MOT Bay Throughput Calculator 2025/26
Estimate the annual revenue potential of your MOT bays based on bay count, slot duration, daily operating hours, days per year and the split between MOT work and servicing. Use DVSA's statutory maximum fee of £54.85 per car MOT to stress-test your revenue at different utilisation rates.
Key Inputs
- Number of MOT bays
- MOT slot duration in minutes (DVSA standard: 45 minutes for cars)
- Daily operating hours per bay
- Operating days per year
- Percentage of bay time allocated to MOT work (vs servicing)
- MOT fee charged per vehicle (maximum £54.85 for cars, 2025/26)
What You'll Get
- Maximum MOT tests per bay per day at given slot duration
- Maximum MOT tests per year across all bays
- Revenue at full capacity
- Revenue at 65%, 70% and 75% utilisation (typical range)
- Blended daily revenue if servicing fills remaining bay time
Important Notes — 2025/26 Rates & Caveats
The DVSA statutory maximum MOT fee for cars in 2025/26 is £54.85. Garages cannot legally charge more — it is a hard statutory cap, not a guideline. The maximum retest fee (first retest at the same garage) is £28.20. Most independent garages operate at 65–75% bay utilisation when accounting for no-shows, test failures, preparation time and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Heavy goods vehicle MOT fees are higher (up to £102.45 for rigid HGVs) and are calculated separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum MOT fee DVSA allows for cars?
The DVSA statutory maximum fee for a car MOT in 2025/26 is £54.85. This is a legal maximum — no approved MOT testing station can charge above this amount for a class 4 vehicle (standard car). Garages are free to charge less. The maximum fee is reviewed periodically by the DVSA. Retest fees (for a failed vehicle retested at the same site within 10 working days) are capped at £28.20.
How many MOTs can one bay complete per day?
At the standard 45-minute slot, one bay can theoretically complete 8 MOTs in a 6-hour testing window, or up to 10–11 in an 8-hour window. In practice, most bays complete 7–9 tests per day when accounting for test administration, vehicle movement time and the occasional advisory or fail that extends the process. More experienced testers with efficient workflow can approach the theoretical maximum.
Can I charge more than the DVSA maximum MOT fee?
No. The DVSA maximum MOT fee is a statutory maximum set under the Road Traffic Act. Charging above it is illegal and can result in the revocation of your vehicle testing authorisation (VTA). You may charge less — many garages price MOTs at a loss leader to generate servicing work. Always display your fee schedule clearly in line with Consumer Rights Act 2015 requirements.
Related Calculators
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