{"id":44723,"date":"2025-06-17T16:50:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autoscommunity.com\/?p=44723"},"modified":"2025-06-17T16:51:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:51:12","slug":"the-hidden-costs-of-mot-how-to-save-on-vehicle-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/autoscommunity.com\/2025\/06\/17\/the-hidden-costs-of-mot-how-to-save-on-vehicle-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Costs of MOT: How to Save on Vehicle Repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting a vehicle through its MOT can be costly, especially when follow-up repairs are required. Some motorists may overspend due to unnecessary or premature advice issued by centres that profit from the work.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the government has introduced measures to address the issue, fraudulent or dishonest testing facilitators continue to operate.<\/p>\n

One reliable alternative is lesser-known council-operated test centres, which often provide impartial advice. Since these centres don\u2019t typically offer repairs<\/a>, they have no financial incentive to recommend unnecessary work.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Car insurance<\/a> experts at Uswitch recently investigated drivers\u2019 awareness of council-run MOT test centres. The research also revealed how many UK councils offer the service, their average fees, and what drivers who use them perceive as the main benefits.<\/p>\n

Drivers Are Unaware That Councils Offer MOT Tests<\/h5>\n

133 councils across the UK currently offer MOT tests for privately owned cars – 85 of these are in England, 17 in Scotland and 11 in Wales.<\/p>\n

Only 1 in 4 (25%) drivers know that local councils offer this service, highlighting the importance of educating motorists<\/a> on their options.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Only 1 in 10 (11%) motorists surveyed have had an MOT test through a council-run centre. Those who have used them cited benefits that reflect the centres\u2019 impartiality.<\/p>\n

Nearly half (48%) said they find council-run MOT centres more trustworthy than garages or manufacturers, while over two-fifths (41%) appreciated that they only suggest necessary repairs<\/a> and offer unbiased advice. Other top advantages noted included convenience and efficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Drivers Remain Loyal to Local Garages<\/h5>\n

After learning that some local councils offer MOTs, one in three drivers (32%) said they would consider using this option in the future.<\/p>\n

Under a third (29%) would be unlikely to use council-run MOT centres, primarily because of their loyalty to an existing garage, with over half (56%) of respondents selecting this response.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among those who were previously aware that some councils offered MOTs, but hadn\u2019t used their services, loyalty to their local garage was also the top reason.<\/p>\n

Other factors discouraging them included wanting to be able to get repairs<\/a> done at the same place as the MOT test, and lacking the motivation to look into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most Local Councils Charge Less Than the Maximum Fee<\/h5>\n

Based on current rates, local councils charge an average of \u00a3 49.36 for an MOT test (on privately owned cars) \u00a3.<\/p>\n

Prices range from \u00a337 to the maximum fee outlined by the government, \u00a354.85[2], which only 38 out of the 113 councils charge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Out of the councils that were able to provide the exact data, from January to December 2024, those that carried out the most MOTs on privately owned cars were:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Council<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Number of MOTs<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3,386<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bristol City Council<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1,843<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Eastleigh Borough Council<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1,766<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sandwell Borough Council<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1,647<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

East Riding of Yorkshire Council\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1,541<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The number of MOTs performed by different councils will vary based on various factors, including the number of local residents who are aware of their service offerings.<\/p>\n

Resource availability also impacts the number of daily\/weekly slots free and the number of council vehicles that require servicing facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Uswitch Car Insurance Expert, Leoni Moninska, Highlights Key Factors to Consider When Booking an MOT:\u00a0<\/h5>\n