Everything you need to know about an MOT retest

Most cars must have an MOT every year once they reach three years old. If a vehicle fails, the defects may need to be repaired before it undergoes a partial retest or another full MOT.

There are many reasons why a car might not pass its MOT (Ministry of Transport test) – from a lack of regular maintenance to serious damage to major components.

Here, we outline what an MOT retest is, why they are important, and how much they will cost.

Find out when your MOT is due with our free MOT checker. Simply enter your vehicle's registration to check its MOT expiry date and view its test history.

MOT retest

An MOT retest is a follow-up inspection for a vehicle that has failed its initial MOT test.

The MOT test is an annual examination required in the UK to ensure that vehicles are safe, roadworthy, and meet environmental standards – and the retest is the follow up after the initial failure.

If your vehicle fails the MOT, you will need to get the issues fixed and then undergo the same analysis by a qualified mechanic at a trusted garage. The rules for an MOT retest depend on how and where the repairs are carried out:

There are three versions of MOT retests in the UK – same day, partial, and full retest.

Same-day MOT retest

If the repairs are done at the same test centre, and the vehicle is retested by the end of the next working day, the retest is usually free.

It usually happens when minor faults need to be worked on before the vehicle can pass its MOT.

This is a common occurrence at garages across the UK.

Partial MOT retest

If the vehicle fails but needs more extensive work carried out on a specific component of the vehicle, then a partial retest can take place within 10 working days of the initial failure.

There may be a small charge for this retest, but often it is free of charge.

This can happen if a part needs to be delivered to the garage before work can be carried out.

Full MOT retest

For more serious failures, the vehicle will need a full MOT retest.

This needs to happen within 10 working days of the initial failure. There may be a small fee for this retest, but often it is free of charge at many garages.

If it takes longer than 10 working days to bring the car back or take the car to a different testing centre, a full MOT test will be required, and the driver will have to pay for the full MOT test again.

Remember, a new full MOT test will normally be required if the vehicle is returned more than 10 working days after the original test or is taken to a different test centre. The full MOT fee may then be charged again.

• How much does an MOT cost?
• MOT checklist and comprehensive guide
• Driving without an MOT – what’s the risk?

Are MOT retests free?

An MOT retest is free when the vehicle is fixed and retested at the same test centre within 10 days of the original failed test.

However, if you get the repairs done at a different garage but the retest is performed at the original test location, then you will pay a partial fee. This will be less than the cost of the full MOT.

If you elect to have another full test carried out at a different garage, then you will pay the full fee.

If you get the repairs done at a different garage but the retest is performed at the original test centre, you will pay a partial fee.

What happens if you fail an MOT retest?

If your vehicle fails its retest, you may be able to take it away if its existing MOT is still valid, no dangerous defects have been recorded and it remains roadworthy.

A vehicle with a dangerous defect must not be driven until it has been repaired.

Therefore, the process will need to continue, and another retest will need to be booked in – and any necessary work will need to be completed.

What happens if a car fails its MOT?

If a car fails its MOT, then the test centre that carried out the work will issue a VT30 Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate.

This explains the reasons for the failure, and what fixes need to be made before the vehicle is safe and road legal.

Unless it has passed its MOT, the car is considered unroadworthy and can't be driven on the road, except if it is being driven to a garage for repairs or to its next MOT appointment.

Can you appeal a failed MOT test?

Yes, drivers can appeal a failed MOT test* if they believe the result is incorrect.

They must fill in a complaint form and send it to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) within 14 working days of the failed test.

Drivers must keep the VT30 form from the MOT tester, which is issued after the car is deemed unroadworthy.

According to the DVSA, if the vehicle passed the MOT with corrosion issue, a complaint can be issued within three months of the test.

Also, if the vehicle passed its MOT with a different issue, the complaint form must be completed and returned within 28 days of the date of the original test.

^{*If the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency decides to reinspect a vehicle that failed, the owner must pay the full MOT test fee again. This is refunded if the appeal succeeds.}