The current MOT test fee is unsustainable and should be raised to at least £95, says the Independent Garage Association (IGA).

The IGA represents more than 4,500 non-franchised car repair and maintenance businesses across the UK.

The current fee of £54.85 charged for the ‘Class 4’ MOT test applicable to cars and light vans was originally introduced in April 2010.

Following 16 years of process changes, inflation and other increased costs, the IGA believes the current fee needs to ‘increase significantly’ 

As such, the IGA has secured a meeting with the Department for Transport to push for a review of the Class 4 MOT inspection fee.

Inflation on goods and services alone has made the current £54.85 MOT fee ‘unsustainable’, says the IGA.

It also notes that independent garages have faced the challenge of paying more for rent, fuel, equipment and energy. 

In addition, multiple changes have been introduced to the MOT test process since 2010, including recent trials to tackle the problem of ‘ghost certificates’. 

Such changes mean that garages have to invest additional time in staff training and administration, which adds to the true cost of providing an MOT inspection. 

A survey of IGA members has identified strong support for increasing the fee charged for an annual MOT. Upping the price to £95 equates to a price rise of more than 73 percent. 

Earlier this year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) increased the MOT fees for HGVs and coaches, albeit at a level below that of inflation.

According to the IGA, garages are already beginning to reduce their level of MOT test capacity due to the current fees being charged. 

As such, the trade organisation says motorists will feel the impact through ‘reduced availability, fewer testing appointments and ultimately less consumer choice’.

Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association commented: “It is a fact that the current MOT fee has remained static for 16 years. We are being advised by garage owners that without a significant increase to the MOT fee, they cannot continue to sustain this ever-increasing cost burden. 

“As the representative body for the independent garage sector, the IGA will continue to challenge the government to deliver an acceptable resolution to this issue before it causes a level of consumer detriment.”

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