MOT Booking FAQs (UK) – Help Center

Receipts are available in the app. Go to the 'My account' menu in the app and then select 'EV Charging & MOT receipts'. Your MOT booking and any additional work transactions will be listed, you can click on a transaction to open the receipt.

How does booking an MOT work?

1. Open the 'My cars' page using the menu bar in the app.

2. Select the vehicle you want to book for an MOT. View the date that the MOT test is due for that vehicle, then click ‘Book now’.

3. Search for the most convenient garage using the map or search via location.

4. Tap on a garage from the map pin, or, use the list for more information and select your MOT dates.

5. Select three dates that work for you, and we’ll send all three to the garage so they can pick the date that fits.

6. Select a drop-off time - this time will apply to all three dates.

7. Enter your name, email address and phone number - Make sure you’ll be contactable using this number on the day of your test. These details will not be saved to your PayByPhone account and will only be used for this MOT booking.

8. Confirm your details and validate your payment method. You will be charged 48 hours before the booking date, but we need to verify the payment and you might be asked to validate them with your bank.

9. We will send your MOT request to your chosen garage. They will usually respond by the next working day to confirm your booking. If none of your dates fit, they will send back an alternative option.

10. When the garage confirms your booking, you’ll receive an email. You can also refer to the booking status on the 'My cars' page within the app.

11. 48 hours before the MOT date we will process the payment. If we have any issues with payment, we will email you to re-enter your payment details.

12. On the day of your test, find your check-in pass in the app by clicking on your booking in the 'My cars' section.

What happens if my car requires work or repairs as part of my MOT test?

1. Not all cars pass their MOT test the first time, so if your car needs any additional work, the garage will send the details to you in the app to approve and pay.

As part of this process, we also check you are paying the right price. We do this through our partnership with 1link, a trusted vehicle repair software for fleet operators, that reviews the extra work against automotive industry data to validate the work requested by the garage.

2. We’ll let you know about this by email, but to avoid delays, we will call you if you haven’t responded within 45 minutes and ask you to approve the work in the app.

3. When you to approve work in the app, you'll see two sections. One for work needed to pass your MOT and one for advisories.

You will need to approve the work in the top section unless you want to take your vehicle elsewhere for the repairs to be carried out.

You can choose to add individual items in the bottom advisories section. Once you have chosen what repairs to approve, you can pay for the additional work.

4. If you don’t want the work carried out, decline the work and add your reason to help the garage decide how to proceed.

5. Once you have approved the work, we’ll relay that to the garage, and they will get started. If you have declined it, the garage will let you know when to collect your vehicle.

6. Once your vehicle has passed the test, the garage will call you to collect it, along with your MOT certificate.

Can I search for a specific garage?

You can currently search the map by street address or point of interest, rather than searching by name.

Who is 1link?

PayByPhone has integrated with a vehicle maintenance management system called 1link Service Network. We work with 1link to bring this service to consumers via PayByPhone. 1link is well known by the garages available on PayByPhone for fleet maintenance.

Why is the MOT price different in the PayByPhone app to what the garage advertises?

PayByPhone, in partnership with 1link, has agreed rates with garages for MOT bookings which is why the rates may be different from what the garage advertises to people who book directly.

What garages are available in the PayByPhone app?

The PayByPhone app includes thousands of garages, including all the major car franchises, such as Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, and Ford, and other major garage networks, like Halfords and ATS.

Can I cancel or reschedule my booking?

Yes! Go to the 'My cars' page in the app. Find your booking and then select Cancel. You’ll get an email to confirm this and if you’ve already paid and meet the terms and conditions, you will be refunded within 5 working days. You can cancel for free up to 2 hours before your booking time. If you cancel after this time, it will incur a no-show fee.

To reschedule, cancel your current booking and make a new appointment with a different date.

If you don’t cancel up to 2 hours before your booking and miss your booking, you will be charged a no-show fee of £25.

Do you offer MOTs for Class 7 vehicles?

We only offer MOT tests for Class 4 vehicles. This includes most cars or vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats such as taxis, private hire cars, ambulances, motorhomes, campervans, most vans and smaller commercial vehicles with a weight of up to 3,000 kg.

How can I check my vehicle's MOT due date?

Go to the 'My cars' page and if your MOT is due in 4 weeks or less, you'll be able to book right away.

How does PayByPhone know my MOT expiry date?

We use the DVLA to look up your vehicle details after they are added to the app. One piece of information that comes back from the DVLA is the MOT expiry date and we use that to send you a reminder 6 weeks before it is due to expire.

FAQs about an MOT test

What is an MOT Test?

The MOT Test (Ministry of Transport Test) is an annual vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions test required in the UK for most vehicles over three years old.

What's the difference between a car service and MOT?

A service focuses on maintenance, preventing breakdowns and is a comprehensive check of various components. At the same time, an MOT is an inspection that makes sure your vehicle meets legal safety and environmental standards.

How far in advance should I book my MOT Test?

PayByPhone will send you a reminder four weeks before the due date, and that’s when we recommend you book your test to get the best availability. You can present your vehicle for the MOT test 30 days before the expiry of your MOT, if you book it any earlier then you lose the MOT expiry anniversary.

What documents do I need to bring to the MOT Test?

You don't need to bring any documents to your MOT test. Garages can get all the information they need from the DVLA. Remember to show your check-in pass in the app to the garage when you drop your car off.

How much does an MOT Test cost?

The UK government sets the maximum fee for an MOT test, which is currently £54.85 but many garages charge less. PayByPhone, in partnership with 1link, has agreed rates with garages for MOT bookings which is why the rates may be different from what the garage advertises to people who book directly, so check different garages to compare the prices.

What happens after the MOT test?

If your vehicle passes the MOT, you’ll get an MOT certificate and advisory notes for any future issues. If it fails, you get a refusal certificate listing the repairs you must get before a retest.

What if my MOT certificate has expired?

Driving without a valid MOT certificate is illegal. If your certificate has expired, you must book and pass an MOT test before driving your vehicle on public roads. You can drive to a pre-booked MOT test or a garage for repairs following a failed MOT. But you need to be able to prove that these bookings exist.

What is the penalty for driving without an MOT?

Driving without a valid MOT certificate can result in significant penalties in the UK:

1. Fines: You can be fined up to £1,000.

2. Insurance Issues: Your vehicle insurance may be invalidated, which means you might not be covered in the event of an accident.

3. Prosecution: You can be prosecuted if caught driving a vehicle without a valid MOT. You can drive to a pre-booked MOT test or a garage for repairs following a failed MOT. But you need to be able to prove that these bookings exist

4. Road Tax: You cannot renew your road tax without a valid MOT.

How long does an MOT test take?

An MOT test usually takes around 45-60 minutes. However, if your vehicle needs any repairs it may take longer.

If my car fails its MOT test, how much will the MOT re-test be?

The cost of an MOT re-test can vary based on where and when you have it done. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. If the repairs are carried out at the same testing station that conducted the original MOT test, many stations offer a free partial re-test if it's done within 10 working days.

2. If you take your vehicle away for repairs and return it to the same testing station within 10 working days, some testing stations may charge a reduced fee for the re-test.

3. If you return your vehicle for a re-test after more than 10 working days, you may be charged for a full MOT test, which could be up to the maximum fee of £54.85 for a car.

It's best to check with the specific MOT testing station for their re-test rules and fees.

How can I check a vehicle's MOT history?

MOT history is coming soon to the PayByPhone app, but you can view the history on the government’s vehicle enquiry website here.

How early can I book my MOT?

You can book your MOT up to a month before it expires. We send reminders 4 weeks before your MOT expiry date, so we suggest you book then. Garages get booked up fast, and it can take a few weeks to get the appointment you want.

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Booking and MOT in the PayByPhone App.

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