The true cost of an MOT failure
The MOT test is a legal requirement for UK drivers. But what many don’t realise is that failing can lead to hundreds in extra costs – from retest fees to urgent repairs. While the standard MOT costs £54.85 for cars, hidden expenses can quickly spiral if your vehicle doesn’t pass first time.
So, let’s show you the true cost of MOT failures (retests, parts, labour), the most common reasons for failure (and how to avoid them) – plus some smart ways to cut costs before your test is due.
The true cost of an MOT failure
1 in 3 cars fail their first MOT, often due to totally avoidable issues. Even if they’re an easy fix, there’s going to be some cost involved.
Your first is likely to be a retest fee. If repairs take longer than expected to make, you’ll have to pay another full MOT fee (£54.85) to get your vehicle retested. Some MOT test centres offer free, partial retests if your car is fixed within 10 working days (under government guidelines) – but this is dependent on the extent of repairs.
We will carry out minor repairs, free of charge; but anything bigger will have to be undertaken by a repair centre. We also offer free partial retests, as per the government guidance.
More extensive repairs can spiral, and costs can mount up – which is why regular servicing and maintenance are so vital.
Besides the initial costs you’ll face from a failed MOT, there are longer term expenses to consider. One is that a poorly maintained vehicle will have ongoing performance issues, leading to increased fuel consumption. Another is that some failures can be weak points in your car for the rest of its life – and it may continue to fail for the same reasons, leading to the same repairs over and over.
But another hidden cost that many people don’t consider are increased insurance premiums. Insurers have access to the MOT database, and will closely monitor your MOT failures. They’ll use them to assess your risk, and adjust your insurance costs based on them.
Read more – How MOTs Impact Car Insurance
Most common MOT failures (and how to avoid them)
The most common MOT failures are caused by:
❌ Faulty lights
❌ Worn tyres
❌ Suspension issues
❌ Wipers and windshields
Learn how to avoid them with our quick and useful guide on pre-MOT checks.
How to minimise your MOT costs
After checking out our pre-MOT checklist, carry out any repairs you can by yourself – and for anything else, consult your local (or trusted) garage.
Choose an MOT test centre that offers free retests, in line with government guidelines. Most do within 10 days, including We Only Do MOTs!
If your car does fail its MOT, try to get repairs done on the same day, to avoid a second full fee. If you choose us to do your MOT, we’ll carry out minor repairs for free – for anything bigger, you’ll need to go to your trusted garage.
Avoid getting missold
Some garages who do MOTs and repairs will exaggerate the extent of repairs needed. They’ll seek to make as much money of your MOT fail as possible – so if your car fails the MOT, make sure to ask for a failure report.
This way, you can properly assess what’s needed and compare quotes if major work is required. At We Only Do MOTs, we only do MOTs; we have no vested interest in giving you a whopping repair bill. So, try to find a test centre that you can trust to give you an honest outcome – to avoid being oversold.
When to walk away
If repair bills exceed 50% of your car’s value, consider selling it for scrap and spares, or trading it in on part exchange for a newer car. The gains from repairing a car that is on its last legs are going to be fleeting.
Book your MOT now
Book your MOT test in Boyatt Wood today, with We Only Do MOTs. We promise to provide an impartial, independent MOT to everyone – and will carry out most minor repairs for free.
Send your message to enquiries@onlydomots.co.uk or call us on 023 8064 7180
