MOT Test Price Increase to £95: What UK Drivers Need to Know

Updated: 23 August 2026

UK motorists could face a significant increase in the cost of an MOT test after the Independent Garage Association (IGA) called for the maximum MOT fee for cars to rise to at least £95.

The current maximum fee for a standard Class 4 car MOT is £54.85, meaning the proposed £95 figure would represent an increase of around 73%.

However, drivers should not panic just yet.

The £95 MOT fee has not been approved or introduced by the Government. It is currently a proposal being put forward by the Independent Garage Association as part of its campaign for the MOT fee to be reviewed.

So, what exactly is being proposed, why could MOT prices increase, and what would it mean for UK motorists?

Here is what you need to know.

Why Could the Price of an MOT Increase?

The Independent Garage Association, which represents independent garages across the UK, is calling on the Government to substantially increase the statutory MOT fee.

The maximum fee for a Class 4 MOT has remained at £54.85 since 2010. The IGA argues that garage operating costs have increased considerably during that time, making the existing maximum fee increasingly difficult for MOT testing stations to work with.

Garages have to cover costs associated with running an MOT testing facility, including technicians, equipment, premises, training and compliance requirements.

The IGA believes simply adjusting the existing fee slightly would no longer be enough and is asking the Government to increase the maximum MOT fee to at least £95.

How Much Does an MOT Cost Currently?

For most cars in Great Britain, the current statutory maximum MOT fee is:

£54.85 for a Class 4 car

This is the maximum an MOT testing station can charge for the test itself.

Some garages already charge considerably less than £54.85, particularly where MOT testing is offered alongside servicing or repairs.

The official GOV.UK MOT fee schedule currently continues to list £54.85 as the maximum fee for a car with up to eight passenger seats.

There are different fees for motorcycles, larger passenger vehicles and Class 7 goods vehicles.

MOT arrangements also differ in Northern Ireland, so drivers there should check the specific Northern Ireland testing system.

Is the MOT Price Definitely Increasing to £95?

No.

This is probably the most important point for motorists to understand.

As of 23 August 2026, the Government has not announced that MOT tests will cost £95.

The £95 figure is a proposal from the Independent Garage Association.

The organisation has been campaigning for the Government to review MOT fees and announced in August that it had secured discussions with the Department for Transport over the issue.

Until the Government announces a formal change, the current maximum Class 4 MOT fee remains £54.85.

Would Every Garage Charge £95?

Not necessarily.

Even if the Government eventually increased the statutory maximum fee to £95, that would not automatically mean every MOT would cost £95.

The current £54.85 figure is a maximum fee, not a mandatory fixed price.

Garages can choose to charge less.

The same principle could apply if the maximum fee were increased, depending on the final rules introduced by the Government.

Competition between garages could therefore mean motorists continue to find MOT tests below the maximum permitted price.

How Big Would the Increase Be?

Moving from £54.85 to £95 would increase the maximum MOT fee by:

£40.15

That works out at approximately a: 73% increase

For motorists already dealing with insurance, fuel, servicing, repairs, vehicle tax and other motoring costs, another increase in annual vehicle expenses is unlikely to be welcome.

However, the garage industry argues that the existing MOT fee has remained unchanged for around 16 years despite rising business costs.

The debate will therefore centre around balancing affordable motoring with the cost of maintaining a sustainable and effective MOT testing network.

When Could MOT Prices Increase?

There is currently no confirmed date for an MOT price increase.

The IGA is lobbying the Government to review the fee, but any change would need to be formally decided and announced.

Until that happens, motorists should be cautious about headlines suggesting that the £95 MOT has already been confirmed.

For now:

Current maximum car MOT fee: £54.85

IGA proposed maximum: At least £95

£95 fee officially introduced: No

We will update this article if the Government announces any changes.

What Happens If Your Car Fails Its MOT?

The potential MOT price increase is only part of the cost motorists need to consider.

A failed MOT can result in repair costs and, depending on the defects found, you may not legally be able to drive the vehicle away.

MOT defects are categorised according to their seriousness.

A vehicle will fail its MOT if it receives a major or dangerous defect.

Whether you can drive the vehicle afterwards depends on the circumstances.

According to GOV.UK, you can take a vehicle away after an MOT failure if:

• its existing MOT certificate is still valid; and

• the test has not identified any dangerous defects.

Even then, the vehicle must remain roadworthy.

If a dangerous defect has been recorded, you should not drive the vehicle until the problem has been repaired. Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition can result in a fine of up to £2,500, three penalty points and potentially a driving ban.

Can You Drive a Car With an Expired MOT?

Generally, you cannot drive or park a vehicle on a public road if its MOT has expired.

There are limited exceptions, including driving to a pre-arranged MOT test or travelling to or from somewhere for repairs required for the test.

However, this does not give you permission to drive an unsafe vehicle.

Your vehicle must still meet minimum roadworthiness standards.

If the car is unsafe, badly damaged or has a dangerous MOT defect, arranging vehicle recovery or transport may be the safer option.

What If Your Car Cannot Be Driven After an MOT Failure?

This is where motorists can sometimes find themselves stuck.

You take your vehicle for an MOT expecting a relatively straightforward test, only to discover a serious problem with the brakes, suspension, tyres, steering or another safety-critical component.

If the vehicle cannot safely or legally be driven, you may need to arrange for it to be transported to:

• another garage

• a specialist repair centre

• your home

• a dealership

• a bodyshop

• another storage or repair location

Rather than calling multiple recovery companies individually, RecoBuddy allows you to post your vehicle recovery or transport requirement and receive quotes from available independent recovery and transport providers.

You can enter the vehicle details, collection location and destination, compare the quotes you receive and choose the provider that best suits your requirements.

RecoBuddy itself is a marketplace connecting customers with independent vehicle recovery and transport providers rather than carrying out the transportation directly.

How Can You Reduce the Risk of an MOT Failure?

There is no way to guarantee that a vehicle will pass its MOT, but some basic checks before the test can help identify obvious problems.

Before your MOT, consider checking:

• Tyres – check tread depth, condition and tyre pressure.

• Lights – check headlights, brake lights, indicators and registration plate lights.

• Windscreen – look for significant cracks or damage.

• Windscreen washers – make sure they contain washer fluid and work correctly.

• Wipers – check that they clear the windscreen effectively.

• Number plates – make sure they are visible, secure and readable.

• Mirrors – check that they are secure and provide sufficient visibility.

• Warning lights – investigate dashboard warning lights rather than ignoring them.

• Brakes – unusual noises or reduced braking performance should be inspected.

• Seat belts – check that they fasten and retract correctly.

Remember that an MOT is a minimum roadworthiness and environmental standards test. It is not the same as having your vehicle serviced.

A vehicle can also become unroadworthy even if it currently has a valid MOT certificate.

Should You Book Your MOT Early?

You can normally have your MOT carried out up to one month minus one day before the existing certificate expires while keeping the same renewal date.

For example, if your MOT expires on 15 September, you can have the vehicle tested from 16

August and retain the same annual renewal date.

Booking early can give you more time to deal with repairs if something unexpected is discovered during the test.

Leaving your MOT until the final day can create unnecessary pressure if the vehicle fails and requires repairs.

Could a £95 MOT Actually Happen?

It is certainly possible that the Government could decide to increase the maximum MOT fee.

The current Class 4 fee has remained unchanged since 2010, and the garage industry is now applying pressure for it to be reviewed.

However, there is a major difference between the Government agreeing that the fee should increase and accepting the IGA's proposed figure of at least £95.

The Government could:

• keep the existing fee;

• introduce a smaller increase;

• accept a figure close to the IGA proposal; or

• make wider changes to the MOT fee structure.

Until an official announcement is made, motorists should treat £95 as a proposal rather than a confirmed new MOT price.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is an MOT in the UK in 2026?

The current maximum fee for a standard Class 4 car MOT in Great Britain is £54.85. Garages are allowed to charge less than this amount.

Is the MOT increasing to £95?

Not currently. The Independent Garage Association has called on the Government to raise the maximum MOT fee to at least £95, but the change has not been confirmed.

When will the MOT price increase?

There is currently no confirmed date for an increase. The Government would need to announce any change officially.

Can garages charge less than the maximum MOT fee?

Yes. £54.85 is the maximum fee for a standard Class 4 car MOT, so garages can offer tests for less.

Can I drive my car if it fails its MOT?

Potentially, but only in certain circumstances. GOV.UK states that you can take the vehicle away if its existing MOT is still valid and the new test has not identified a dangerous defect.

The vehicle must still be roadworthy.

Can I drive without an MOT to a garage?

There are limited exemptions allowing a vehicle with an expired MOT to be driven to a pre-arranged MOT test or to or from somewhere for repairs required for the test. The vehicle must still be roadworthy.

What should I do if my car is unsafe to drive?

Do not risk driving a vehicle that is unsafe or has a dangerous defect. Arrange repairs or have the vehicle recovered or transported to an appropriate garage or destination.

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