Common failure items and typical repair costs
Figures below are typical independent garage prices including parts and fitting. The MOT test fee itself is capped at £54.85 for a car.
| Job | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Blown bulb or faulty lamp | £10 to £60 |
| Worn or damaged tyre (each) | £60 to £200 |
| Wiper blades or washer fault | £15 to £60 |
| Brake pads and discs, one axle | £200 to £400 |
| Suspension component or bush | £150 to £350 |
| Exhaust leak or blowing section | £100 to £350 |
| Windscreen chip in the driver's view | £40 to £400 |
| Emissions failure (sensor, EGR or cat) | £150 to £700 |
| Registration plate or number plate lamp | £20 to £60 |
What affects the cost
Lighting and signalling
The single most common failure category, and the cheapest to avoid. Walk around the car with the lights on and get someone to check the brake lights before the test.
Suspension and brakes
Together these account for a large share of failures. Corroded springs, leaking dampers, worn bushes and brakes below the wear limit all fail outright.
Tyres
The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread. Bulges, cords showing and mismatched tyres across an axle also fail.
Visibility items
Windscreen damage in the driver's view over 10mm, worn wipers and blocked washers fail. So does a discoloured or obscured number plate.
Free checks to do before your MOT
- Check every bulb: headlights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights and plate lamps.
- Check tyre tread with a 20p coin and look for bulges or damage on the sidewalls.
- Top up the screenwash and test the washers and wipers.
- Check the horn, seatbelt operation and that all warning lights go out after starting.
- Clear the boot and clean the car, since testers can refuse an excessively dirty vehicle.
How to pay a fair price
If your car fails, you can take it away and return within ten working days for a partial retest, which is usually free or a small fee. You do not have to use the testing garage for the repair. Getting a couple of quotes on the failure items often saves more than the test costs.
Compare local quotesFrequently asked questions
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