Book an MOT in Northampton

Why choose the RAC for your MOT in Northampton?

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 Northampton.

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 Northampton

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

View all garages

Billing Car and Van Centre

5.0/5

Billing Car & Van Centre is an RAC Approved Garage that specialises in the repair of vehicles with fair pricing. Customer satisfaction and retention is extremely important to us. Our ethos is simple; to be open and honest with our customers. We will not commence any repair work without fully discussing it and providing a quotation. Should any complications arise during the repair process, we will keep customers fully updated at every stage. We have a drop-off facility at our sales site, or we can offer a collect and deliver service locally FREE of charge (by prior arrangement)

Units 4 And 5, 2 Pennard Close, Backmills, NN47BE

MR CLUTCH

5.0/5

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS . FREE DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS , NATIONWIDE WARRANTIES , ESTABLISHED OVER 35 YEARS

11 Goulds Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1EQ

DW Autos Rugby Ltd

5.0/5

We are a small family-run garage, and can offer repairs from changing a headlamp bulb to changing an engine, and more besides, at competitive prices with a personal touch. We're proud to take care of your MOT, servicing, routine maintenance, or even that intermittent annoying noise you keep hearing - we can cover it here quickly and without any fuss. Established in 2012, we have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all makes and models of car, light commercial, petrol or diesel. Please call for advice or a quote, and join the satisfied customers who have brought their vehicles to us over many years and continue to trust us to keep them on the road.

Somers Road, Rugby, CV227DG

MK MOT & Service Centre

4.8/5

We are a local independent garage offering our customers all forms of mechanical repairs, servicing and MOT's. Business partners Mark and Craig have over 50 years' experience working on all makes and models of vehicles, with no job being too big or too small. We are members of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) which should offer you peace of mind that we take great pride in our work as it ensures we remain up to date with all courses and techniques. We work out of a large workshop which has 4 ramps, including an MOT bay, and we have a large comfortable waiting area available for your use should you like to wait whilst we work on your car.

36 Barton Road, Eaton Ind Est, Milton Keynes, MK23LQ

AMS Autocare Limited

4.7/5

We specialise in naked Tesla wheel refurbishment

Grafton Street, On The Corner, Northampton, NN16AZ

Hi-Q Banbury

4.4/5

Welcome to HiQ Tyre & Autocare Banbury, we are independently owned and part of Goodyear's HiQ Autocentre nationwide network. We operate to the highest standards and use Original Equipment (OE) standard parts with 12 months guarantee so that your warranty is protected. We have the latest tyre fitting equipment, offering all leading brands of tyres, we also offer comprehensive diagnostics and service most makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles. We’re reliable and trustworthy, too - we are honest, we stick to our quotes, we communicate with customers and if we say it’ll be ready at 5pm tomorrow, it’ll be ready at 5pm tomorrow.

Unit 4 Swan Industrial Estate, Banbury, OX165DH

California car and commercials Ltd, Bosch Car Service

4.4/5

We are a established MOT and service centre run by two brothers with a combined experience of 15 years in the motor trade. Our new site on Garrard Way, Kettering consists of 5 service bays and a class 4, 5 & 7 MOT bay. Our aim is simple, to be a one stop shop for all your motoring needs. Wether it be your annual MOT and service or more major work our highly experienced staff are on hand to help. We have a clean, modern premises with state-of-the-art technology and equipment including the most up to date Snap-On class 4, 5 & 7 MOT bay. We run our own fleet of recovery vehicles so collection and delivery is always available. Feel free to call Tony or Mario for any of your vehicle needs

Garrard Way, Telford Way Industrial Estate, Kettering, NN168TD

IN'n'OUT Autocentres Kettering

4.4/5

At IN’n’OUT Autocentres we offer fixed prices MOTs and Servicing for any make and model of car with no hidden extras. We are proud to be a ‘Which? Trusted Trader’ so we are really a garage you can trust. We also have a 5 Star Trustpilot reviews rating. We provide OEM parts and 12 months warranty on all parts and servicing. We only use premium Castrol oils in all servicing. Our services are all completed ‘while-u-wait’ so you have never have the inconvenience of losing your car for the day. You can watch your car as it is being worked on through the viewing window or sit back and relax in our clean and comfortable customer lounges with FREE Wi-Fi and coffee and read the latest magazines. Check out our latest reviews and BOOK NOW!!

In N Out Kettering, Unit 9 Vista Park, Kettering, NN168UN

RAC Mobile Mechanic - We Come to You. Servicing on your drive or at work - Northampton

3.7/5

The RAC offers complete peace of mind for 12 million drivers. We’re best known for our breakdown service. And now, our new RAC Mobile Mechanics are here to make everyday car maintenance easy. Whether you need a full or interim service, we’ll come to you – at your home or work in Birmingham and the surrounding area's. It’s much more convenient, as you don’t need to get to a garage. And you can relax knowing you’re getting an expert service from a trusted brand. Just make sure your car’s parked off road, and all sides are accessible, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Walgrove Road, Northampton, NN74DY

Homan Tyres, Bosch Car Service

3.7/5

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.

26 High Street, 0, Kempston, MK427AJ

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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