The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that maximum MOT service charges for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses, coaches, and trailers will increase from July 6, 2026. The changes follow a formal consultation process that ran from September 25 to November 21, 2025.
New Maximum Charges from July 6, 2026
From July 6, 2026, the maximum service charge for HGVs will rise to £70, up from the current £55. For trailers, the new maximum is £50, an increase from £40. Buses and coaches will see the maximum charge go to £90, compared to the current £70. These charges are the maximum rates that Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) can charge customers for using their facilities.
The DVSA noted that the current maximum charges had not been increased since 2010. The new charges remain lower than if they had been uprated in line with CPI inflation, which would have resulted in £85 for HGVs, £62 for trailers, and £108 for buses and coaches.
Consultation Results Show Strong Support
The consultation received 634 responses. Among ATFs, 99% were in favour of raising the maximum service charge. Among respondents who were both vehicle operators and ATFs, 95% backed the proposals. However, support dropped to 62% among vehicle operators alone.
The Road Haulage Association cautioned during the consultation that even a 9–11% rise in total test costs could be substantial for operators working on narrow margins, particularly smaller businesses.
Impact on Total Test Costs
The DVSA calculated that the maximum rise in total test costs, including the DVSA statutory fee, would be 9% for HGVs, 11% for trailers, and 11% for buses and coaches. The average statutory test fee is £114 for HGVs, £54 for trailers, and £116 for buses and coaches.
The adjustments are intended to help ATFs cover escalating costs and plan for future testing equipment requirements. ATFs are not obliged to charge the maximum amount; some may charge lower amounts or no service charge under certain circumstances, such as when testing their own vehicles or incorporating the test as part of a broader service package.
No Changes for Cars and Motorcycles
There will be no changes to the maximum cost of an MOT for cars and motorcycles, which will remain at £54.85 and £29.65, respectively.
Earlier this year, the Department for Transport announced that electric vans weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes will transition to the Class 7 MOT testing regime, bypassing additional bureaucracy.
