Garages back MOT price cap rise, ‘but discount at point of sale’
13 February 2026 
Nearly two-thirds of garage owners are in favour of increasing the MOT price cap, but tests performed by workshops on the BookMyGarage platform were discounted over the past two years, according to latest data.
The comparison site for MOTs, servicing and repairs said 62%* of garage owners are in favour of increasing the MOT price cap, according to a survey of garage partners on its platform.
However, an analysis of BookMyGarage data found the average MOT price garages charged (whether undertaken with a service or standalone) was £34.75 in 2024, rising slightly to £35 in 2025, despite the government cap at £54.85 – practically £20 more.
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.
Most respondents (38%) wanted a 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.
Under review
A significant 31% thought the charge should be between £60 and £65 whilst 17% were in favour of a bigger hike of £66-£70 and 14% thought the price should be in excess of £70.
The government’s MOT price cap, in place since 2010, is 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 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 BookMyGarage said its MOT analysis paints a more complex picture as garages discount tests to upsell servicing.
Biggest discount
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.
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 £43.19 the year before although the price was still £8.65 cheaper than the cap at the higher amount.
Reminders
The data aligns with a survey undertaken at the end of last year by consumer motoring magazine Autocar, which found that on average, garages charged £45 for an MOT.
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.
BookMyGarage chief marketing officer Jessica Ruddick (pictured) said: “Despite the desire for an increase in the MOT price 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.
“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.”
*Based on 111 responses from 2,354 garages invited to take part in November 2025