How much does an MOT and car service cost?
Quick answer: The most a garage can charge for a car MOT is £54.85, but most charge less: about £46 on its own, or £27–£38 when booked with a service. A full service usually costs £150–£400.
Work out your cost
Choose what you need. We'll show a typical price range and how it's made up.
Typical prices, job by job
| Job | Typical price | How long | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOT (car) | £35–£54.85 | 45–60 min | £54.85 is the legal maximum. Most garages charge less. |
| MOT (motorcycle) | up to £29.65 | 30–45 min | £37.80 with a sidecar. |
| Interim service | £90–£210 | 1–1.5 hrs | Every 6 months or 6,000 miles. |
| Full service | £150–£400 | 2–3 hrs | Yearly. Small cars at the lower end. |
| Major service | £250–£500+ | 3–4 hrs | Adds plugs and filters. Premium brands £450–£800. |
| Brake pads, one axle | £100–£135 | under 1 hr | |
| Pads and discs, one axle | £185–£280 | 1–3 hrs | Premium brands up to about £415. |
| Tyre, fitted (each) | £45–£250 | 20–30 min | Budget £45–£70, mid-range £75–£120, premium £120+. |
| Battery, fitted | £80–£150 | 15–45 min | Start-stop (AGM/EFB) batteries £120–£400. |
| Clutch replacement | £500–£1,000 | 4–8 hrs | Can exceed £1,500 on 4x4s. |
| Cambelt change | £300–£700 | 3–5 hrs | Up to £1,000 with water pump on some engines. |
Garage labour in London and the South East typically runs 20–30% above the Midlands, and 10–15% less in Scotland, Wales and rural areas.
How to keep the cost down
- Book your MOT with a service. Bundled MOTs cost about £27–£38.
- Use an independent garage for work outside warranty. Labour is often 40–80% cheaper than a main dealer.
- Replace the water pump when you change the cambelt, to save paying for the labour twice.
- Mid-range tyres are usually the best value for money.
- Ask for quotes that split parts and labour, so you can compare like with like.
Comparing quotes
- Get two or three written quotes that cover the same work.
- Check what's included and what's extra, including materials and clearing up.
- Ask about insurance, guarantees and any registration the work needs.
- Agree payment stages. Avoid paying a large deposit up front.
- Read recent reviews. On Seconded, every review comes from a confirmed job.
Common questions
What's the most a garage can charge for an MOT?
£54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a motorcycle. These are legal maximums set by the government.
Why is my MOT cheaper than £54.85?
Garages can charge less than the maximum, and many discount the MOT to win servicing and repair work.
What's the difference between an interim, full and major service?
An interim service is an oil change and basic checks. A full service is the yearly check of brakes, suspension and more. A major service adds parts replaced on a schedule, such as spark plugs and filters.
Will an independent garage affect my warranty?
No, as long as they use parts that meet the manufacturer's specification and follow the service schedule.
Do I need new discs when I change brake pads?
Only if the discs are worn below their minimum thickness or badly scored. Doing both together saves on labour.
How often does a cambelt need changing?
Usually every 4–6 years or 40,000–100,000 miles. Check your handbook, because a snapped belt can wreck the engine.