What is an MOT Retest?
An MOT retest refers to a secondary inspection of your vehicle to confirm that any issues identified during a failed initial MOT test have been rectified. If your car fails its annual MOT test, it cannot legally be driven on public roads unless it is to attend a pre-booked MOT retest appointment. This process ensures roadworthiness and safety standards are met.
- A retest confirms repairs after an MOT failure.
- You can only drive to a booked retest after failing.
- Retests are often free if done within a timeframe.
- Different rules apply based on where the retest is done.
- Focus is on the original items that failed.
The primary goal of the MOT test is to ensure vehicles are safe to operate. When a vehicle fails, the examiner will provide a report detailing the specific reasons for the failure, categorising them as either 'dangerous' or 'major' faults. These are the points that must be addressed before the vehicle can be considered roadworthy again.
Understanding the MOT test guidelines is vital for any vehicle owner. The test covers various critical components, including brakes, lights, steering, suspension, tyres, and emissions. Any deficiency in these areas that poses a risk to road users or the environment will result in a failure. The detailed report you receive is your roadmap for getting your vehicle ready for its subsequent inspection.
When is a Retest Necessary?
A retest becomes necessary immediately following a failed MOT inspection. You'll receive a VT30 form, which is the official record of your vehicle's MOT test. This form will clearly list the reasons for the failure. If your vehicle has any 'dangerous' faults, it should not be driven until those issues are resolved and a successful retest has been completed. Minor issues, labelled 'advisory', don't cause an immediate failure but should be addressed to prevent future problems.
The MOT Retest Process: Your Options
Once your vehicle has failed its MOT, you have a few options for getting it retested. The most common scenario involves leaving the vehicle at the original test centre for repair and retest, especially if the repairs can be completed within one working day. In this case, the retest is typically free of charge, provided the vehicle remains at the same test centre.
If you choose to have repairs done elsewhere or take the vehicle away after the failure, the rules for a retest change. You have up to 10 working days from the date of the initial test to get a partial retest. During this partial retest, the examiner will only check the items that originally failed. If you miss this 10-day window, or if the original test centre is not the one performing the retest and the car has been taken away, you will likely need to book a full, standard MOT test at the standard price.
Where Can You Get an MOT Retest?
You can get an MOT retest at several locations. The most convenient and often cheapest option is to have the retest performed at the same garage where the initial test took place. If the garage completes the necessary repairs and the vehicle is retested on the same day, or within one working day of the failure, the retest is usually free. This is because they are checking if the faults they identified have been corrected.
Alternatively, you can take your vehicle to a different MOT test centre for its retest, but this usually incurs a fee. The fee for a retest is often lower than a full MOT test price. However, the specific cost for an MOT retest varies between test centres, and it's advisable to call ahead and confirm their charges and whether they can perform a partial retest. A partial retest typically involves checking only the failed components and any items that were previously found to be satisfactory but might have been affected by the repairs.
Always confirm with the test centre whether they will conduct a partial retest or a full MOT if you bring the vehicle in after taking it elsewhere for repairs.
Cost and Timeframes for Retests
The cost associated with an MOT retest can vary significantly. If your car fails its MOT and you leave it at the same test centre for repairs, a retest is often free of charge, provided the repairs are completed and the retest is carried out within one working day. This is a major incentive to use the same garage for both the failure and the subsequent repair and inspection.
However, if you collect your vehicle and bring it back within 10 working days for a partial retest, the fee is usually reduced. This partial retest focuses only on the failed items, making it quicker and cheaper than a full inspection. The maximum fee for a partial retest on a car is half the price of a full MOT. After 10 working days, or if you take the vehicle to a different test centre for the retest, you will generally have to pay for a full MOT test again. It's always best to check the specific pricing structure with your chosen test centre before proceeding.
What Happens If Your Car Fails the Retest?
If your vehicle fails the MOT retest, it means the identified faults have either not been adequately repaired or new issues have arisen. In this situation, the vehicle is still not legally permitted to be driven on public roads, with the exception of driving to a pre-booked appointment for a further retest or to a garage for repairs. You will need to return to the garage to carry out further repairs and then book another retest.
The examiner will again provide a detailed report outlining the reasons for the failure. You must ensure all the points listed are addressed to a satisfactory standard. Unlike the first retest within 10 days, any subsequent retests after this period, or if you go to a different centre, will likely incur the full MOT test price again. It's a cycle that requires diligent attention to the repair work to avoid repeated failures and costs.
It is your responsibility as the owner to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy, and an MOT failure signifies it is not until corrected.
The critical takeaway is that if a vehicle fails its MOT, it must be repaired. The MOT test guidelines are strict about safety. If your vehicle has a 'dangerous' fault, driving it even to a retest appointment is illegal and unsafe. In such cases, you might need to arrange for it to be towed to the test centre or repair shop.
Understanding MOT Failure and Advisories
It's important to distinguish between an MOT failure and an advisory notice. An MOT failure means specific items on your vehicle do not meet the minimum legal safety and environmental standards required. These must be rectified for the vehicle to pass. The MOT failure list is extensive, covering hundreds of potential issues, but they all boil down to safety or emissions.
An MOT advisory, on the other hand, is a note about something that is currently satisfactory but will need attention in the near future. For example, brake pads that are nearing the legal minimum wear limit but are still within it might be noted as an advisory. While these don't cause an immediate failure, ignoring them can lead to a fail on a future MOT test or, more importantly, compromised safety. Many owners use the advisory list to plan upcoming maintenance and repairs.
Specifics for Electric Car MOTs
The MOT test for electric cars shares many similarities with internal combustion engine vehicles, focusing on safety aspects like brakes, lights, steering, and tyres. However, there are specific checks related to electric vehicles. These include the condition of the high-voltage battery, charging cables, and electric motor. While electric cars are generally MOT exempt for their first three years, after that, they must undergo the same annual inspection. The requirements for an electric car MOT retest would follow the same principles: identify faults, repair them, and retest.
The MOT test price remains capped, regardless of fuel type. If your electric vehicle fails its MOT, the retest process and associated costs will mirror those for petrol or diesel cars, depending on where and when the retest is conducted. The focus remains on ensuring the vehicle, in its entirety, is safe and compliant.
Knowing the difference between a fail and an advisory is key to managing your vehicle's upkeep and avoiding unexpected MOT retest requirements.
Regular maintenance can prevent many common MOT failures. Paying attention to advisory notes helps in proactive servicing. For instance, if tyres are flagged as worn, replacing them before they reach the legal limit will prevent a failure and ensure your car remains safe on the road. The MOT test guidelines are designed to catch issues before they become dangerous or environmentally damaging.