What is the ratio of MoT centres to vehicles in the UK?

Getting an MOT test as at when due could mean a long wait if you are unable to get a pass first time. I have been trying to get a retest, but they have no availability till a week. I did a quick check to see if I could get an earlier date elsewhere, but I was shocked when some said the next availability is in October, others even said early November! This got me thinking: how many MOT Centres are available, and how many vehicles? I did a quick check online, but the numbers were not steady. Someone said about 700 cars to one MOT Centre, but did not say if it is for daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Secondly, what does it take to have an MOT test centre, including financial investment? I am a mechanic in training and a crazy car enthusiast.

Asked on 5 September 2024 by Victor Ahiaba

Answered by David Ross

The government's own figures suggest there are approximately 23,000 testing stations in the UK carried out by 60,000 privately employed MoT testers, with around 33 million cars in the UK. This gives a ratio of 1,434 cars for each MoT provider, but this figure does not take into account cars under three years old or those that are MoT exempt, so the actual figure will be lower. It is also worth bearing in mind that an MoT rarely takes more than one hour, so a station can complete several MoTs in a single day. Availability of tests will vary by location and local demand.

If you are interested in becoming an MoT tester, the government provides advice on how to do so here: www.gov.uk/become-an-mot-tester

Tags: mot garages mot test

Similar questions

Should my MoT have notified me that the underside of my car was rusty?

Last year I had the MoT done on my car at the same garage that I purchased it from. On the MoT certificate it stated that there was a small patch of rust underneath the car that needed welding as an advisory....

Would a broken daytime running light be an MoT fail?

My 2013 Volvo V40 offside daytime running light is out - would this be an MoT fail?

Will my car fail its MoT because the third brake light doesn't work?

Is the high level braking light part of the MoT test? I have read somewhere that if it is fitted it must work. Mine has stopped working and I cannot find out why. If I remove it completely as long as the...