UK MOT Retest Rules: When the Retest Is Free, Partial or Full Price
Failed at an MOT near me and need a retest? Learn when it is free, when it costs up to half the fee and when you pay in full.
An MOT retest is free if you leave the car at the test centre for repair and it is retested within 10 working days, or if you bring it back by the end of the next working day for certain items such as lights or wipers. If you take the car away and return within 10 working days, the partial retest costs up to half the maximum fee, and after 10 working days you pay for a full MOT. When you choose an MOT near me, these rules are worth checking before you book. Knowing them can save you money and a second trip.
This guide sets out each retest rule in plain English, explains what counts as a fail and shows how to keep the cost of a retest as low as possible.
MOT retest rules at a glance
The cost of a retest depends on two things: where the repairs are done and how quickly the car goes back to the same test centre.
| Situation | Type of retest | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Car left at the test centre for repair, retested within 10 working days | Partial retest | Free |
| Car taken away and brought back by the end of the next working day, for certain items | Partial retest | Free |
| Car taken away and brought back within 10 working days | Partial retest | Up to half the maximum fee |
| Car brought back after 10 working days | Full MOT | The full fee, up to £54.85 for a car |
Which items qualify for a free next-day retest?
The free next-working-day retest only covers certain items. Common examples include lights, wipers, mirrors, doors and number plates. If your car failed on something else, such as brakes or suspension, this rule will not apply. Always ask the test centre whether your fail items are on the list before you drive away.
What a partial retest covers
A partial retest checks the items that failed, rather than repeating the whole MOT. That is why it is quicker and, in many cases, free.
What counts as a fail
MOT results are sorted into dangerous, major and minor defects, plus advisories. Only dangerous and major defects cause a fail.
- Dangerous: the car fails and should not be driven until it is repaired.
- Major: the car fails and must be repaired before it can pass.
- Minor: the car can pass, but the problem should be fixed soon.
- Advisories: items to keep an eye on. They do not cause a fail.
Our guides to MOT defect categories and common MOT failure reasons go into more detail.
Remember that driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The exceptions are driving to a pre-booked MOT, or to and from a garage for repairs needed to pass.
Choosing an MOT near me with repairs on site
The simplest way to keep a retest free is to leave the car where it was tested. If the test centre can carry out the repairs and retest within 10 working days, you avoid both the retest fee and a second journey.
When comparing an MOT test centre near you, ask:
- Can you repair the car on site if it fails?
- Will you show me the fail items and give me a fixed price before any work?
- How quickly can you retest after the repairs?
With Hon Car Service, the MOT is carried out at an approved MOT test centre, never at your home or office. Booked with a service, it is discounted and includes free collection and return. If repairs are needed, you see live photo updates and approve any extra work and its price before it starts. Repairs come with a 12-month parts and labour warranty.
Book your MOT with a service at a discounted price, carried out at an approved MOT test centre with free collection and return.
How to avoid a retest altogether
The cheapest retest is the one you never need. A few minutes of checks before the test can stop the car failing on simple items:
- Check every bulb, including brake lights, indicators and the number plate light.
- Make sure the wipers clear the screen and the washer bottle is topped up.
- Check the tyres. The legal minimum tread is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the whole circumference. See our guide to MOT tyre rules.
- Look for warning lights on the dashboard before the test.
- Make sure the number plates are clean and readable.
Our full MOT preparation guide covers more checks you can do at home.
Frequently asked questions
Is an MOT retest free?
It can be. A partial retest is free if the car stays at the test centre for repair and is retested within 10 working days, or if you bring it back by the end of the next working day for certain items.
How long do I have to get a retest?
You have 10 working days for a partial retest. After that, the car needs a full MOT at the full fee.
Can I drive my car after it fails?
Only if your old MOT certificate is still valid and no dangerous defects were found. Otherwise, you can only drive it to a pre-booked MOT, or to and from a garage for repairs needed to pass.
Does it matter which MOT near me I go back to?
Yes. The free and partial retest rules apply when the car goes back to the same test centre that carried out the original test.
Enter your registration and postcode for a fixed price, with parts and labour included.