MOT Retest Rules: A Plain English Refresher for Service Advisors
When can a customer get a free MOT retest, and when does a fresh fee apply? A back-to-basics summary your front-of-house team can use.
The retest basics
A retest is free if the vehicle is brought back within 10 working days of the original test's failure date — and the failure was on specific items only. After 10 working days, a full new test fee applies.
Items that qualify for a partial retest
- Brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, mirrors, wipers and washers, driver's view of the road, seatbelts, registration plates, bodywork, horn and electrical system (per the official DVSA list).
Items that need a full retest
Major items not on the partial-retest list — for example, the emissions system — will require a full new test, even if repaired within the 10-day window.
Practical tips for your team
- Print the partial-retest categories and keep them at the front desk.
- Note the retest-by date on every fail sheet your customer takes away.
- Follow up with an SMS reminder 2 days before the retest window closes — it's the lowest-effort recovery campaign there is.
A simple retest reminder cycle can recover thousands in lost revenue a year. If your garage isn't automating this yet, it's the easiest retention lever to pull.
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