Book an MOT in Southampton

Why choose the RAC for your MOT in Southampton?

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 Southampton.

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 Southampton

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

Eco MOT Auto Centre

Eco MOT and Auto Care Located at 27-32 st marys place, Southampton, SO14 3HY Service offers: General Auto Repairs MOT Class 4 and 7 ( cars and vans) Brake Repair Clutch and transmission Tyre and 3D alignment Vehicle Diagnostic Vehicle Remapping Suspension Air Conditioning

Eco Tyres 30-32 St. Marys Place, Southampton, SO143HY

T G Services

http://tgservices.co.uk/ http://ahead-tyres.co.uk/ Car repairs and car servicing is what we do. Batteries, Brakes, Clutch, Car Engines, Car Exhausts, MOT

Joy's Keep Unit 26 Hazel Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 7GA

Solent MOT Centre ltd

Based in upper shirley (Winchester Road) in southampton, Close to the general hospital, we offer a range of services such as class 4 mot, servicing, mot repairs, suspension, clutches and same day mot and repairs.

Unit 3A North Brook Industrial Estate, Hollybrook Road, Southampton, SO166RB

New Chapel Garage Services - Hedge End

New Chapel Garage is an established local independent garage offering quality repairs and fantastic customer service. We 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. All our staff give a friendly, honest and professional service whether it be car servicing, car repair or carrying your vehicles yearly MOT which are carried out on site by our own staff. We are a DVSA/VOSA approved MOT testing station and our mechanics are always happy to offer impartial advice and guidance, and with our cutting-edge digital diagnostic tools we can pinpoint vehicle issues in moments.. 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. Simply drop off your car with us and collect it when it’s ready; or stick around and enjoy a hot or cold drink on us while you wait!

7 Mayflower Park, Botley Road, Southampton, SO302HE

Cadnam Garage Services

Whether needing an MOT, service or repairs, an ECU remap, or just another vehicle, our team of experienced technicians and support staff are happy to advise you in finding a solution to your requirements. Cadnam Garage is a member of the Good Garage Scheme, as well as an approved RAC and AA garage. We adhere to a strict code of conduct, which provides an open and honest approach to everything carried out in our workshops. While your vehicle is in our care, we will keep you informed every step of the way, and we will not undertake any additional work without your prior approval.

Southampton Road, Cadnam, SO40 2NB

HiQ Tyres & Autocare Gosport

HiQ Tyre & Autocare Gosport, We are a local business that started from the ground up. As well as MOT’s and Servicing being our strength we are also able to offer Tyres for any vehicle, any size, any brand. In fact we do pretty much anything your car could ever need so if you’re unsure just give us a call. Reg and John the owners own and operate 3 HiQ’s across Hampshire and are experts in the industry with countless years of experience amongst them and the team. We are pleased to support our Military Personnel in Gosport and offer discount on production of ID. Our car care service offer includes Oil & filter service, interim and full car service schedules alongside Manufacturer Approved Warranty vehicle servicing. We also offer exhausts, brakes, clutches, MOT testing, car repairs, air-conditioning services, wheel alignment services and much more. Our team of mechanics and technicians work to the highest standard possible and are highly qualified to work on a range of various car and van marques. We are also proud to offer our customers excellent garage services at an exceptional price. Our trained technicians are very approachable and are able to provide expert advice in the best interest of your vehicle. We also offer Payment Assist so you can split your bill over several payments, however, this excludes payment for Tyres.

104 Fareham Road, Gosport, PO130BB

Andover Car Repairs

We are located on A303 Westbound at Barton Stacey. We repair and service all makes and models . We have a comfortable waiting area where we can supply tea and coffee. We are an rac and aa approved Garage and all our technicians are trained to the highest standards. Our reception staff are main dealer trained in all aspects of the garage industry. See our reviews on google. Servicesure new dealer of the year award 2024

A303 Westbound, Barton Stacey, Winchester, SO213NF

Swallows Volvo Specialists

We are proud to supply the people of Gosport with high-quality vehicle repairs, MOT tests and services - as well as excellent customer service. Our team are motor experts and can provide all kinds of services including MOT testing, repairs and full, interim or major services. Makes and models of ALL vehicles, not just Volvo

8A Alphage Road, Gosport, PO124DU

Cawte And Elms Autocentre

Cawte and Elms Autocentre is a long established family run business who have been trading in Gosport for many years. We endeavour to work with each individual customer, to ensure we manage every step of the process enabling you to be in control to achieve complete customer satisfaction. Our managers are the single point of contact for every customer. They ensure our customers are briefed on the work required and also they understand the cost of the work being carried out and the timescales to complete. Each manager is backed up with a team of MOT Testers and Technicians who all work together with the common aim of looking after the customer.

3-7 Cambridge Road, Gosport, PO123ED

PGS Garage Services

PGS Garage provides MOT testing, car servicing and vehicle repairs for customers in Portchester and surrounding areas. Catering to all types of vehicles and specialising in all makes and models of vehicle, we provide top-quality car services at great prices. Customers of PGS Garage will get the best of both worlds with the experience of a long-established business and the top-of-the-range facilities from a brand new purpose-built facility which includes all the modern technology you would expect for a top spec garage. PGS Garage has been established for more than 40 years in Purbrook and surrounding areas but has recently relocated to brand new premises in Portchester, providing state-of-the-art equipment and an extra bay to enable even more of our customers to benefit from the services.

1A Hamilton Road, Castle Trading Estate, Portchester, PO6 4QE

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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