MOT Your Car

This test is compulsory for all cars over 3 years and from then on a yearly inspection - on the date of your car's registration - will be required in order to keep your car active and on the road. You can also check when your vehicle's next MOT is due on the gov.uk website. When your car passes its MOT, you will receive a test certificate with the expiry date so you can be prepared for your next test.

It is against the law to drive a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate. Without a valid MOT, you risk facing fines of up to £1,000 and penalties of up to six points on your driving license. You are allowed to drive your vehicle to a pre-booked MOT test appointment such as from Carbase if the previous certificate has expired.

Generally, an MOT will take between 45 minutes to an hour. However, if your vehicle was to fail, or the technician finds faults, then it could take longer to account for the time needed to make repairs. Even if your actual MOT takes under 60 minutes, you might have to consider dropping your car off in the morning, so it is always worth preparing alternative travel until you collect your car.

The cost of an MOT can vary depending on several factors. In the UK, the maximum price a garage can charge for an MOT test is set by the government. Currently, the maximum fee for a car is £54.85, while for a motorbike, it is £29.65. However, these are only the maximum charges, and prices can vary between different garages. If any repairs or replacements are needed to pass the MOT, the costs for these will be separate from the test fee.

Yes, our valued members will receive 50% off their MOT test fee along with 10% off any parts required.

During an MOT test, various aspects of a vehicle are thoroughly inspected to ensure its safety and compliance with environmental standards. This includes:

• Brakes - Checked for efficiency and balance.
• Tyres - Examined for tread depth, condition, and integrity.
• Lights - Including headlights, indicators and brake lights are tested to ensure they are working properly.
• Seatbelts - Examined for damage or malfunctioning mechanisms.
• Steering & Suspension - Inspected for any wear or damage that may affect handling.
• Emissions - Measured to ensure they are within legal limits.

If your vehicle fails its MOT, you will receive a refusal of an MOT test certificate (VT30) which states the reasons for the failure. This means that your vehicle is officially unroadworthy until the necessary repairs and retests are completed and therefore illegal to drive.