March is the busiest MOT month. Learn why, how to avoid the rush, best booking times, price surges, and save £10-£30 by booking strategically.
Did you know March is the busiest month for MOT tests in the UK? Over 2.5 million vehicles are tested in March each year – that's 50% more than the average month – leading to fully booked garages, inflated prices, and longer wait times.
But here's the good news: you can book your MOT up to 1 month early without losing any validity. This simple strategy can save you £10-£30 and avoid the stress of last-minute availability issues.
This guide explains why March (and September) are so busy, when to book for the best prices, how to avoid the rush, and which months offer the cheapest MOT deals.
✅ January-February: Quietest months, best promotions, garages desperate for business
✅ May-June: Between peak seasons, good availability
✅ October-November: Pre-Christmas lull, discounts common
Potential savings: £10-£30 vs peak prices
❌ March: Busiest month (2.5M+ tests), prices rise £5-£15, wait times 7-14 days
❌ September: Second busiest (2.1M+ tests), similar price surges
Why avoid? Limited availability, higher prices, rushed testing
✅ Book 1 month early: MOT done in February if due in March (keeps full validity)
✅ Book mid-week: Tuesday-Thursday less busy than Monday/Friday
✅ Avoid end-of-month: Last 5 days of each month are busiest (panic bookings)
The reason: UK number plates change in March and September each year.
How it works:
The scale:
Example:
Same problem, slightly smaller:
Why September is smaller:
| Month | Estimated MOT Tests (UK) | % of Annual Total | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4 million | 7.5% | ⭐⭐⭐ Very Low |
| February | 1.3 million | 7.0% | ⭐⭐⭐ Very Low |
| March | 2.5 million | 13.5% | 🔥🔥🔥 PEAK |
| April | 1.6 million | 8.5% | ⚠️ Moderate |
| May | 1.5 million | 8.0% | ⭐⭐ Low |
| June | 1.5 million | 8.0% | ⭐⭐ Low |
| July | 1.6 million | 8.5% | ⭐ Moderate |
| August | 1.7 million | 9.0% | ⚠️ Moderate |
| September | 2.1 million | 11.5% | 🔥🔥 Very Busy |
| October | 1.6 million | 8.5% | ⭐ Moderate |
| November | 1.4 million | 7.5% | ⭐⭐ Low |
| December | 1.3 million | 7.0% | ⭐⭐⭐ Very Low |
Key insight: March has nearly double the tests of January/February.
Chain garages increase prices during peak:
Independent garages also raise prices:
Typical increase: £10-£20 per MOT
Why? Simple economics – demand exceeds supply, garages have pricing power.
Wait times during March:
Off-peak wait times:
Problem: If your MOT expires mid-March and you wait until last minute, you might:
When garages are overloaded:
This cuts both ways:
Off-peak testing:
If you fail during March:
Result: Pay full MOT fee again (£54.85)
Off-peak: Retest slots usually available next day or within 2-3 days.
The rule: You can MOT up to 1 month before expiry without losing time.
How it works:
Benefits:
No downside: You don't lose any validity – the MOT still expires in March.
If your MOT expired in March and you're now late:
Legal note: You cannot drive without MOT (except to pre-booked test). So:
National chains (Halfords, Kwik Fit, ATS Euromaster, National Tyres) run deals in quiet months:
Typical offers:
How to find offers:
Example:
Avoid the busiest times:
❌ Busy times:
✅ Quieter times:
Benefit: Better availability, less rushed testing.
During peak season, expand your search:
Example:
Based on 2024 data from UK chain garages:
Why cheap?
Typical prices:
Best for: Anyone with MOT due January-February.
Why cheap?
Typical prices:
Best for: Booking early before March expiry.
Why cheap?
Typical prices:
Best for: Anyone with MOT due May-July.
Why cheap?
Typical prices:
Best for: Booking early before December expiry.
Problems:
Only book in March if:
Problems:
Better than March, but still avoid if possible.
Problems:
Best strategy: Book in November if MOT due in December.
| Booking Time | Price | Savings vs Peak |
|---|---|---|
| January (off-peak) | £19.99 | £25 saved |
| March (peak) | £44.99 | Baseline |
| Booking Time | Price | Savings vs Peak |
|---|---|---|
| February (off-peak) | £35 | £15 saved |
| March (peak) | £50 | Baseline |
| Booking Time | Price | Savings vs Peak |
|---|---|---|
| May (off-peak) | £40 | £14.85 saved |
| September (peak) | £54.85 | Baseline |
Average savings by booking off-peak: £10-£30
| Your MOT Expires | Best Booking Window | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | December | Pre-Christmas discounts |
| February | January | Cheapest month |
| March | February (1 month early) | Avoid March rush |
| April | March | Peak over, prices normalise |
| May | April-May | Low demand, good prices |
| June | May-June | Low demand, good prices |
| July | June-July | Moderate demand |
| August | July-August | Before September rush |
| September | August (1 month early) | Avoid September rush |
| October | September-October | Post-rush calm |
| November | October-November | Low demand, discounts |
| December | November | Avoid Christmas closures |
How to check:
Example result:
Rule: 1 month before expiry
Calculation:
Online booking (easiest):
Phone booking:
When you pass:
Example:
Truth: No. Your MOT expires 12 months from the original date, not from the test date.
Example:
You gain 59 extra days of validity.
Truth: Garages love early bookings (fills quiet periods). They'll test any car, any time.
Legal: You can MOT a car with 11 months still remaining if you want (you'd lose validity, but it's allowed).
Truth: Chain garages raise prices more than independents. Shop around.
Example:
Truth: You can tax as soon as you have a valid MOT – even if it's 1 month early.
Example:
If you forgot to book early and your MOT expires soon:
Check availability at:
Call, don't just check online – garages might have cancellations not reflected online.
If garages are fully booked during the day:
If cheap garages are fully booked:
Remember: Driving without MOT = £1,000 fine.
Since you can't afford to fail (tight timeline):
Use our MOT Checklist to ensure you pass first time.
Yes, but:
Example:
Best practice: Book exactly 1 month early to maximise validity.
Options:
Legal reminder: You can drive to a pre-booked MOT appointment even if MOT has expired (but nowhere else).
Yes. By early April (5-10 April), most garages return to normal pricing.
Typical drop:
Nearly, but not quite.
Comparison:
| Metric | March | September |
|---|---|---|
| Tests conducted | 2.5M | 2.1M |
| Price increase | £10-£20 | £8-£15 |
| Wait times | 7-14 days | 5-10 days |
| Severity | 🔥🔥🔥 | 🔥🔥 |
Advice: Still book 1 month early (August) if MOT due in September.
✅ Book 1 month early (February for March expiry) – keeps full validity
✅ Avoid March and September unless absolutely necessary
✅ Best months: January-February, May-June, October-November
✅ Worst months: March (busiest), September (second busiest), December (closures)
✅ Save £10-£30 by booking off-peak
✅ Check multiple garages if peak booking unavoidable
✅ Book mid-week, mid-month for best availability
✅ Sign up for chain emails to receive promotional offers
✅ Don't lose validity – book within 1 month of expiry
The March MOT rush is predictable and avoidable. By booking just one month early in February, you'll skip the queues, save £10-£30, get better availability, and enjoy more thorough testing. Set a reminder now for 1 month before your MOT expires – your wallet (and stress levels) will thank you.
Find out when your MOT is due with our free checker. Learn MOT frequency rules, avoid the £1,000 fine, and understand why there's no grace period.
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