
DT1 3TA
DT1 3SG
DT1 3TG
DT1 3TE
DT1 3TD
DT1 3SQ
DT3 4LX
DT2 9TX
DT2 9NG
DT2 9NN
DT1 3TP
DT2 9HS
DT1 3BU
DT1 3TQ
DT1 3TF
DT2 9HU
DT2 9SJ
DT1 3SW
DT2 9HA
DT1 3SU
DT1 3TN
DT1 3SN
DT2 9RS
DT1 3BT
DT2 9JB
DT3 4LQ
DT1 3SS
DT1 3TH

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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