The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has renewed its call for the Government to increase the MOT fee cap for cars, light commercial vehicles and larger goods vehicles, warning the current level is no longer sustainable for independent garages.
The trade body has written to senior officials at the Department for Transport (DfT) and HM Treasury, arguing that the maximum MOT fee should be reviewed as a matter of urgency after remaining unchanged for 16 years.
Fee cap unchanged since 2010
The maximum MOT fee for Class 4 vehicles, which includes most passenger cars and light vans up to 3,000kg gross vehicle weight, remains capped at £54.85, having been unchanged since 2010.
The IGA said independent garages have faced significant increases in labour, rent, equipment, fuel, energy, compliance and administrative costs during that period, well above inflation alone.
Its latest intervention follows previous discussions with the DfT, which had indicated it expected to consult stakeholders on MOT fees during the latter part of 2025.
However, while the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has this week announced higher MOT fees for buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles and trailers, there has been no corresponding increase for Class 4, Class 5 and Class 7 vehicles, which cover the majority of cars, light commercial vehicles, minibuses and larger goods vehicles tested by independent garages.
The association said members are increasingly concerned that MOT testing is becoming economically unsustainable as vehicles become more complex and operating costs continue to rise.
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Garages prioritising more profitable workshop work
Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association, said: “Our members are advising us that the current situation, relating to the stagnant MOT fee cap, is leading to garages setting up their facilities to prioritise more profitable work, reducing the number of bays available for MOT testing and therefore reducing the national capacity.
“We need to ensure that independent garages are able to prioritise the availability of workshop facilities and resources for this vital service. If the MOT does not remain economically viable for garages, this would have a significant impact on consumer choice with regards to accessibility, locality and convenience of available MOT test stations.”
The IGA said MOT test stations play a critical role in road safety by checking key vehicle components including tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, lights, electrical systems and emissions.
It added that the MOT remains one of the cornerstones of the UK’s road safety framework and continues to call on ministers to increase the current fee cap, which it believes should be set significantly above the existing £54.85 maximum.