MOT Garages Near Me

Using Approved Garages' is a simple way to find a trusted MOT in your local area. You can rely on our network of over 1,200 reputable garages that conduct MOT testing. It’s easy to find an MOT garage that's convenient for you. 

After you’ve found an MOT garage near you, you can view the ratings and reviews left by previous customers, the garage’s opening times and contact details. You can then book your MOT tests in just a few clicks.

An MOT, or Ministry of Transport test, is a yearly inspection that checks if a car meets road safety and environmental standards. An MOT test checks:

• • Brakes

• • Lights 

• • Mirrors

• • Seatbelts

• • Front windscreen wipers

• • Fuel system 

• • Exhaust system 

It’s illegal to drive without a valid MOT certificate and it can result in a fine of up to £1,000. If you drive a vehicle that would be considered ‘dangerous’ in an MOT test you can be fined up to £2,500 and potentially receive three penalty points on your licence or even a driving ban.

Most MOT tests take around 45 - 60 minutes to complete. However, if your vehicle fails its MOT, the necessary repairs and retest will likely take longer.

Every vehicle that is more than three years old requires an annual MOT test. You must take your car for an MOT test every year to ensure your vehicle is safe and legal to drive. 

The government sets maximum prices that garages can charge for an MOT test. The maximum fee for a car is £54.85 and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle (correct as of August 2024). 

You can check if your vehicle has a valid MOT and when it runs using the GOV.UK website’s MOT Status Check. All you’ll need is your car registration number (number plate). This service will also tell you whether the vehicle is taxed. 

The most common MOT failures that you should try to avoid are:

• • Blown light bulbs. These are one of the most common causes of failure, but cheap to fix.

• • Worn tyres. MOT testers will look at your tyres tread to ensure it’s over the minimum (1.6mm) and check for signs of excessive wear. 

• • Empty windscreen fluid. This can cause you to fail an MOT. Always check that you have windscreen fluid before you take your car for its MOT test. You should also check your front windscreen wipers are operational. 

• • Power steering fluid. This is another thing that’s extremely simple to check before you take your car for its test. 

• • Brake pads and discs. This is another common cause of failure, but this can be more expensive to rectify. If you have a spongy brake pedal or you feel the car pulling to the left or right, this is a sign your brake pads need replacing.  

If your car fails its MOT, it will need to have any repairs carried out and then it will need a MOT retest or partial retest (many garages will offer a free retest if they complete the repairs themselves). If you prefer to get your car repaired elsewhere, you can drive it to another garage provided its MOT is still valid and no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed on the MOT. 

Many reputable garages will offer a free retest provided the repairs are carried out by them. You should always check the cost of a retest before you book your car in for its MOT.

An MOT test and a service are both checks to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive but they serve different purposes. An MOT is a mandatory annual inspection that every car over three years old must have. If a car passes its MOT it means it’s roadworthy and safe enough to drive legally.  

However, a service is an optional health check that can be completed annually. It checks the car’s general condition and fluid levels to ensure it's running optimally. Unlike an MOT, a service is not a legal requirement. Many people book a service at the same time as an MOT to ensure their car is both safe and running efficiently.