Reviewing MOT Charges: Context and Considerations for UK Motorists

For more than a decade, MOT pricing has remained frozen. As the cost of running a compliant, fully equipped workshop continues to rise, the Department for Transport has launched a public consultation to examine whether the current MOT fee structure still supports both motorists and the garages delivering the tests.

Current fee facts

The MOT price cap was last updated in 2010. Today, the maximum fee remains £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for motorcycles, with £37.80 applying to motorcycles fitted with a sidecar. Standard and classic cars, along with most vans, motorhomes and campervans, fall under Class 4, so the same £54.85 cap applies.

With more than 15 years of inflation, those figures hold far less value than when they were originally set. Even so, garages continue to deliver regulated, DVSA-standard MOT testing within the same capped price, despite higher equipment costs, compliance requirements and staffing expenses.

For a full breakdown of the current MOT pricing across all vehicle classes, click here.

What prompted the consultation

Independent garages make up a significant portion of the UK’s MOT capacity. They keep rural areas, towns and local communities moving, ensuring vehicles remain safe and roadworthy.

Over recent years, many independents have raised concerns that the long-standing capped fee no longer reflects the actual cost of running a modern, compliant MOT bay. Their feedback, combined with industry-wide input—has helped trigger the Government’s latest review.

What the consultation seeks to balance

The Department for Transport is considering how to update the system without undermining key priorities, including:

• Retaining affordability for drivers

• Supporting the viability of independent garages

• Maintaining trusted DVSA testing standards

Any future change would need to support those priorities.

Potential outcomes being discussed

While there is no confirmed decision yet, industry groups expect that if adjustments are made, they will be:

• Gradual rather than sudden, allowing motorists and garages to adapt

• Targeted at long-term sustainability, not major price hikes

• Designed to create clearer, more consistent pricing between different types of providers

• Focused firmly on safety, avoiding incentives for rushed or cut-price testing

The aim appears to be a balanced model that keeps road safety at the forefront while ensuring testing centres can continue operating viably.

What drivers need to know now

At present, nothing changes.

The existing cap still applies, and MOTs remain a legal requirement for eligible vehicles once they reach the appropriate age. Motorists should continue booking and completing their tests as usual.

Looking at value

When you consider what an MOT involves; a trained technician, carefully regulated equipment, structured inspection time, administrative work and DVSA compliance, the current capped fee offers significant value.

A thorough MOT doesn’t just tick a legal box; it can highlight issues long before they become dangerous or costly. In that sense, the test remains one of the most cost-effective safety measures available to drivers and riders.

This information is shared for awareness. The consultation continues and final decisions have not yet been made. Drivers can follow official updates through Government sources including: https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot