How long does an MOT take?
A standard car MOT takes around 45 to 60 minutes — but if you're waiting at the garage there's often more time involved than just the test itself.
Typical duration for a car
The test itself is a fixed set of checks carried out in a set sequence. For most standard passenger cars, it takes between 45 minutes and one hour from the moment the tester starts work on your vehicle.
What happens during those 45–60 minutes?
The DVSA lays out exactly what must be checked, and testers work through the list in a structured order. Here's a rough breakdown of where the time goes:
What can make it take longer?
Waiting time — If the garage is busy and your car can't go in straight away, add that waiting time on top. An 8am first-slot booking is usually the fastest in and out.
Advisories — If the tester finds items to note as advisories, they take extra time to document them properly in the DVSA system. A clean pass is quicker than one with several advisories.
A failure — If your car fails, the tester still needs to complete all the checks and record every failure item. Then if you want to stay for repairs, you could be there for the rest of the day.
Older or unusual vehicles — Classic cars, imports, or modified vehicles sometimes need more time due to unusual configurations or hard-to-access components.
Tip: If you need to be somewhere, book the first slot of the day and ask the garage for an estimated time when you drop off. Most are happy to call you when it's done rather than having you wait on site.
How long if my car fails?
If your car fails its MOT and you choose to have repairs done at the same garage, the overall time depends entirely on what needs fixing. Minor work like a bulb replacement might add 15 minutes. More significant repairs — a worn tyre, a brake fault, an emissions issue — could mean leaving the car and collecting it later. Always ask for an estimate before agreeing to any repair work.
When is your MOT due?
Check your expiry date for free — no account needed.