Bristol MOT garages: every approved test centre

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Cars tested in the BS postcode area fail first time 34.3% of the time, against 28.2% nationally, so 6.1 points worse than average. A sidelight not working heads the local list, on 9.63% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum close behind. The figures come from 1,702,245 DVSA test records for the area.

Bars show how often each defect appears on failed tests in this area. The figure in italics is the difference from the national rate for that defect.

Lights are the cheapest category to fail on and the easiest to prevent: walk round the car with every lamp on before you go. The national MOT statistics show the same pattern, and our guide to MOT advisories puts a number on how often a noted item fails the following year.

DVSA sets a maximum test fee, and no station in Bristol can charge more than £54.85 for a car. Most charge less: chains and larger independents often advertise £30 to £40, and a few quote the full amount. The price is for the test only; any repair is separate and you are free to have it done elsewhere.

When to book in Bristol

Demand peaks in October and bottoms out in April, a swing of roughly 58%. The peaks follow the March and September plate changes three years earlier, when new cars reach their first test.

Retests

If the car fails and you leave it at the station for repair, the retest is free. If you take it away, a partial retest within ten working days at the same station is free for a list of minor items such as lamps, wipers, mirrors, seatbelts and tyres, and charged at a reduced fee for anything else. After ten days it is a full test again.

Driving to the test without an MOT

The law allows one journey without a certificate: to a booked MOT, or to repairs arising from one. Keep the booking confirmation with you, and remember that insurance is still required and a dangerous defect still makes the car illegal to drive.