MOT Retest: Everything You Need to Know to Get Back on the Road

You failed your MOT, and you’re unsure what the next steps are. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to help get you back on the road without breaking the bank on repairs. Let us help you turn an MOT fail into a minor bump in the road, rather than a mountain to climb.

What happens if I fail my MOT test?

Don’t panic. It can be frustrating, but you can get your car back on the road as soon as the next working day.

You should receive a VT30 Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate explaining the reasons why your car failed the test.

In this instance, you cannot drive your car if your previous MOT has expired.

Instead, you will need to get the issues repaired.

However, you are allowed to drive to get your car fixed or to a pre-arranged MOT appointment.

The most convenient solution is to leave your car at the test centre and book in repairs the next working day.

How long should you wait to retest the MOT?

We recommend getting an MOT retest within 10 working days. That’s because this is the window of opportunity to pay less for a retest. You may even be able to get the retest done for free.

You will not have to pay again if you get a retest done at the same garage before the end of the next working day.

If the repairs and retest are done within 10 working days, this will be classed as a partial retest. In this instance, you won’t have to pay the full fee.

If your retest is booked after this time, you will have to book a complete MOT test and pay the full fee.

What does an MOT retest involve?

The full list of car parts that are covered within a partial retest can be found on the Gov.UK website.

The partial retest will simply cover the parts that caused your previous MOT to fail. If the repairs have been made, you should be confident that you will pass with flying colours.

Get your MOT test booked in Peterborough with Vital Vehicle Care – your local, trusted garage.