1-04-09 VOSA announces new MOT test fees
On 6 April 2009 The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) will be increasing the maximum charge for MOT test fees.
Two new checks will also be added to the MOT test from 27 April. A check on towing attachments will be included on the test for the first time and an additional registration plate check will be introduced.
Across all classes the MOT test fee maximum will increase to allow for forecasted inflation. For example the test fee for cars will rise by 90 pence and by 55 pence for motorcycles.
The full list is as follows:
Test Class |
Description |
Maximum Fee |
Classes 1 & 2 |
Motor bicycles (with sidecar) |
£29.20 ( £37.20) |
Class 3 |
Three-wheelers (up to 450kg ULW) |
£37.20 |
Class 4 |
Cars (up to 8 passenger seats), Motor caravans, Three-wheelers (over 450kg ULW), Quads, Dual Purpose Vehicles, Taxis, Private Hire vehicles and PSV (up to 8 passenger seats), Goods vehicles (up to 3000kg DGW) and Ambulances |
£54.00 |
Class 4 |
Private Passenger Vehicles and Ambulances (9 - 12 passenger seats) |
£56.45 |
Class 5 |
Private Passenger Vehicles and Ambulances (13 - 16 passenger seats) |
£58.65 |
Class 5 |
Private Passenger Vehicles and Ambulances (more than 16 passenger seats) |
£79.45 |
Class 7 |
Goods Vehicles (over 3000kg up to 3500kg) |
£57.70 |
The towing attachment test is being introduced to help prevent accidents caused by trailers becoming detached from vehicles. This test will take the form of a visual assessment to identify:
excessive corrosion, fractures or damage;
wear and tear of a tow ball, jaw, hook or eye;
the presence, security and suitability of retaining nuts, bolts, pins and locking devices towbar condition and security;
excessive damage, corrosion, fractures or inadequate repairs
The registration plate check is being added to ensure that plates are easily identifiable both to other drivers and enforcement agencies. These tests will ensure that registration plates:
do not have a background overprinted or shadowed with text e.g. vehicle manufacturer name
do not have a non-reflective border wider than permitted or positioned too close to the characters;
have the correct background and character i.e. white on the front and yellow on the rear, both with black characters for vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1973;
on vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2001 do not display plates with a honeycomb or similar effect background
Page last updated: 29/04/2009