MOT testing in Reading
MOTs in Reading, Collected and Returned
MOTs from £50 at our Reading workshop, without you having to sit in a waiting room. For an extra £20 + VAT, we’ll collect your car from home or work and bring it back once it’s been tested.
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- MOTs from £50 At our Reading workshop
- Collect and return From an extra £20 + VAT
- Open 7 days 8am to 8pm, including weekends
MOT Reading
A Hassle-Free MOT in Reading
An MOT is a regular part of owning a car, but finding the time to take it to a garage and wait isn’t always easy when you have work and family to fit in. That’s where our collect-and-return MOT comes in.
Some of the equipment an MOT needs can’t be taken out on the road, so the test itself can’t be done on your driveway. Instead, we collect your car, take it through its MOT at our Reading workshop and bring it back to you. You get the convenience of a mobile service, and the test is carried out properly, to the letter of the MOT rules.
If the car passes, it comes straight back to you. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you exactly why and what it will cost to put right before any work is done.
What’s checked
What an MOT Test Covers
An MOT checks that your car meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards set by law. It isn’t a service, and the tester doesn’t take anything apart, but it does cover the parts that keep you safe on the road:
- Lights, indicators and the horn
- Brakes, steering and suspension
- Tyres and wheels
- Seat belts, windscreen, wipers and mirrors
- Exhaust emissions and the fuel system
- The body and structure, including corrosion
Because the MOT only looks at those items on the day, it can’t tell you everything about your car’s condition. That’s why many people book a car service at the same time.
How it works
How Our Collect-and-Return MOT Works
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1. Book your MOT
Call us or send an enquiry with your registration, the date your MOT runs out and a time that suits you.
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2. We collect your car
We pick it up from your home or workplace in Reading, so you don’t lose half a day at a garage.
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3. The MOT at our workshop
Your car is tested at our Reading workshop, and we call you with the result.
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4. Back to you
A pass comes straight back. After a fail, we explain each item and agree any repairs with you before we touch anything.
If it fails
What Happens if Your Car Fails Its MOT
If your car fails, you’ll get a refusal of an MOT certificate (form VT30) listing the reasons. Each problem is graded as minor, major or dangerous, and that decides what happens next:
- Dangerous: the car mustn’t be driven until it’s repaired. Driving it can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points
- Major: the car must be repaired and pass a retest
- Minor and advisories: no repair needed to pass, but worth knowing about before they get worse
We’ll talk you through each item, fix only what’s needed and agree the cost with you first. Common fail items include worn brakes, exhaust leaks and emissions, and suspension and lighting faults, all of which we can repair at our workshop.
When it’s due
When Your Car Needs Its MOT
A car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then one every year after that.
- You can have the test up to a month, minus a day, before your current MOT runs out and still keep the same renewal date
- Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000
- Your current MOT expiry date is shown on the GOV.UK MOT history service
Booking early gives you time to sort out any repairs without the risk of the car being off the road. If you’d like a check before the test, a health check before the test can flag problems in advance.
Free quotes
Need an MOT in Reading?
Call us or send an enquiry with your registration and the date your MOT is due, and we’ll arrange a time to collect your car. We’re open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
FAQs
MOT Questions
How much does an MOT cost?
An MOT at our Reading workshop is £50. If you’d like us to collect your car and bring it back, that’s from an extra £20 + VAT. For reference, the law caps the MOT test fee for a car at £54.85.
Can you do the MOT at my home?
No. Some of the equipment an MOT needs can’t be transported, so the test has to be done at a workshop. We collect your car from home or work, take it through the MOT at our Reading workshop and bring it back.
When does my car need its first MOT?
By the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that. You can have it tested up to a month, minus a day, before the current MOT runs out and keep the same renewal date.
Can I still drive my car if it fails its MOT?
Not if it failed with a dangerous problem. It has to be repaired first, and driving it can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a ban and 3 penalty points. If there were no dangerous problems and your current MOT is still valid, you can drive it, but it must still be roadworthy, so it’s best to get the repairs done straight away.
What happens if my car needs repairs to pass?
We’ll explain each fail item, give you a price and only carry out work you’ve agreed to. We fix what’s needed to get the car back on the road safely and legally. If there’s other maintenance worth doing at the same time, we’ll tell you, but it’s your choice.
Are any vehicles exempt from the MOT?
Yes. Vehicles made more than 40 years ago that haven’t been substantially changed in the last 30 years can be exempt, as can electric goods vehicles registered before 1 March 2015 and tractors. An exempt vehicle must still be kept roadworthy.
Related services
Other Work We Often Do Alongside an MOT
Many customers book these at the same time as their MOT.
We collect from across Reading, including Caversham, Earley, Pangbourne, Shinfield, Sonning, Theale, Tilehurst and Woodley. Not sure if we reach you? Call 0118 338 5138.