Want to know more about an MOT Retest?
An MOT Retest is very common, but there is sometimes confusion around when, where and how much they cost.
In this article we break down all the details, including information the DSVA (Driver and Vehicle Standards organisation) retains on your vehicle and how other people can access this, particularly useful when purchasing a second hand vehicle. You can read more about that in our article Second Hand Cars
What is an MOT retest?
An MOT Retest can be completed following the failure of a MOT test. A vehicle can fail an MOT for a wide range of reasons and will be issued with a ‘Refusal of MOT Test Certificate’.
When does a retest have to be completed?
There is a deadline date for a retest. An retest application has to be completed within 10 working days of the MOT failure being recorded on the VT30 form.
How many retests can I have?
You are limited to one MOT retest per complete MOT examination.
Can I drive my car if it needs a retest?
If your current MOT has expired you cannot drive your car and should make other arrangements to get your car to a garage. There is a £1,000 fine for driving a car that does not have a valid MOT certificate. There are also increased fines and driving licence penalty points for vehicles that are considered to be more dangerous.
Do I have to have a retest at the same garage as the full MOT?
Yes, the retest has to be completed at the same garage as the original MOT failure test. As this is only a partial test, the same garage will already information and knowledge about the original MOT failure.
If you do take the vehicle to another garage, you will have to have a complete MOT again and pay the relevant full charge.
How much does an Retest cost?
If the retest is completed by the end of the next working day, there is no charge for a partial retest on one of more of these items.
- access panels
- battery
- bonnet
- bootlid
- brake pedal antislip
- break glass hammer (class 5 vehicles only)
- doors (including hinges, catches and pillars)
- door open warning device (class 5 vehicles only)
- dropsides
- electrical wiring
- emergency exits and signs (class 5 vehicles only)
- entrance door remote control (class 5 vehicles only)
- entrance/exit steps (class 5 vehicles only)
- fuel filler cap
- headlamp cleaning or levelling devices (that does not need a headlamp aim check)
- horn
- lamps (excluding headlamp aim)
- loading doormain beam ‘tell-tale’
- mirrors
- rear reflectors
- registration plates
- seatbelts (but not anchorages), seatbelt load limiter and seatbelt pre tensioner
- seats
- sharp edges or projections
- stairs (class 5 vehicles only)
- steering wheel
- tailboard
- tailgate
- trailer electrical sockets
- towbars (excluding body around anchorage points)
- tyre pressure monitoring system
- vehicle identification number (VIN)
- windscreen glass, wipers and washers
- wheels and tyres (excluding motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecar)
After this time, as this test is only partial to a full MOT, you don’t have to pay the full MOT rate again. The maximum a garage can charge for an MOT is £54.85 (correct as of 26th June 2022), meaning the most you can be charged for a retest is £27.43
How can I check when an MOT is due?
You can contact us at Ewood MOT and Service Centre by calling 01254 433383. Read our MOT page for more information on an MOT.
