Find the cheapest MOT in your area. Compare average MOT costs across UK regions, from London (£45-£65) to Scotland (£25-£45), plus money-saving tips.
MOT prices can vary by up to £40 depending on where you live in the UK. While the maximum legal fee is £54.85 for cars, many garages charge significantly less – especially outside major cities.
This guide reveals average MOT costs across all UK regions, explains why prices vary so dramatically, and shows you how to find the cheapest MOT test in your local area without compromising on quality.
| Region | Average MOT Cost | Typical Range | Price Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £30-£35 | £25-£45 | ⭐⭐⭐ Cheapest |
| North East England | £30-£38 | £28-£48 | ⭐⭐⭐ Very Cheap |
| North West England | £32-£40 | £30-£50 | ⭐⭐ Cheap |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £33-£42 | £30-£52 | ⭐⭐ Cheap |
| Wales | £35-£42 | £30-£50 | ⭐⭐ Cheap |
| West Midlands | £35-£45 | £32-£54 | ⭐ Moderate |
| East Midlands | £36-£44 | £32-£52 | ⭐ Moderate |
| East of England | £38-£48 | £35-£54 | ⭐ Moderate |
| South West England | £38-£48 | £35-£54 | ⭐ Moderate |
| South East England | £42-£52 | £38-£54.85 | 💷 Expensive |
| London | £45-£54 | £40-£54.85 | 💷💷 Most Expensive |
Key insight: You could save up to £25 per year simply by living in Scotland instead of London – or by shopping around for the best local deal.
MOT testing is regulated, but garages can charge whatever they like up to the maximum fee (£54.85 for cars). Here's why some areas are cheaper than others:
London and South East:
Scotland and North East:
More competition = lower prices:
Example:
Low-cost MOT centres (chains like Halfords, Kwik Fit):
Independent garages:
Council MOT centres:
Peak periods (March, September):
Off-peak months (January, May-June):
Why so expensive?
Where to find cheaper MOTs in London:
Top tip: Book in January-February or May-June when chains run £19.99-£29.99 offers.
Includes: Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire
Why expensive?
Where to find cheaper MOTs:
Savings strategy: Drive 10-15 miles to a less affluent area – could save £10-£15.
Includes: Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk
Price variation:
Best deals: Market towns and rural areas with multiple independent garages competing.
Includes: Bristol, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset
Price variation:
Tourist areas: Expect higher prices in peak summer (June-August) in coastal towns.
Includes: Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent
Why moderate pricing?
Best deals:
Includes: Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire
Price patterns:
Includes: Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Hull, York
Why cheap?
Best deals:
Includes: Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Lancaster, Cumbria
Why cheap?
Best deals:
Includes: Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Durham
Why very cheap?
Best deals:
Top region for value: Consistently among UK's cheapest.
Price variation:
Council MOT centres: Available in some Welsh councils at maximum £54.85 (unbiased testing).
Why the cheapest?
Price patterns:
Special note: Some Scottish garages charge as low as £20-£25 as loss leaders.
Free tools:
What to look for:
Chains offering regular MOT deals:
| Garage Chain | Typical Offer Price | Peak Price |
|---|---|---|
| Halfords Autocentres | £25-£35 | £45-£54.85 |
| Kwik Fit | £29.99-£39.99 | £45-£54.85 |
| ATS Euromaster | £30-£40 | £45-£54.85 |
| National Tyres | £25-£35 | £40-£54.85 |
| Tesco Autocentre | £30-£40 | £45-£54.85 |
Pro tip: Sign up for email newsletters to receive discount codes (often 20-40% off).
Cheapest months:
Avoid if possible:
Potential savings: £10-£25 by booking off-peak.
Sometimes bundles are cheaper:
Worth considering if:
Avoid if:
Pros:
Cons:
When to use:
How to find: Search "[your council] MOT centre" or check your local authority website.
Even cheap MOT deals can have hidden extras:
The tactic:
How to avoid:
Standard practice:
What some garages do:
Some garages charge extra:
Worth it? Only if your time is valuable. Otherwise, drop off and save.
❌ £10-£15 MOTs with no reviews – Possible scams or desperate garages ❌ No website or online presence – Hard to verify legitimacy ❌ Pressure to book repairs on the spot – Conflict of interest ❌ Refusing to explain failures – Lack of transparency
✅ Specialist garages for your vehicle:
✅ Garages with excellent reviews:
✅ Garages you trust for repairs:
Garages can charge up to the maximum (£54.85 for cars), but there's no minimum. Your garage might:
Solution: Shop around – you're not obligated to use the same garage every year.
Yes, but consider:
Worth it if:
Sometimes. Sites like BookMyGarage and WhoCanFixMyCar negotiate discounts with garages (5-15% off). But:
The maximum fee is reviewed annually by the government. Recent increases:
Garage prices: Independent garages may increase their prices with inflation, but competitive areas tend to stay stable.
✅ Book off-peak: January-February or May-June (save £10-£25)
✅ Compare online: Use gov.uk or WhoCanFixMyCar.com (save £5-£15)
✅ Check chain promotions: Halfords, Kwik Fit often have £25-£35 deals (save £15-£30)
✅ Book early: MOT can be done up to 1 month before expiry without losing time (avoids last-minute premiums)
✅ Read reviews: Don't choose cheapest if garage has poor ratings
✅ Get second opinion: If garage fails you with expensive repairs, get another garage to check
✅ Bundle with service: Sometimes MOT + service packages save money overall
❌ Don't sacrifice quality: £54.85 at a trusted garage beats £20 at a dodgy one
| Vehicle Class | Max Fee | Scotland Avg | North East Avg | London Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car (Class 4) | £54.85 | £30-£35 | £30-£38 | £45-£54 |
| Motorcycle (Class 1/2) | £29.65 | £20-£25 | £20-£28 | £25-£29.65 |
| Van <3,000kg (Class 4) | £54.85 | £30-£40 | £32-£42 | £45-£54.85 |
| Van 3,000-3,500kg (Class 7) | £58.60 | £35-£45 | £38-£48 | £50-£58.60 |
You don't have to pay maximum price for an MOT. With a little research and smart timing, you can save £15-£30 per year – and over a vehicle's lifetime, that adds up to hundreds of pounds. Shop around, book off-peak, and choose quality over rock-bottom prices.
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