The Government has issued a statement after trade bodies proposed nearly doubling the cost of a car MOT test. Currently, the maximum amount a garage can legally charge for a standard car MOT test in the UK is £54.85, a ceiling that has remained unchanged since 2010.
Trade body calls for 73% increase
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is pushing for this to rise to £95, a 73% increase. The IGA claims the existing price has failed to keep pace with inflation and says garages are grappling with rising costs for labour, rent, equipment, fuel and energy. According to a Bank of England calculator, an MOT would cost £87.54 today if adjusted for inflation, the Mirror reports.
The IGA, along with other industry bodies, is scheduled to meet with the Department for Transport (DfT) on 21 October, where raising the MOT price cap will be discussed.
Government response
Stuart James, chief executive of the IGA, said: "It is a fact that the current MOT fee has remained static for 16 years. We are being advised by garage owners that without a significant increase to the MOT fee, they cannot continue to sustain this ever-increasing cost burden. As the representative body for the independent garage sector, the IGA will continue to challenge the Government to deliver an acceptable resolution to this issue before it causes a level of consumer detriment."
In response, a spokesman from the DfT said: "We have no current plans to increase the MOT fee, but keep it under constant review, working with the DVSA and the sector to balance affordability for motorists with the financial sustainability of garages."
MOT requirements
Earlier this year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) raised MOT fees for HGVs and coaches, though private cars were excluded from the changes.
An MOT is an annual examination assessing essential components of a vehicle, including brakes, lights, tyres, steering, and suspension, to confirm it meets the necessary safety requirements. It is a legal requirement for any vehicle aged over three years, with more than 32 million vehicles undergoing the test annually. Motorists without a valid MOT certificate could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Drivers can verify whether their vehicle holds a valid MOT by using a free government online checker. The tool also displays previous MOT test history and any advisories that were flagged.
