Keeping a car on the road can be hugely expensive and it can put a great strain on the household budget. Many costs are unavoidable, but you will find that there are often ways to make savings on your motoring costs. Your annual MOT is a good example of this as it is a legal requirement, but it is possible to save money if you know how.
What is an MOT?
So, what exactly is an MOT? An MOT is a test that checks that your car meets road safety and environmental standards. An MOT certificate is only valid for one year and you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a car without a valid MOT, so it is certainly an area of motoring that you cannot neglect. In addition to being a legal requirement, an MOT is important for protecting yourself and other road users as well as being important when looking to sell a car.
MOT Fees
It does cost to get the MOT test, but you should know that the cost can vary depending on where you go. There is a maximum amount that MOT testing stations can charge, which is £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle. However, some places will offer lower prices or discounts – therefore it is always a good idea to ‘search for an MOT garage near me’ and compare the prices that you find.
Avoid Retakes
In addition to this, there are other factors that can impact the cost of your MOT. If your car fails, you will need to take the test again once repairs have been made, so ideally you want to pass the first time. In some cases, you can have a partial retest for free or for a reduced fee, so you should always enquire about this if your car does not pass.
Maintenance & Servicing
This is why it is important to do basic car maintenance yourself throughout the year as well as get the car serviced when it is due (and always before an MOT). Not only will this increase the chance of your car passing its MOT, but it will also ensure that the car is in the best possible condition and could prevent any costly issues from occurring.
The annual MOT is something that every motorist needs to take seriously. You must always have a valid MOT not only for legal reasons but also for safety and environmental reasons, but you should always compare prices as different garages will charge different amounts. In addition to this, you will also want to do all that you can to avoid having to get a repair carried out and the test being done again, so you should always keep up with maintenance and the service schedule.
Leave a Reply