How do I appeal an MOT result?

Talk to the test centre first, then appeal to DVSA by emailing its appeal form. The deadline is 14 working days to challenge a fail, 28 days to challenge a pass, or 3 months if a pass concerns corrosion. A DVSA examiner contacts you within 5 working days. Avoid repairs until the appeal is settled.

Last reviewed 1 October 2026. The official sources it draws on, and the date each was read, are listed at the foot of the page.

Before you appeal

GOV.UK says to discuss the result with the MOT centre first, because they can explain how they assessed the car against the inspection manual. Appeal if you still think the result is wrong after that conversation.

Repairing the car before you appeal can affect the outcome, so wait for the appeal to finish first.

The deadlines

Appeal deadlines, counted from the day of the test (DVSA)
What you are challenging	Deadline
A fail you think should have been a pass	14 working days
A pass you think should have failed (corrosion)	3 months
A pass you think should have failed (any other problem)	28 calendar days

How to appeal and what it costs

Fill in the appeal form and email it to DVSA by the deadline, or post it if you cannot email. A DVSA vehicle examiner contacts you within 5 working days and, if they decide the car needs retesting, arranges a place, date and time.

If you are appealing against a fail, the examiner carries out a full MOT test and you pay the maximum MOT fee for your vehicle type before it starts. For a car that is £54.85, refunded if the car passes. Appealing against a pass costs nothing.

After an appeal against a fail, the examiner adds the retest to the car’s MOT history, and the result you appealed against stays on it. After an appeal against a pass you get an inspection report, but DVSA does not give a new MOT test result or update the MOT history.

If your complaint is about the garage

DVSA cannot help you take action against a test centre. You can take your own action through Trading Standards, personal legal proceedings or by reporting the centre to the police.

Northern Ireland

This is the route for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland’s MOT is run by the DVA rather than DVSA, so a DVSA appeal does not apply; use nidirect for the DVA’s own process.

Sources

GOV.UK: Appeal an MOT test resultRead on 1 October 2026. The appeal form route, the three deadlines, the 5-working-day contact, the fee for appealing a fail and the refund; a fail appeal adds the retest to the MOT history and a pass appeal does not.
GOV.UK: Getting an MOT (test result appeals)Read on 1 October 2026. Discuss the result with the centre first, do not repair until the appeal ends, and DVSA cannot take action against a centre.

Looking for a car?

Browse used cars listed by UK dealers on Autoza.

Find a car