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Motor Vehicles: Testing

Asked by Mr Angus MacDonaldLiberal DemocratDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 20 April 2026UIN 126367

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of independent MOT testing stations that have closed since 2010; and whether she has had discussions with the DVSA on the potential impact of the Class 4 MOT fee on local testing capacity in rural and remote areas.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

The Department understands that rising inflation and operational costs have put pressure on garages.

It is not possible to determine the number of MOT testing centres that have ‘closed’ since 2010 as sites might cease testing and then resume testing at a later date, sometimes under new ownership.

The Department keeps the MOT regime, including the fee and the provision of service in all areas of Great Britain under review. Any consideration of changes must balance the needs of garages and their ability to invest against the interests of drivers in receiving value from the MOT.

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