How Long Does An MOT Take?
Is your vehicle coming up for its MOT? Your MOT test is a vital (and legally mandatory) piece of car maintenance, which needs to be done every year once your vehicle is three years old. The good news is, it should be a quick in-and-out job, but the length of time you’ll be off the road for can vary – depending on the vehicle type and the findings of the test.
The truth is, it’s always tricky to fit any car maintenance into a busy schedule, but planning ahead will save you hassle, and make sure your annual MOT test doesn’t impact your day. Read on for all you need to know about how long your MOT will take.
Average MOT duration
Generally, a standard MOT test will take somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour to complete. If your vehicle passes, you’ll receive your certificate and you’ll be good to go and roadworthy until next year.
You should bear in mind though that there is a risk of your vehicle failing its MOT. It’s illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate, so if it does fail, you’ll need to have the repairs carried out and the car re-tested before you can drive it away.
You can reduce the risk of your vehicle failing its MOT and causing disruption to your life by keeping up with regular maintenance. Almost half of faults found in an MOT can be avoided with simple maintenance like oil changes and tyre checks; by having your car serviced regularly, you can reduce the risk of your MOT taking longer than it needs to.
MOT waiting times for different vehicle types
It’s also worth knowing that different vehicles require different levels of MOT, and so some will take longer than others.
Class 4 is the most common type of MOT, carried out on most standard cars and vehicles with up to 8 seats. A class 4 MOT generally takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete.
A class 7 MOT is usually carried out on larger vehicles, such as commercial vans and heavy goods vehicles. As with a class 4 MOT, a class 7 MOT should take up to an hour.
An electric car MOT is slightly different to those carried out on traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The main difference being that ICE vehicles have exhaust systems which need to be tested, whereas this isn’t needed for an electric vehicle – shaving some time off the test.
However, there are elements of an electric car MOT which aren’t required for ICE vehicles – such as checking the charging equipment, or more in-depth checks of the battery.
So, when taking all of this into consideration, you can expect your electric vehicle MOT to take around (yes, you guessed it) 45 – 60 minutes.
Your annual service is an essential bit of maintenance, which will help your car continue to run smoothly and expand its lifespan. It’s also important for maintaining resale value, and making sure your car’s warranty remains valid. If you have a vehicle on a lease agreement like PCP, it may be a requirement that you have it serviced annually – you should check this with the provider.
You can save yourself time and money by having your MOT and service carried out at the same time. You can tie it all up into one visit, and give yourself the ultimate peace of mind of knowing your vehicle is in perfect condition.
There’s also less risk of your vehicle failing its MOT if it’s serviced at the same time. Simple things like worn brake discs could cause your MOT to fail, but would be fixed as part of the service – saving you the hassle of a failure.
At Vasstech, we offer a comprehensive MOT and service package, which takes between two and four hours to complete.
Can I wait during the MOT?
In short – yes. As we know, a straightforward MOT doesn’t take long to carry out, so for a lot of people, it’s easier to just wait at the testing centre. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to see it happening through a viewing window.
If you prefer though, it’s fine to leave your vehicle at the garage for its MOT. Some people find it easier to drop off in the morning and collect later on after work, or you could wander off and grab a coffee while the test is being carried out – it’s entirely up to you.
Vasstech garages are located close to local amenities, meaning there’s plenty to do to keep you busy while you wait for your MOT. For example, Vasstech Knaresborough sits within St James Retail Park, with a variety of shops and restaurants on our doorstep.
Will I have to wait longer if my car fails its MOT?
As we’ve mentioned, there is a risk that your car will fail its MOT and that will mean you’ll need to wait longer. If this is the case and you need repairs after your MOT, your mechanic will discuss your options with you and give you an idea of how long it will take until your car is ready for the road again.
They may be able to fix it on the day, or depending on the scale of the job, you may need to leave it at the testing centre and collect it when it’s ready. This could take a couple of hours, or it could need to stay in the garage for a few days; all depending on the work that needs to be done.
After the repair work is carried out, the car will need to be re-tested, which will take an additional 45 minutes to an hour.
Ready to book your next MOT?
With over 15 years experience and countless MOTs under our belts, you can trust Vasstech. With our efficient and comprehensive MOT tests, it’s never been easier to keep your vehicle safely on the road. Book your MOT with our expert technicians today.
