An MOT is a service/test which every car is legally required to have carried out every 12 months. It ensures that your car is functioning, safe and of course legal to drive.

The maximum MOT test price that a garage can charge is set by the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Currently, the maximum cost is set at £54.85 for cars and caravans.

When is my car’s MOT due?

If you have bought a used car recently, an MOT certificate from the previous owner will be included in the documents you receive when you buy the car, this will inform you of the next due date. If you can’t find your certificate, the website www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk will help you find out when your next test is due. If your car is new, it will be required after three years.

What does a MOT check?

It includes an inspection of the following: Screenwash Wiper blades Beam patterns Exhaust and engine mounts Brake pad levels Suppression joints and brushes Lights Tread depth Suspension levels Corrosion of the suspension mounts Engine exhaust emissions CO2 and CO3 emissions and hydrocarbon emissions

How can I check my MOT history?

You can check this at https://mot-history.net/. This new government service allows you to check the history of any car from just putting in the vehicle make and registration number.

The most common reasons why cars fail their MOT are: worn seatbelts windscreen chips incorrect beam pattern s insufficient tyre tread depth faulty registration plate lamps damaged wiper blades

What should I do if my car fails its MOT?

You’ll be issued with a VT30 Certificate stating why the car failed. There is no time limit before a retest can be booked, and the garage will normally offer to carry out the required repairs. Therefore, you should undertake any necessary repairs pointed out by the garage to ensure a pass certificate.

How often should I get a MOT?

Your car should go in for its MOT annually, unless of course it was bought and registered as brand new. If this is the case it is only required after three years of its registration, but after that point it should be taken in yearly like other cars.

Compare MOT quotes from specialist garages in Edinburgh

Trusted local garages are only a couple of clicks away

76: Number of MOT jobs this month in Edinburgh.
£40.84: Average quote for an MOT this month in Edinburgh.
£4: Average driver saving for an MOT in Edinburgh.

26 garages near you for an MOT in Edinburgh

Kris's Garage & tyres

Edinburgh

15 jobs completed

-2 reviews

Very professional and helpful.

markMercedes A-Class

Sat 15 March

-2 reviews

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Fairdeal Autos

Edinburgh

259 jobs completed

3.9

-10 reviews

Welcome to Fairdeal Autos, we are the largest independent garage in West Lothian. We can provide you with the most honest and professional car servicing and MOT that the

speedy service and excellent explanation from the mechanic who carried out the work

MichaelNissan Qashqai

Thu 06 March

3.9

-10 reviews

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JCS VEHICLE SERVICES

PEEBLES

350 jobs completed

4.7

-105 reviews

My name is Robert and I am the owner of JCS VEHICLE SERVICES. We are a small family run business based near Eddleston in the scottish borders. I have been working in th

1st class service, would use again

MichaelBMW Z Series

Tue 18 February

4.7

-105 reviews

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The Garage..

glenrothes

813 jobs completed

4.5

-57 reviews

Situated in Glenrothes, Fife, The Car Garage is an independent vehicle repair company offering MOT preparation and service facilities on-site. We pride ourselves in provi

£969.60

sidVauxhall Antara

Tue 11 February

4.5

-57 reviews

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BROOMHEAD GARAGE LIMITED, Bosch Car Service

DUNFERMLINE

16 jobs completed

-1 review

Broomhead Garage of Dunfermline has been a car repair, MOT testing station and car servicing centre for many years. Our mechanics provide a professional and reliable ser

Good honest service

ScottPeugeot Partner

Wed 22 January

-1 review

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Popular categories:

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MOT in Edinburgh

Prices can vary depending on the make and model of your car. In Edinburgh, drivers save the most on average by comparing MOT quotes.

Average quote pricefrom £41

Courtesy car available31 garages

Common opening hours9am to 5pm

Weekend availability231 garages open on Saturday

Rated 4+ stars77 garages

Extra services availablePick up and collection, Courtesy car, Waiting room, Wifi available, Mobile mechanic, MOT bays, VAT registered, Fast fitter, Bodywork specialist, Windscreen specialist, Wheel specialist

MOT quotes by make in Edinburgh

Prices can vary depending on the make and model of your car. In Edinburgh, Ford drivers save the most on average by comparing MOT quotes.

Car Make	Average Price	Average Saving
Ford	£40.81	£3.08	Get a quote
Nissan	£41.16	£4.73	Get a quote
Vauxhall	£41.94	£3.16	Get a quote
Toyota	£40.50	£3.73	Get a quote
BMW	£41.68	£3.38	Get a quote
Volkswagen	£40.36	£3.12	Get a quote
Peugeot	£40.93	£4.07	Get a quote
Audi	£38.76	£3.77	Get a quote
Renault	£39.50	£3.77	Get a quote
Mercedes	£39.72	£2.50	Get a quote
MINI	£38.69	£4.28	Get a quote

Prices based on the average from the past 3 months

Based on estimates from FixMyCar

Frequently asked questions

What is a MOT test?: An MOT is a service/test which every car is legally required to have carried out every 12 months. It ensures that your car is functioning, safe and of course legal to drive.
How much is an MOT?: The maximum MOT test price that a garage can charge is set by the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Currently, the maximum cost is set at £54.85 for cars and caravans.
When is my car’s MOT due?: If you have bought a used car recently, an MOT certificate from the previous owner will be included in the documents you receive when you buy the car, this will inform you of the next due date. If you can’t find your certificate, the website www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk will help you find out when your next test is due. If your car is new, it will be required after three years.
What does a MOT check?: It includes an inspection of the following:
Screenwash
Wiper blades
Beam patterns
Exhaust and engine mounts
Brake pad levels
Suppression joints and brushes
Lights
Tread depth
Suspension levels
Corrosion of the suspension mounts
Engine exhaust emissions
CO2 and CO3 emissions and hydrocarbon emissions
How can I check my MOT history?: You can check this at https://mot-history.net/. This new government service allows you to check the history of any car from just putting in the vehicle make and registration number.
What can fail a MOT?: The most common reasons why cars fail their MOT are:
worn seatbelts
windscreen chips
incorrect beam pattern

s
insufficient tyre tread depth
faulty registration plate lamps
damaged wiper blades
What should I do if my car fails its MOT?: You’ll be issued with a VT30 Certificate stating why the car failed. There is no time limit before a retest can be booked, and the garage will normally offer to carry out the required repairs. Therefore, you should undertake any necessary repairs pointed out by the garage to ensure a pass certificate.
How often should I get a MOT?: Your car should go in for its MOT annually, unless of course it was bought and registered as brand new. If this is the case it is only required after three years of its registration, but after that point it should be taken in yearly like other cars.

Do you need to find an MOT specialist in Edinburgh?

If you want to book an MOT in Edinburgh, you can compare quotes from our network of thousands of garages and mechanics, find the best price and instantly book online.

Driving in the capital of Scotland isn't difficult compared to London. Most residential and shopping streets have a speed limit of 20mph. However, Edinburgh records over 900 road accidents annually, making it the second most dangerous area in the country for driving. Edinburgh's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) came into force on 1 June 2024, and a few central streets are off-limits to private cars, including Princes Street.

A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is in operation in Edinburgh. It was introduced in 2008 and covers most of Greater London, including some sections of the M1 and M4 but excluding the M25. The purpose of the LEZ is to discourage the most polluting diesel vehicles from driving in London. Unlike the ULEZ, which doesn't operate on Christmas Day, this zone is enforced all year round. How much you pay depends on your vehicle - it can be between £100-300. Find out more in this guide.

Driving in cities like Edinburgh puts extra strain on your car due to long periods of idling and frequent stopping and starting in traffic. The parts most at risk are the brakes, cooling system and transmission. Manoeuvring into tight parking spaces and navigating busy roads can result in scuffed alloys and dented or scraped bodywork while driving over potholes can throw out your suspension. FixMyCar can help you find affordable repairs and maintenance in Edinburgh for all these crucial components.

A car MOT is an annual inspection that ensures your vehicle meets acceptable safety and environmental standards. It is a legal requirement to book an MOT test every twelve months unless your car is under three years old.

An MOT consists of dozens of tests, including an emissions test, but it doesn't cover the condition of the clutch, engine or gearbox. The three most common reasons for and MOT failure are lighting/signalling, suspension and brakes.

At the end of the test, you will get an MOT certificate that says whether your car passed or failed. If it fails, you can only drive your car if your current certificate is still valid and the test didn't identify any "dangerous" problems. Otherwise, you must get your vehicle repaired immediately.

Finding an affordable car MOT centre with good reviews is essential because you never know whether your vehicle will require extra work after the test. Fortunately, you're in the right place.

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Compare MOT quotes from specialist garages in Edinburgh