Data from BookMyGarage has shown that while most workshops favour the implementation of an increased MOT cost cap, many are still offering discounts on the annual test.
A study by the platform shows that 62% of workshops favour increasing the MOT price cap from the current £54.85 rate first established in 2010. However, analysis of BookMyGarage data found the average MOT price garages charged, whether undertaken with a service or standalone, was £34.75 in 2024. This rose slightly to £35 in 2025.
In its survey of partner garages to obtain insights into the challenges facing the sector undertaken at the end of last year, BookMyGarage found the majority of garage owners felt an increase of the MOT cost was necessary given their own rising costs.
Support for MOT cost cap
In total, 38% of respondents wanted an MOT cost cap price rise to between £55-£59 in line with the government’s expected 10% increase, which would see the cost upped to around £59.85. A significant 31% thought the charge should be between £60 and £65, whilst 17% were in favour of a bigger hike to between £66 and £70, and 14% thought the price should be in excess of £70.
The government’s MOT cost cap is currently under review following pressure from the sector due to rising operational costs, increased complexity of vehicle technology and corresponding technician training and wage costs.
The Independent Garage Association’s (IGA) successful petition to the Department of Transport led to the review which has yet to conclude. The IGA argued that financial pressures could make it commercially unviable to deliver MOT services which could lead to delays and unroadworthy vehicles on the road.
But the BookMyGarage MOT analysis paints a more complex picture as garages discount MOTs to upsell servicing.
Discounts with servicing
Motorists who combined a major service and an MOT enjoyed the biggest test discount with the average charge in 2024 at £28.11, whilst those booking in 2025 paid even less, an average of £26.92, more than half of the current MOT cost cap price. When combined with a full service, MOTs were charged at an average of £31.23 in 2024, and again the price was reduced by 8% last year to £28.87.
The average price of MOTs increased when taken with an interim service from £36.48 in 2024 to £38 in 2025.
The average cost of a standalone MOT went up in 2025 to £46.20 from a figure of £43.19 the year before. This means the price was still £8.65 cheaper than the current MOT cost cap at the higher amount.
The data aligns with a survey undertaken at the end of last year by consumer motoring magazine Autocar, whichfound that on average, garages charged £45 for an MOT.
Communication key
With as many as nine out of 10 of the total appointments made on the BookMyGarage platform for a combination of service and MOT work, the majority of tests are offered at a discount. Meanwhile, MOT reminders were the biggest communication activity undertaken by 88% of garage survey respondents followed by 81% who also distributed service reminders.
“Despite the desire for an increase in the MOT cost cap, it is apparent that discounted tests are the norm as garages vie to attract customers in a bid to secure more lucrative servicing work,” commented BookMyGarage chief marketing officer Jessica Ruddick.
“Even standalone MOTs are charged, on average on our platform, under the current price cap so quite what will happen should the government increase the charge remains to be seen. We could see the average discounted price increase in line with a higher cap or even fiercer discounting strategies to attract customers.”
