Your car has failed its MOT. Here is what happens next, what the retest rules are, and how the costs work.
How long do you have to get a retest
If the repairs are carried out at the same testing station that failed the car, you have up to 10 working days from the original test date to return for a free partial retest, covering only the items that failed. If you take the car elsewhere for repairs and then return for a retest, the same 10 working day window applies but you may be charged for a partial retest.
What a retest covers
A retest only re-examines the items that caused the failure. It does not re-test the entire vehicle. So if your car failed on a blown headlight and worn wiper blades, the retest will check those two items and nothing else.
What if repairs take longer than 10 working days
If the repairs take longer than 10 working days, or if you choose to have the car repaired elsewhere and do not return within 10 working days, you will need a full new MOT test at the full price. The original fail result remains on the DVSA database permanently.
Can you drive the car after a failure
Generally no. However, you are permitted to drive directly to a pre-booked garage for repairs and directly back to the testing station for a retest. The failure certificate (VT30) acts as evidence that these journeys are necessary.
Retest at Steins Garage
If your car was tested at Steins Garage and fails, we will give you a clear written list of all failure points, a quote for the repairs, and book you in for a retest once the work is done. We aim to complete most repair and retest combinations on the same day. Call us on 0131 554 3423 or book your MOT online.