An MOT, although necessary, can determine whether your car is safe to drive on the road. Although you may not be aware of it at the time, your vehicle may be hiding some vehicle health issues, such as a dodgy clutch or faulty engine, which can be detrimental to your car’s health and often result in failing your MOT. With MOT failure comes costly expenses to get it repaired, not to mention labour costs and retest fees.
Costs can vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model and the extent of the repairs needed to make your car roadworthy again. Nevertheless, regular maintenance and checks can prevent most failures. So, let’s take a look at the average cost of an MOT and see what preventative measures we can take to ensure the expenses stay minimal or can be avoided altogether.
The average cost of an MOT
According to Checkatrade, the maximum fee for a car MOT test is £54.85. A small price to pay for your car’s safety, though if your vehicle fails to pass, can incur more costs to cover repairs. An MOT typically includes inspections of the braking system, suspension, steering, and exhaust emissions. If any faults are found, they can add to the total MOT price, retest fees, and hourly mechanic rate.
You may well end up paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds to get your car back on the road if numerous issues are found lurking under the bonnet of your vehicle. So, what can we do to prevent these faults from taking our car off the road and breaking the bank?
How to avoid MOT failure and cost
Before you take your car in for its annual MOT, it’s good to do some essential maintenance on your vehicle to ensure that everything is up to scratch. You may fail your MOT for simple things such as faulty bulbs, poor tyre tread or pressure, or even empty windscreen washer fluid bottles.
Firstly, ensure that every aspect of your vehicle is working correctly, so check your brakes and make sure they’re working efficiently and not pulling the car to one side. Next, check the headlights for loose or damaged parts and ensure correct colours. Then examine your tyres fit for cuts and bulges. Finally, test your windscreen wipers and top up the fluid levels.
For any severe repairs or maintenance needed on your vehicle, it’s best to take it in for a full-service check-up to ensure everything is in working order or any repairs are taken care of before your MOT. Even though car repairs can be expensive, you’ll save a lot on labour costs and MOT retests and prevent your vehicle from being taken off the road.
How can I manage the costs?
If your vehicle fails its MOT or requires some repairs/maintenance beforehand, you will most likely incur additional costs. You may be concerned about MOTs and servicing costs and expenses, but there are affordable options available for motorists.
Bumper offers a Buy Now Pay Later payment plan to help drivers split the costs of their MOT and repair bills, making it easier to manage your finances and get back on the road safely. Spread the costs over 1-9 interest-free instalments and drive away with peace of mind.
