Garages & Booking

Can I choose any garage for my MOT?

Q: Can I choose any garage for my MOT?

You can choose any DVSA-authorised MOT testing station in the UK — you are not required to use a specific garage or the one that carried out your last test. However, not every garage is authorised to carry out MOT tests. You can verify a garage is authorised using the DVSA's official 'Find a MOT testing station' tool on gov.uk.

Yes — you have full freedom to choose where you get your MOT. There is no obligation to return to the same garage year after year. The one requirement is that the garage must be an authorised DVSA testing station.

Are all garages authorised to do MOTs?

No. Only garages that have applied for and been granted an Authorised Examiner (AE) designation by the DVSA can legally carry out MOT tests. A general repair garage that has not been authorised cannot issue an MOT certificate, even if it performs the same checks. The test, the certificate, and the official record on the DVSA database can only be produced by an authorised station.

You can verify any garage's authorisation using the DVSA's official station finder at check-mot.service.gov.uk.

✅

National chains — always authorised

Halfords Autocentre, Kwik Fit, ATS Euromaster, and similar chains are DVSA-authorised at all locations. Online booking through their websites includes the testing station details.

🔧

Independent garages — check first

Many independent garages are authorised, but not all. Look for the blue-and-white DVSA MOT signage or use the DVSA station finder to confirm before booking.

🚫

General repair shops — may not be authorised

A garage that does not display MOT branding and isn't listed on the DVSA finder cannot legally carry out your test. A certificate issued by an unauthorised workshop is not valid.

Can I switch garages every year?

Absolutely. There is no loyalty requirement. Each year's MOT is an independent test — the new tester has access to your vehicle's full MOT history via the DVSA database, but is not bound by any previous result. Switching garages is a straightforward way to compare prices and find a better deal.

Tip: Online comparison sites like BookMyGarage and ClickMechanic list only authorised DVSA testing stations and show live prices. Booking through these platforms typically costs less than calling or walking in directly.

Does it matter which garage I use for the retest if I fail?

Yes — if your car fails and you want a free or reduced-cost retest, you must return to the same testing station within the allowed window. Taking your car to a different authorised garage after a failure means you pay for a full new MOT. See Is an MOT retest free? for the full breakdown.

Watch out for: Garages that advertise suspiciously cheap MOTs and then pressure you into costly repair work as a condition of passing. A legitimate tester cannot fail your vehicle on items that are not part of the DVSA's prescribed test criteria. You are always entitled to take the car elsewhere for repairs and return for a retest.

Check your MOT status right now

Find out instantly if your MOT is valid — and set a free reminder so it never lapses again.

★★★