The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed it will review the MOT test fee later this year, following sustained pressure from the Independent Garage Association (IGA) to address growing financial strain on independent workshops.
The review, which will include consultation with key industry stakeholders, comes after months of engagement between the IGA and Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP.
The association has long argued that the static MOT fee, unchanged for over a decade, no longer reflects the rising operational costs faced by garages.
In her correspondence with the IGA, Minister Greenwood acknowledged the vital role independent garages play in delivering safety-critical MOT testing and assured the association that the DfT would maintain an open dialogue as the review progresses.
Stuart James, CEO of the IGA, welcomed the announcement, calling it a vital step toward a fairer system for the sector.
“We are pleased that the Minister has recognised the invaluable contribution of independent garages and that the Department for Transport is now actively reviewing the MOT fee structure,” he said.
“The current system places unsustainable pressure on businesses that are essential to maintaining road safety across the UK.
“This review represents a crucial opportunity to secure a fairer, more sustainable framework for MOT testing that reflects the real costs faced by garages.
“We will continue to work closely with the Minister to ensure our members’ voices are heard and that this consultation leads to meaningful change.”
The MOT test fee has been frozen at £54.85 for cars since 2010, despite significant rises in energy, equipment, training, and staffing costs.
Many independent garages have warned that this static fee structure undermines both profitability and investment in the future of the MOT network.
The IGA has submitted detailed evidence to the DfT outlining how the fee freeze has affected small and medium-sized workshops.
The association will remain fully engaged throughout the consultation process, advocating for a fair and sustainable model that ensures the long-term viability of MOT testing across the UK.
Why it Matters
For many garages, MOT testing is a cornerstone of their business model, and a frozen fee means margins are becoming increasingly tight.
A fair review of the fee could help ensure that independent garages can continue delivering the high safety standards that the UK’s motorists rely on.
Independent garages have been calling for this change for years. Now the conversation is finally happening. How would a fairer MOT fee impact your workshop? Join the discussion and help us reflect the real voices of the UK’s independent aftermarket by sharing your comments below.
2 comments
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.
If the MOT goes up then all the repairs are video and sent to the customer to make sure it’s fair