Southampton MOT test centres

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Of every hundred cars presented for an MOT in the SO area, about 29 fail. Nationally the figure is 28, so Southampton and its surroundings are a little harder on cars than most of Britain. The most common defect on failed tests here is a sidelight not working. Based on 1,204,220 tests recorded by DVSA.

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.

A blown bulb fails the test as surely as a worn brake, and a bulb is a few pounds. Check brake lights with the car reversed up to a wall. The pass rates for the whole country show the same pattern, and our advisory conversion table puts a number on how often a noted item fails the following year.

DVSA sets a maximum test fee, and no station in Southampton 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 Southampton

March is the busiest month for MOTs in the SO area, with about 61% more tests than April. If your test falls in a busy month, book two to three weeks ahead; in a quiet one, most stations can fit you in within days.

Retests

A failed car left at the garage for repair gets a free retest. Take it away and bring it back within ten working days and the retest is free for the common small items (bulbs, wipers, tyres, mirrors, seatbelts) and half price at most for the rest. Miss the ten days and you pay for a full test.

Driving to the test without an MOT

You can drive to a pre-booked test with no MOT, and to a garage for repairs found at the test. That is the only situation where driving without one is legal, and the car must still be roadworthy and insured.