Motorcycle MOT Prices Could Rise as Independent Garage Association Calls for £95 Fee

Independent Garage Association says current MOT fee is no longer sustainable, with motorcycle tests also caught up in the proposed increase.

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has called for the Government to significantly increase the maximum MOT fee, which could lead to higher motorcycle MOT prices. The IGA argues that the current maximum fee of £29.65 for a motorcycle MOT is no longer sustainable due to rising operating costs.

## Proposed Increase in Maximum MOT Fee

The IGA wants the maximum fee for an MOT to increase to at least £95. However, it has not yet confirmed what this would mean specifically for motorcycle MOTs. The current maximum fee for a motorcycle MOT is £29.65, which could be significantly impacted by any substantial increase.

## Impact on Motorcycle Owners

Motorcycle owners could face higher costs for keeping their bikes legally on the road if the maximum MOT fee is increased. The IGA has not yet confirmed whether it is proposing that motorcycle MOTs should rise to £95, or what figure it will put forward when it enters discussions with the Government.

## Background on the Current MOT Fee

The maximum MOT fee has remained unchanged since 2010, despite garages facing significantly higher costs for labour, rent, equipment, fuel, energy, compliance, administration, and staff training. Inflation alone makes the current MOT fee unsustainable, according to Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association.

## Potential Consequences of Reduced MOT Capacity

If garages decide that motorcycle MOTs are no longer commercially viable at the current price, riders could find themselves with fewer testing centres and longer waits for appointments. The IGA argues that allowing the fee to continue falling behind the cost of delivering an MOT could ultimately reduce consumer choice, with garages forced to cut the number of testing bays or stop offering tests altogether.

## Government Decision on New MOT Fee

The Government will have to decide not only whether the maximum MOT fee should increase, but whether motorcycle testing should be treated separately when setting any new limits. For now, there is no confirmed new price for a motorcycle MOT. But with the IGA preparing to make its case to Government, riders could soon find themselves paying more for one of the less glamorous but unavoidable costs of keeping a motorcycle road legal.

| **Current Maximum Fee** | **Proposed Increase** | | --- | --- | | £29.65 (motorcycle MOT) | £95 (proposed maximum MOT fee) |

The IGA's call for a significant increase in the maximum MOT fee could have a noticeable impact on the cost of keeping a motorcycle legally on the road. The outcome of the Government's decision will determine the future of motorcycle MOT prices.