How Much time Does a MOT take?

An MOT test takes between 45 and 60 minutes on average, but there are a few more factors to consider.

First and foremost, if your car fails the test and repairs are required, the process will take longer.

Unless your old MOT certificate is still valid or you're taking the car to have the problems fixed, an MOT centre is not authorised to let you drive away a car that has failed an MOT until the problems are fixed.

Second, the test may take an hour or less, but it does not mean your car will just be at the garage for 60 minutes if no repairs are needed.

You may be required to drop off your car first thing in the morning and pick it up when it is ready.

This implies you should plan on being without your car for the whole day.

What is the cost of an MOT?

The maximum amount that official test centres can charge for an MOT is regulated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

The current rate is £54.85 for vehicles and motor caravans and £29.65 for motorcycles, however many garages charge less – often up to 50% less.

Find out how to save money on your car's next MOT by searching for "cheap MOT," "MOT discount," or "MOT Reading" on the internet.

An MOT may also be included in the price of full car service. While it is a good idea to maintain your vehicle on a regular basis, a service, especially if it includes an MOT, is likely to cost more than an MOT on its own.

The top five reasons why vehicles fail the MOT test

Nearly two-fifths of MOT tests fail on the first try.

However, this is frequently due to small flaws that the owner might have simply rectified before paying for a test.

Here are a few reasons why your automobile can fail its MOT:

1. The screen wash has not been refilled. Don't be surprised if this simple task takes a few minutes.

2. The vehicle was filthy or cluttered. Clean up the litter in the boot and cabin, then wipe off the glass and mirrors.

3. A difficulty with the registration plate. The plate, for example, had the wrong typeface/spacing, was dusty, or was missing entirely. If you have a personalised plate, check that it complies with DVLA regulations.

4. The driver's view is obstructed by stickers on the windscreen. Ensure that anything attached to the windscreen, such as parking permits, is outside the swept area of the wipers.

5. On the dashboard, a warning light has illuminated. Since 2012, the MOT has integrated illuminated warning lights. So, before the MOT, make sure you understand what lit-up car warning lights represent and, if necessary, address the underlying issue.

Checklist to assist you in passing your vehicle's MOT

Check your vehicle against the 11-point checklist below to make sure you're not caught off guard by any of the five easy reasons for a failure listed above.

If you discover any issues in the sections below, you may address some of them yourself to help keep garage prices down:

1. Headlights and indicators

Front, rear, headlights (the main beam and dipped), danger lights, and indicators are all examples of headlights and indicators. If any of them aren't working, look for damaged bulbs and replace them first.

2. Brake lights

Ask someone else to check whether the rear brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal.

3. Tyres

Make sure all of your tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread depth, otherwise they'll be reported as an MOT 'fail'. A 20p coin may simply be used for this - see the diagram on the Tyre Safe website. Examine the sidewalls for any damage, such as cracks in the tread, bulges, or cuts. Also, make sure the tyre pressure is proper – the exact pressure will be listed in the car's handbook, and it may also be on the sidewall of the tyre itself – and adjust it at a gas station if required.

4. Handbrake

Make sure your handbrake is in good working order. If it moves up and down without resistance and can't be ratcheted to a certain setting, there's an issue that has to be addressed by a skilled mechanic.

5. Seats and seatbelts

Make that the driver's seat adjusts forward and rearward and look for any damage along the whole length of the seatbelt. Check that all of the seatbelts are properly fastened and locked when you give them a vigorous tug.

6. Windscreen

Any damage broader than 10mm in the driver's central vision, as well as any damage greater than 40mm in the whole swept area, will result in an MOT failure.

7. Windscreen wipers

In addition to the washers, ensure sure your wipers clean your windscreen effectively. Any rips or holes in the wiper rubber might result in an MOT failure.

8. Suspension check

Put your weight to each corner of the vehicle and immediately release it to check the shock absorbers. The car's corner should return to its original position immediately. If it bounces more than twice, the shock absorbers may be broken and need to be replaced.

9. Horn

Give a quick blast of the horn. if it doesn't work or isn't loud enough to grab the attention of pedestrians or other motorists' attention, get it fixed.

10. Exhaust

Listen for strange noises or abnormal smoke from the back of the car when the engine is running in a well-ventilated, normal-temperature environment.

11. Fuel and engine oil

Make sure your car has enough fuel and engine oil to pass the MOT. You may be turned away if there isn't enough to correctly test your car's emissions levels.

If your vehicle's MOT fails

If your vehicle fails its MOT, the test centre will issue you a VT3O Certificate that explains why.

The MOT categories for failures and passes were modified on 20th May 2018 as follows:

· Dangerous fault

You won't be able to drive your vehicle away if it has a serious flaw. If the garage where you received your MOT does repairs, get an estimate from them, and then phone around for prices from other local garages. Even if they have to tow your vehicle to their garage, you might be able to get the repairs for less money.

· Major fault

If your vehicle has a serious problem but is still roadworthy and your prior MOT hasn't expired, you may be permitted to drive it away.

· Expired MOT

If your MOT has expired but the vehicle is still roadworthy, you can drive it to a pre-arranged MOT.

MOT retest

To make your car roadworthy, you must first address any major and dangerous faults, then schedule a partial MOT retest, which your car must pass before you can drive it again.

If you leave your car with the test centre for repairs, you will be eligible for a free partial retest if you do so within 10 working days of the MOT failing.

The test is usually free if you take your car away for repairs and return it by the end of the next working day. Which sections are retested determines whether it is free or not?

If you return to the same test centre within 10 working days for a partial retest, you'll be charged a lesser cost, but it won't be free.

Expired MOT

It is illegal to drive your vehicle on the road if your MOT has expired, and you may be penalised if you do so.

Your vehicle insurance will be invalidated if you drive without a current MOT. As a result, if you have an accident, you may not be protected.

Only if you had an MOT scheduled and were driving your car to the test would you be exempt.

Lost MOT certificate

If you've misplaced your MOT certificate, there are two options for getting a replacement.

1. The first is completely free. Simply go to the GOV.UK website to read, print, and save any MOT certificate that was issued after May 20, 2018. All you'll need is the vehicle's registration number and the 11-digit reference number from the V5C, commonly known as a logbook, with no gaps.

2. The second option is £10. You can take your car to an MOT test centre and provide the registration number as well as the V5C reference number.

Although an MOT certificate is not required to sell a car, many purchasers may want to view it.

An MOT certificate is also required to tax your car and to modify its tax class, such as receiving free tax for a disabled driver.