Book an MOT in Brighton

Why choose the RAC for your MOT in Brighton?

At the RAC, we’ve got over 125 years’ experience in helping UK drivers. We offer MOTs from RAC Approved Garages to make sure you’re getting an honest, reliable inspection at a fair price. Our trusted mechanics will make sure your vehicle is operating safely and effectively. You’ll get results you can rely on, at a price you can afford.

We also offer a full and interim car service in Brighton.

Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic underneath a car

MOT

An MOT test checks if your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. Cars over 3 years old must pass an MOT test every year.

Lights and signalling

Check lights, indicators, and reflectors.

Brakes and tyres

Test brakes and examine tyre condition.

Steering and suspension

Inspect for wear and proper operation.

Exhaust and emissions

Measure emissions and check the exhaust system.

Visibility

Check mirrors, windscreen, wipers, and washers.

RAC Mobile Mechanic under the wheel arch of a white car

Full service

Get your car MOT-ready. Book a service with an RAC Mobile Mechanic. We’ll make sure your car’s safe and working correctly. Depending on your vehicle, it can take up to an hour and a half, but not to worry – we come to you. We recommend getting serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Road test

Before and after the service, we’ll run a general road test to detect if anything feels or sounds unusual and to make sure there aren’t any new problems.

Under the bonnet

- Battery and charging system check – Cooling system check – Engine oil and filter change – Fuel filter check – Air filter replacement – Power steering fluid top-up

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers – Wiper fluid top up

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

Full diagnostic check

We’ll plug into your onboard engine management systems using our specialist diagnostic computer. We’ll then run a full engine management system check, looking for electrical issues and any problems flagged up by the electric control units on the engine, the power steering, transmission, sensors and more.

And it’s not just MOTs that we do in Brighton

Repairs
Whatever you need, we’ve got a repairs service you can rely on. Looking to get your brake pads and discs fixed at home? RAC Mobile Mechanics come to you. Need more in-depth work done at a garage? Choose an RAC Approved Garage to get quality work at honest prices.

Car Service
MOT coming up? Not to worry. Get ready with a full service from RAC Mobile Mechanics. We come to you at work or home, so you can relax as we service your car in your driveway. We recommend getting serviced once a year, or every 12,000 miles.

Nearby RAC Approved Garages

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PJE Automotive Ltd

5.0/5

Here at PJE Automotive our quality of engineering expertise and customer service is “second to none”. To tell the truth, we are proud of the high standards that we achieve at PJE Automotive. In other words, we take pride in knowing our customers have confidence in our garage. When it comes to your prestige car, we know it needs some love and care and because of this, our quality never fails. We are members of the Bosch Car Service Network which is a national network of independent garages. Our objective is to provide you with a friendly and professional service for all your motoring needs at a fair and affordable price, using Bosch and Original Equipment quality parts. Our garages are fully equipped with modern, innovative diagnostic systems for quick and accurate trouble-shooting. We are audited by, and accredited to the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) to guarantee that we maintain the high standards set by Bosch. You can rely on us for fast, expert and affordable vehicle servicing and repair work. For everything your car needs.

Unit B8 - B11 Hollingbury Trading Estate, Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN18AF

WHEELBASE

5.0/5

Wheelbase are an established local independent garage and are proud to be members of Autofirst Network – a nationwide network of independent garages operating to the Network’s 6 core values of Capability, Consistency, Care, Clarity, Cost Effectiveness and Customer Focus. For your added peace of mind we are members of the Motor Ombudsman service which is approved by The Trading Standards Institute. In short, we are a local garage you can trust offering you the support and service guarantees of a national network, giving you complete peace of mind. We cover Basingstoke and surrounding areas and offer courtesy cars as well as a free collection and delivery service.

24B Victoria Way, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NF

Bayley's vehicle locksmiths ltd

4.8/5

Bayleys Vehicle Locksmiths are an experienced, reliable and skilled local business based in Hove, East Sussex. We cover the whole of Sussex, Surrey and Kent and offer a 24 hour emergency response. VEHICLE LOCKSMITHS – VEHICLE REPAIR – MOT AND SERVICING WE OFFER COMPLETE KEY CUTTING AND CODING FOR MOST VEHICLES, INCLUDING HGVS & LGVS. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR HGV KEY OR NEED A SPARE ONE? WE COVER THE WHOLE OF SUSSEX, SURREY, AND KENT AND OFFER A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE. WE PROVIDE A FULL CODING SERVICE– ECU CODING – BSI UNITS AND CIM UNITS. ALL DONE AT OUR WORKSHOP OR WE CAN COME TO YOU. We offer complete Key cutting and coding for most vehicles, including HGVs & LGVs. Our team of experts can get your car fixed up in no time, so you can get back to your busy schedule. We also offer MOT and servicing services, so if your vehicle is due for its annual check-up, give us a call! Our expert technicians are only a phone call away when you need them!

Unit 1 D, Cambridge Grove, Hove, BN33ED

CENTRAL AUTO REPAIRS LTD

4.5/5

Central Auto Repair Services is a place where we repair cars with the utmost care and attention. While you can go to several other garages for the same work, we give you plenty of reasons for why should you rather visit us. Since its establishment, Central Auto Repair Services has never stopped evolving and upgrading its facilities and services. We want to make sure that we take care of your vehicles in the best possible way, as it is something that you treasure so much. Over the years, word of mouth has been our biggest advertisement method. We have made sure that we provide our customers with nothing less than satisfaction, while they let others know about our standards as well. From a small garage run by a family to being one of the best garages in the city, Central Auto Repair Services has a story of its own. While the first technicians were none other than the family members, we now take pride in our extended family of experts. Over time, we have trained our technicians extensively to make sure that they deliver nothing less than quality services. We also make sure to help them gain confidence and fluency with their work, which is helpful when someone asks for advice related to their cars. They are now some of the best technicians in the city which is all thanks to their years of hard work and dedication. While our experts have contributed so much time in making themselves better and more efficient, we considered it our duty to help them as well. We make sure that the latest pieces of equipment are available at Central Auto Repair Services. This helps them enhance their work quality even more while being able to satisfy our customers with more efficiency. Our customers have never had to complain about an issue that wasn’t dealt with properly, and neither about some issue which could be the result of our carelessness. We know that your time is precious, and so are you for us. We offer a wide range of best in class services for your car. We can efficiently deal with all the parts of your car like brakes, clutches, cambelts, wheel balancing and alignment, diagnostics, etc. We make sure that all of these services are dealt with the greatest care and no scope of error is left. As part of our efficient servicing system, all the cars undergo a complete check-up to ensure that the work done is proper and effective. Central Auto Repair Services are not only known for their diagnostic services, but also for providing our customers with quality products. In case you are looking for a new set of tyres for your car, you can get some of the best ones from us. We have a wide range of latest tyres from top manufacturers like Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Michelin, and Yokohama. We have a collection of all the types of tyres that they manufacture. From budget tyres to performance tyres, Central Auto Repair Services is a hub for all types of tyres. We work for your satisfaction and to gain your trust through our work. We promise to deliver nothing but top-notch quality services to our customers and never let them be in trouble due to our ignorance. Being a family-led business, we know what safety of your loved ones means and we make sure to never compromise it. Visit us at Central Auto Repair Services and you’ll never have to give it a second thought to visit us again. We believe that the only hard work that you should do is pay the bills, the rest is our stuff to take care of, and we do that damn well.

Central Auto Repair Services, Bridge Road Garage, Worthing, BN147BU

S & B Autos Limited

4.2/5

S & B Auto was established in March 2011, Whether your vehicle needs routine service or emergency repair, you can trust our team of experts. We operate a certified automotive repair facility with old-fashioned values and competitive prices. Our facility is located in Polegate, East Sussex. It is very clean, highly efficient and equipped with the latest technology in order to service and repair luxury and standard cars or trucks; import or domestic.

Unit 10 Chaucer Industrial Estate, Dittons Road, Polegate, BN266JF

A J Robertson LTD

3.8/5

A J Robertson LTD

1-8 Albert Mews, Hove, BN32PP

Ron Young Motors Ltd

3.8/5

Established in 1981, Ron Young Motors Ltd is a long running independent garage located in Peacehaven. Comprised of a tight-knit group of 6 passionate mechanics, with 130 years’ worth of experience racked up, we are ready to tackle any issue you bring to us. We offer a flexible service, with warranties offered on labour and parts. In addition to this we can provide collection and delivery for your vehicle (up to 3 miles), or a courtesy car if that is necessary. If you have an issue with your vehicle, please don't hesitate to give us a call, we're always happy to help.

Units E4 And E5 Hoyle Rd, Peacehaven, BN108LW

M-Tech Garage Services.

3.4/5

M-Tech Garage Services Ltd is an independent garage with over 25 years of industry experience. We're an RAC approved garage with a highly qualified and skilled team to take care of all your vehicle issues. Whether you need someone to repair your car's engine or carry out MOTs, we're your idea choice. Complete attention will be given to each and every detail to ensure that your car gets the best possible care.

Unit 3 Silverdale, Meadow Road, Worthing, BN112RZ

Thwaites Mot & Service Centre Ltd

3.1/5

Thwaites Mot & Service Centre Ltd is a family-run independent garage, situated in a new purpose built workshop in Portslade. Now offering state of the art technology to service, fault-find and maintain your New Mini. Thwaites Mot & Service Centre have been servicing the Motor Industry for 15 over years, just outside Brighton City Centre, we are also members of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (Independent Garage Association), subscribing to their quality control programme & abiding by their codes of practice. We service, repair & carry out M.O.T Testing on motorcycles and motor vehicles, which can be arranged either by telephone appointment or can be booked online. Courtesy cars are available for local use when available, our retail range includes tyres, batteries, exhaust systems, brakes and a full range of parts for a wide range of vehicles, with parts deliveries made to our workshops several times a day.

Unit 1 William Street Trading Estate, William Street, Portslade, BN41 1PZ

Newhaven Auto Centre Ltd

3.0/5

If you’re looking for a trustworthy Automobile Repair Shop, look no further than Newhaven Auto Centre. We’ve been servicing the Newhaven area since 2015 and pride ourselves on our transparency, professionalism and attention to detail. Newhaven Auto Centre treats each client with attentiveness and care, providing comprehensive service for you and your car. We save you valuable time and money by running a thorough examination to locate the source of the problem. It's our responsibility to update and advise you on the process beforehand and to make sure that the work we do meets your standards and needs

Unit 3, Robinson Road, Newhaven, BN99BL

MOT FAQs

How early can I book an MOT?

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is shown on your most recent MOT pass certificate. You can book an MOT near you up to one month (minus a day) before the due date and still keep the same renewal date.

For example: if your MOT runs out on 16 September, the earliest you can MOT your car and keep the same renewal date next year is 17 August. You can book an MOT earlier than this. But if you do, the renewal date will change to one year (minus a day) from the date your vehicle passed this MOT.

To find out when your MOT is and how early you can book it, use the GOV.UK tool.

When do I need to book an MOT?

A car needs an MOT every year once it’s three years old (four years in Northern Ireland). Then it needs to be retested every year on the anniversary of its last MOT. Cars under three years old don’t need an MOT.

Once you’ve passed, you’ll get an MOT test certificate showing the date of the test and the expiry date. You can get your car retested up to a month (minus a day) before it expires and keep the original renewal date.

If your MOT is due, get a quote from an RAC Approved Garage near you and book your MOT online today.

What happens if I fail my MOT?

If your car fails its MOT:

You’ll get a Refusal of MOT Certificate (VT30). You can only drive away if your current MOT certificate is still valid and no ‘dangerous’ faults were listed in the MOT. You will need to have your car repaired and retested.

Your Refusal of MOT Certificate will explain why your car failed its MOT test and explain what needs to be fixed for it to pass. Ask your local garage whether you need a full or partial MOT retest, as how much you pay will depend on the state of your vehicle.

If you get your car tested, repaired and retested at the same test centre within 10 working days, you usually won’t have to pay an MOT retest fee. Sometimes there will be a partial retest fee to pay. Just ask your garage for more information.

If you drive a car that’s failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ fault, you can be fined up to £2,500. You can also be banned from driving and get three points on your licence.

To avoid failing your MOT test, maintain the condition of your car in between MOTs by booking a car service.

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