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 Kent

ME9 0NE
ME9 0NG
ME9 0NL
ME9 0NQ
ME9 0BQ
ME9 0BG
ME13 0DD
ME9 0BD
ME9 0BB
ME9 0LU
ME9 0BH
ME9 0BL
ME9 0BX
ME9 0BS
ME13 0BJ
ME9 0BN
ME13 0DB
ME9 0NX
ME9 0BP
ME9 0AZ
ME9 0NN
ME9 0LW
ME9 0AU
ME9 0BZ
ME9 0NU
ME9 0DA
ME9 0LN
ME9 0DB
ME9 0BY
ME13 0DA
ME9 0NB
ME9 0NA
ME13 0BH
ME9 0LT
ME9 0LP
ME9 0LL
ME9 0LH
ME13 0BN
ME9 0DE
ME13 0BW
ME9 0DT
ME13 0BS
ME13 0AT
ME9 0LQ
ME9 0AT
ME9 0NR
ME9 0AX
ME13 0BQ
ME9 0JU
ME9 0DG
ME13 0BG
ME13 0BL
ME9 0EB
ME13 0BE
ME9 0JX
ME13 0AX
ME13 0AZ
ME9 0DH
ME13 0AS
ME9 0NT
ME13 0BP
ME13 0AY
ME9 0LG
ME9 0NP
ME13 0AW
ME13 0BA
ME13 0AN
ME9 0AY
ME13 0BT
ME13 0AL
ME13 0BU
ME9 0DJ
ME9 0ED
ME13 0AJ
ME13 0BB
ME9 0LD
ME9 0JT
ME13 0AG
ME13 0AQ
ME9 0PA
ME9 0JR
ME9 0AP
ME9 0DS
ME13 0BX
ME9 0LF
ME9 0DX
ME9 0JS
ME13 0AE
ME9 0AS
ME13 0AH
ME13 0HN
ME9 0AQ
ME13 0HW
ME9 0JW
ME9 0HG
ME9 0JJ
ME9 0JN
ME13 0BD
ME9 0LB
ME13 0HU
ME9 0AN
ME9 0AL
ME9 0HF
ME13 0BY
ME9 0RD
ME9 0DP
ME17 2EH
ME9 0RB
ME13 0HT
ME9 0DU
ME13 0HX
ME9 0RA
ME9 0QX
ME13 0BZ
ME13 0DG
ME9 0HD
ME17 2EG
ME9 0BA
ME9 0SR
ME13 0BF
ME9 0LA
ME9 0SS
ME9 0SP
ME13 0HS
ME9 0HB
ME13 0JD
ME17 2ES
ME17 2EE
ME13 0JE
ME9 0SF
ME13 0SP
ME9 0HJ
ME17 2ED
ME9 0RF
ME9 0JH
ME9 9PB
ME9 0QT
ME9 0QU
ME9 0HL
ME17 2ER
ME9 9PD
ME13 0HY
ME13 0HL
ME17 2EA
ME9 9PF
ME9 0QR
ME13 0HJ
ME9 0AJ
ME9 0HW
ME13 0JA
ME13 0JF
ME13 0RZ
ME13 0RY
ME13 0SA
ME13 0HZ
ME13 0SB
ME13 0AD
ME13 0SF
ME9 0RP
ME13 0RX
ME17 2DY
ME13 0SH
ME9 0SJ
ME13 0SQ
ME9 0EZ
ME9 0ST
ME9 0EY
ME13 0HP
ME9 0SH
ME9 0RH
ME9 0SL
ME13 0HF
ME13 0SG
ME13 0HH
ME9 0RQ
ME17 2EJ
ME17 2EB
ME9 0SB
ME9 0RE
ME9 0QP
ME9 0SE
ME9 0SG
ME9 0QW
ME9 0SQ
ME9 0RJ
ME9 0HR
ME9 0SA
ME13 0HR
ME17 2ET
TN27 0HJ
ME13 0AB
ME13 0HE
ME9 0RX
ME17 2EU
ME17 2EP
ME13 0SE
ME9 0SN
ME17 2PE
ME9 0SD
ME9 0RU
ME9 0QL
ME9 0QN
ME13 0JQ
ME9 0EF
ME9 0RT
ME9 0RL
ME9 0ER
ME17 2DX
ME13 0RU
ME13 0PG
ME9 0EA
ME9 0EP
ME13 0JG
ME13 0JH
ME9 0HS
TN27 0HH
ME9 0JQ
ME9 0AW
ME13 0HD
ME9 0EX
ME13 0SD
ME13 0QY
ME17 2DW
ME13 0RP
ME13 0RW
ME13 0RN
ME9 0SU
ME13 0RT
TN27 0HL

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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