How Much Does an MOT Test & Service Cost

MOT tests and vehicle services are often considered to be the bane of drivers’ lives – but when you have your vehicle regularly serviced, and have any problems fixed in good time, you rarely need to worry. MOTs and regular servicing are crucial for ensuring your vehicle's safety, reliability, and performance by detecting potential issues early, and therefore keeping it roadworthy and efficient.

No matter how often you go through the appropriate vehicle maintenance, though, you may still find yourself asking, “How much is an MOT & service?” and “What is actually being covered during my MOT & service?”.

There is no one size fits all answer to this question due to the varying number of factors at play, however, there are always guidelines to help give a general idea and to give an understanding of the processes, costs and importance of these vital vehicle maintenance procedures.

Read our handy guide to explore more.

What’s the difference between an MOT & Service?

Think of an MOT and regular annual servicing as a health check-up for your vehicle. Both are necessary maintenance services to ensure the safety of your vehicle, and while an MOT is a legal requirement, and a service is not, both work hand-in-hand to keep you safe, save you money on potential long term faults, and make sure that your car stays in great shape for years to come. Now, let's explore the difference between the two.

An MOT ensures that your car meets the legal safety standards, helping to identify critical issues from faulty brakes to worn tyres that could pose a danger to you, your passengers, or other road users. On the other hand, regular servicing focuses on maintaining the vehicle’s overall performance, helping to prevent breakdowns and prolong the vehicle’s lifespan. Together, they ensure safety, and enhance your car's longevity.

During an MOT, safety-critical components are inspected, such as headlights, brakes, mirrors, airbags, and tyres. These are the parts that, if they fail, can lead to serious accidents, and even result in you not being able to use the vehicle until appropriate fixes are made. For instance, driving at night with faulty headlights could leave you stranded in a dangerous situation and therefore need to be fixed. Similarly to brake and tyre faults.

A service covers different aspects of the car, such as corroded coil springs, the condition of exhaust systems, and engine bay belts. While these might not necessarily cause an MOT failure, they impact the car’s long-term reliability and safety. For example, if your engine develops a problem, the car will likely stop running – an inconvenience, but not an immediate safety hazard. However, if your brakes fail, which is picked up during an MOT, the outcome could be much worse.

So, you may think that avoiding mechanical servicing is fine because it’s not going to result in a failed MOT test. Whilst you’d be correct, for example, that a failing head gasket won’t fail an MOT, if enough oil leaks out and you end up driving with a dry engine, then you’re likely to need to replace your engine before long. In the end, this is likely to make your wallet very unhappy, and potentially impact the safety of your vehicle causing a failure on an MOT later down the line.

The costs of an MOT & what is involved

At Kwik Fit, we offer comprehensive MOT testing services for vehicles across the UK, likely at your local Kwik Fit centre. The cost of an MOT is capped at £54.85 for cars and caravans, and is essential ensuring that a vehicle meets legal safety and environmental standards. As we have already touched on, this test involves a thorough check of key vehicle components, whereby any defects that show up are categorised as minor, major, or dangerous - major and dangerous issues require immediate repair to pass the MOT. You can also check out our handy MOT checker tool to find out when your next MOT is.

The costs of a service & what is involved

At Kwik Fit, vehicle servicing costs vary based on the type of service and engine size. A Full Service, which is the most comprehensive package, starts at £122.95 for vehicles with engines under 1400cc. The cost increases for larger vehicles due to additional components and higher fluid requirements like engine oil and coolant. As a general rule of thumb it is recommended that your car receives a full service every 12,000 miles or every 12 months - whichever comes sooner. There are also several levels of servicing.

• Interim Service - Every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is a shorter, essential service designed to keep your vehicle in good running condition between full services, focusing on vital components like the oil, filters, and brakes.
• Full Service - Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. A comprehensive annual check that includes a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s key systems, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and longevity.
• Manufacturer Service - As per manufacturer service schedule A tailored service that follows the specific maintenance schedule set by your vehicle's manufacturer, ensuring compliance with warranty requirements and peak performance.

A vehicle service helps to maintain vehicle efficiency, prolongs engine life, and identifies potential issues early to avoid costly repairs. It also ensures that your car remains safe and reliable throughout the year.

The cost of neglecting your vehicle

Keeping your car in good shape doesn't just save you headaches – it can also save you money in the long run. While the cost of an MOT test isn’t astronomical, the cost of a failed MOT test can be if you’ve neglected your vehicle maintenance for long enough. Things such as failed gaskets, suspension problems, and oil level problems are all things that can be avoided with attention to your vehicle’s condition.

Regularly checking things like your tyre pressure, tyre condition, oil levels, and even your warning lights are great steps in keeping on top of any problems that may start small, but compound into larger, more costly issues.

A better option is to prioritise regular servicing for your vehicle to ensure it stays in optimal condition, preventing costly repairs and enhancing its longevity. We’ve made this easier with the Kwik Fit Club where you can wrap up much of your servicing and tyre needs into an affordable, easy-to-manage subscription.

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Save time and money by booking your MOT test and Service together. We offer combined MOT testing and Servicing at over 500 centres at a lower rate than booking them individually. Combining your MOT and service is a convenient way to not only save money, but also time and effort. This service allows you to complete them in a single appointment and avoid the hassle of visiting separate locations. Plus, you can save by booking online, with prices for an Interim Service and MOT starting at £156.95.

Invest in regular vehicle maintenance and servicing at Kwik Fit

As we have discussed throughout, regular vehicle maintenance and servicing are vital when it comes to vehicle and passenger safety. At Kwik Fit, we understand that time and money are important factors, that's why we provide services that suit everyone's needs. Whether it's an annual MOT, tailored service or a combined package, our expert technicians are ready to help you maintain your car’s health.

Don’t wait until your vehicle's issue turns into a costly repair, make sure you invest in regular maintenance to avoid costly fixes and stress in the long term. Keep your vehicle on the road, and book in your MOT, service, or combined MOT & service today at your local Kwik Fit centre, or simply learn more in our latest blogs. You can also learn more about our Kwik Fit club, helping you to save on long term costs.