How much does an MOT cost?
In Great Britain the most an MOT centre can charge for a car is £54.85, and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle; a centre can charge less. There is no VAT on the fee. In Northern Ireland a car’s MOT at a DVA test centre costs £38.00.
Last reviewed . The official sources it draws on, and the date each was read, are listed at the foot of the page.
Maximum fees in Great Britain
GOV.UK sets a maximum that an MOT centre can charge, which depends on the type of vehicle. You do not pay VAT on the fee.
| Vehicle | First MOT needed at | Maximum fee |
|---|---|---|
| Car (up to 8 passenger seats) | 3 years | £54.85 |
| Motorcycle (any engine size) | 3 years | £29.65 |
| Motorcycle with a sidecar | 3 years | £37.80 |
| Motor caravan | 3 years | £54.85 |
| Goods vehicle up to 3,000kg | 3 years | £54.85 |
| Petrol, diesel or hybrid goods vehicle, over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg | 3 years | £58.60 |
| Taxi or ambulance | 1 year | £54.85 |
Why quotes differ
Because GOV.UK sets a maximum, a centre is free to charge less, so it is worth asking for the price when you book. Cars, motor caravans, dual-purpose vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles with up to 8 seats, and goods vehicles up to 3,000kg design gross weight all fall in the same class and share the same maximum.
Fees in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s fees are listed by the DVA, which tests at its own centres. A full test of a car (Class IV) costs £38.00 and a retest £29.50. A motorcycle’s full test is £34.00.
What the fee does not include
The fee covers the test itself. Repairs for anything that fails are extra, and the retest rules decide whether you pay a second time; see the answer on paying again after a fail.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Getting an MOT (MOT costs)Read on 1 October 2026. The maximum fee table by vehicle type, the first-test ages and that no VAT is payable on the fee.
- nidirect: Vehicle test feesRead on 1 October 2026. Northern Ireland full-test and retest fees for motor vehicles.
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