Friday 26 June 2026

MOT test changes launching within weeks will see DVSA hike maximum service charges

WATCH: DVSA outlines vehicle recall changes to MOT certificates

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DVSA

Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 25/06/2026

- 10:16

The new maximum service charges will launch on July 6, 2026

Motorists could soon face new charges when taking their vehicles for an MOT test as the DVSA increases the maximum service charge.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that new charges will be introduced within weeks following a consultation.


It proposed increases to the amount that MOT centres for heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches and trailers can charge customers for using their facilities.

The consultation, which ran between September 25 and November 21 last year, found that 99 per cent of authorised testing facilities (ATFs) were supportive of increasing the maximum service charge.

Maximum service charges are the rates that ATFs can make to customers for using their facilities.

A further 95 per cent of respondents who were both vehicle operators and ATFs backed the measures, although this dropped to just 62 per cent of vehicle operators.

From July 6, 2026, the maximum service charge will rise to £70 for HGVs, £50 for trailers and £90 for buses and coaches.

The price hikes will see prices rise from current levels of £55 for HGVs, £40 for trailers and £70 for buses and coaches.

Mechanic checking on a car and an MOT Testing station

The maximum service charge for HGVs, trailers, buses and coaches will rise in the coming weeks

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GETTY

However, these are lower than if the maximum service charge were to be uprated in line with CPI inflation.

If prices rose in line with inflation, vehicle operators would have faced costs of £85 for HGVs, £62 for trailers and £108 for buses and coaches.

The changes are being introduced to help ATFs cover their rising costs and allow ATFs to plan for future testing equipment needs.

The consultation noted that the price changes could also keep the vehicle testing network sustainable.

A car undergoing an MOT test

Changes will not be made to car or motorcycle MOT tests

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PA.

It added that it would be beneficial to the industry by providing extra capacity and choice for vehicle operators.

In total, 634 responses were collected for the consultation, with the DVSA outlining that it would publish a more detailed summary of responses as soon as possible.

Changes will not be made to the maximum cost of an MOT for cars and motorcycles, which will remain at £54.85 and £29.65, respectively.

Earlier this year, the Department for Transport confirmed that electric vans weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes will move to the Class 7 MOT testing regime.

This will allow electric vans to avoid further red tape and allow them to make savings of up to 60 per cent on MOTs.