MOT fee review: garages call for fair, fixed, and sustainable pricing

The upcoming Department for Transport (DfT) review of the MOT fee has sparked widespread discussion across the independent garage sector.

For many workshops, the current fee of £54.85 for cars, unchanged since 2010, no longer reflects the rising costs of energy, equipment, staffing, and training.

The reaction from garages is a mix of frustration, cautious optimism, and practical concern.

Across social media and industry forums, many have voiced support for a meaningful increase, with suggested figures ranging from £65 to £85.

A consistent theme is the desire for a fixed fee: garages want to avoid a race to the bottom caused by discounting, which undermines profitability and devalues their professional skill.

“Garages are doing highly skilled work, taking on responsibility for road safety,” one Garage Matters reader commented. “If fees are too low or inconsistent, it’s hard to pay fair wages or invest in equipment and training.”

Others echoed this, emphasising that charging full price is possible if customers understand the value of quality and trust.

Skepticism remains, however. Some contributors worry any increase may be minimal or offset by VAT, while others point out that local competition and discounting could continue to undermine higher fees.

Many argue that alongside a fee increase, the government should consider minimum and maximum pricing to ensure fairness across the sector.

Garage Matters’ very own Mike Ruff said: “Independent garages are under real pressure, and the current fee doesn’t reflect the skill, equipment, and time involved in testing vehicles.

“A fair MOT fee should be higher than it is now, enough to cover rising costs and support sustainable business, but ideally it should also be fixed so garages aren’t forced into a race to the bottom. The goal shouldn’t just be a higher fee though, it ought to be a fair system that values the work test centres do.”

Ultimately, the conversation reflects a sector that is proud, professional, and ready for change but only if reforms are meaningful and sustainable.

Garages need a system that recognises their expertise, rewards their work, and allows them to continue delivering safe, reliable MOT testing for years to come.

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