Book an MOT in Plymouth

Why choose the RAC for your MOT in Plymouth?

At the RAC, we’ve got over 125 years’ experience in helping UK drivers. We offer MOTs from RAC Approved Garages to make sure you’re getting an honest, reliable inspection at a fair price. Our trusted mechanics will make sure your vehicle is operating safely and effectively. You’ll get results you can rely on, at a price you can afford.

We also offer a full and interim car service in Plymouth.

Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic underneath a car

MOT

An MOT test checks if your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. Cars over 3 years old must pass an MOT test every year.

Lights and signalling

Check lights, indicators, and reflectors.

Brakes and tyres

Test brakes and examine tyre condition.

Steering and suspension

Inspect for wear and proper operation.

Exhaust and emissions

Measure emissions and check the exhaust system.

Visibility

Check mirrors, windscreen, wipers, and washers.

RAC Mobile Mechanic under the wheel arch of a white car

Full service

Get your car MOT-ready. Book a service with an RAC Mobile Mechanic. We’ll make sure your car’s safe and working correctly. Depending on your vehicle, it can take up to an hour and a half, but not to worry – we come to you. We recommend getting serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Road test

Before and after the service, we’ll run a general road test to detect if anything feels or sounds unusual and to make sure there aren’t any new problems.

Under the bonnet

- Battery and charging system check – Cooling system check – Engine oil and filter change – Fuel filter check – Air filter replacement – Power steering fluid top-up

Exterior checks

– Steering and suspension – Wheels and tyres – Brakes – Front and rear lights – Exhaust – Mechanical parts – Wipers – Wiper fluid top up

Safety feature checks

– Horn – Seatbelts – Seatbelt mounts

Full diagnostic check

We’ll plug into your onboard engine management systems using our specialist diagnostic computer. We’ll then run a full engine management system check, looking for electrical issues and any problems flagged up by the electric control units on the engine, the power steering, transmission, sensors and more.

And it’s not just MOTs that we do in Plymouth

Repairs
Whatever you need, we’ve got a repairs service you can rely on. Looking to get your brake pads and discs fixed at home? RAC Mobile Mechanics come to you. Need more in-depth work done at a garage? Choose an RAC Approved Garage to get quality work at honest prices.

Car Service
MOT coming up? Not to worry. Get ready with a full service from RAC Mobile Mechanics. We come to you at work or home, so you can relax as we service your car in your driveway. We recommend getting serviced once a year, or every 12,000 miles.

Nearby RAC Approved Garages

View all garages

Clutchmaster Automaster

5.0/5

Clutchmaster was established in May 2000 by Dave Willcocks. Since then he has offered a "Second to none" clutch replacement deal for both public and trade customers. Due to our huge buying power we have been able to structure our prices accordingly, passing on superb savings. This makes Clutchmaster the best deal on BRAND NEW clutch parts not only in the Southwest but we believe Nationwide!!

Automaster Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes, TQ96PL

Heywoods Recovery and Repairs

5.0/5

Heywoods Recovery and Repairs are a family run business located on the outskirts of Tavistock in West Devon. We offer a Nationwide Recovery service and have a fully equipped workshop. Our team of Technicians are equipped to deal with any issues that may arise from a mechanical failure. We have the latest Diagnostic equipment and Specialist tools to undertake those jobs that may have otherwise needed to go to the Main Dealer. We are able to work on the Latest EV and Plug In Hybrid vehicles. We are also able to cater for LCV and HGV repairs. All general mechanical work undertaken at reasonable rates.

Heywoods Recovery Unit 8, Pitts Cleave Ind Est, Tavistock, PL190NT

Yalberton Autos

4.8/5

Our state of the art workshop houses three 2 posted ramps, a 5 tonne two post light commercial ramp and a pit for light commercial vehicles. This allows us to carry out any type of repair to almost all makes and models of vehicles. We are also registered to conduct class 4 MOT's and offer a modern and comfortable waiting area for our customers.

Jupiter House, Aspen Way, Paigton, TQ4 7QR

Polyne Garage.

4.8/5

Here at Polyne Garage we are a small local, independent, family run business and have been serving Saltash, Liskeard and the surrounding area for over 60 years. We offer a genuinely friendly and personal service and as a Unipart Car Care Centre, as well as first class mechanics and workshops, we offer top quality parts at competitive prices. We provide a unique 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on parts and labour, which is honoured at over 2000 Car Care Centres nationwide. We also understand that dropping off and collecting your vehicle is not always convenient so we offer a collection and delivery service, please feel free to contact us for more information on this. We can estimate all jobs and will advise you in advance if any variation is necessary. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM. From all of us here at Polyne Garage we look forward to hearing from you.

Trerulefoot, Saltash, Cornwall, PL125DA

Autosave

4.7/5

We are an Rac approved garage specialising in diesels and diagnostics. We offer MOTs on motorbikes, cars, vans (up to 3.5 ton), motorhomes and minibuses. We have a full range of garage services and can cater for any vehicle up to 7.5 ton. Air conditioning repairs and re-gas service also available.

3 Nam House, Bradley Lane, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1JP

Marshall Motors SW Ltd

4.0/5

Marshall Motors SW LTD is an independently run business that prides itself on offering unrivaled sales, services, MOTs and mechanical repairs to its customers in the local area and further afield.We offer a comprehensive range of services so whether you need to book an MOT, have your car inspected for its annual check over, or if you have an urgent problem that needs attention, our team of highly specialised mechanics are on hand to fulfill your requirements. RAC ApprovedRMI ApprovedTrust My Garage ApprovedMotor Codes ApprovedTrading Standards Approved

26 Valley Road, Plymouth, PL71RF

W G Friend & Son Ltd

4.0/5

W G Friend & Son Ltd

Units 8-10 Stowford Business Park, Ivybridge, Plymouth, PL21 0BE

Roundabout & Moxham Garage

3.9/5

We are a well known independent garage situated in the heart of Yelverton. We are extremely easy to find and have many amenities local to us. RAC trading standards approved. FREE COURTESY CAR AVAILABLE !!

Moorland Villas, Yelverton, PL206DT

TyreMarks of Tavistock

3.7/5

At TyreMarks our aim is to be at the forefront and to lead the way to offer the best service and results in vehicle mechanical, electrical and diagnostic repair solutions. We run the very latest in diagnostic, ECU and emissions control equipment for just about any vehicle and manufacturer. This also includes many manufacture's own specific tools and software for Ford, BMW, VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda & Bentley, Vauxhall, Peugeot & Citroen. Our new premises in Westbridge Industrial Estate, Tavistock have given us exactly what we needed to become what we are today, with easy access and customer parking spaces at the front of the building, along with a massive parking area at the rear. A superb customer reception and waiting area, all fully compliant with disabled specifications including our toilets and a children's play area, a TV, Free WiFi and even a Free Coffee machine. Our new premises have given us the room to expand, not only our general mechanical services but also expand our specialist services even further, running 6 mechanical ramps (5 of which are rated to lift over 4 ton), a fully floating wheel free ramp to be able to offer a full 4 wheel alignment set up. Also we have 3 tyre fitting bays along with a separate room for our Stainless Steel Custom Exhaust fabrication for Powerflow, a specialist ECU repair and tuning room where we can actually open your ECU to update, repair damage, copy and clone, even clean up internal corrosion and water damage in our ultrasonic tank. We use the best products for your vehicle and we are a dealer for many leading manufactures including MICHELIN Tyres, BREMBO Brakes, SHELL Lubricants - that's correct we use Shell Oil as our standard workshop motor oil. Not many garages can say that. We are an RAC Approved Garage which shows the quality of our work and the parts we use. With the ever increasing issues with vehicle electronics, emissions and dash warning lights we have invested heavily in the latest equipment for repair, engine management, ABS, airbag, body control, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Management System) and emissions control systems, such as DPF's and EGR Valves. Our Hydroflow Carbon Cleaning Treatment along with our Off Vehicle DPF Cleaning machine run alongside our ever-increasing range of diagnostic tools and manufacture specific back up to help us stay at the forefront of our game. Our outstanding HYDROFLOW Engine Decarbonising Machine is amazing people with its results, whether its general maintenance or rectifying an array of faults including engine management faults, cleaning blocked DPF's and EGR valves. This helps to increase your MPG, reduce smoking exhausts, remove lumpy running and reduce high exhaust emissions, reducing flat spots, cleaning out sticking turbo's to name just a few. Our Hydroflow treatment has proven time and time again to improve all of these issues. With the new MOT regulations, a vehicle suffering from these issues can often make the difference between a pass or fail. We are a Powerflow Centre of Excellence and so can build you a full customised Stainless Steel Exhaust system from scratch. Whether you require a high performance system with a 200 Cell sports Catalytic Convertor, a standard replacement system or just a flexy section replacement, we can offer it. We fully tig weld every system in house for any car, van, tractor or even a generator and all our work comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. Just pop in and check out our new premises on Westbridge Industrial Estate, Pixon Lane, Tavistock to see what we can do for you.

Unit 5 Westbridge Ind Est, Tavistock, PL198DE

Mallock Road Garage

3.0/5

We are a local garage, servicing our local communtiy.

1A Mallock Road, Chelston, Torquay, TQ26AF

MOT FAQs

How early can I book an MOT?

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is shown on your most recent MOT pass certificate. You can book an MOT near you up to one month (minus a day) before the due date and still keep the same renewal date.

For example: if your MOT runs out on 16 September, the earliest you can MOT your car and keep the same renewal date next year is 17 August. You can book an MOT earlier than this. But if you do, the renewal date will change to one year (minus a day) from the date your vehicle passed this MOT.

To find out when your MOT is and how early you can book it, use the GOV.UK tool.

When do I need to book an MOT?

A car needs an MOT every year once it’s three years old (four years in Northern Ireland). Then it needs to be retested every year on the anniversary of its last MOT. Cars under three years old don’t need an MOT.

Once you’ve passed, you’ll get an MOT test certificate showing the date of the test and the expiry date. You can get your car retested up to a month (minus a day) before it expires and keep the original renewal date.

If your MOT is due, get a quote from an RAC Approved Garage near you and book your MOT online today.

What happens if I fail my MOT?

If your car fails its MOT:

You’ll get a Refusal of MOT Certificate (VT30). You can only drive away if your current MOT certificate is still valid and no ‘dangerous’ faults were listed in the MOT. You will need to have your car repaired and retested.

Your Refusal of MOT Certificate will explain why your car failed its MOT test and explain what needs to be fixed for it to pass. Ask your local garage whether you need a full or partial MOT retest, as how much you pay will depend on the state of your vehicle.

If you get your car tested, repaired and retested at the same test centre within 10 working days, you usually won’t have to pay an MOT retest fee. Sometimes there will be a partial retest fee to pay. Just ask your garage for more information.

If you drive a car that’s failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ fault, you can be fined up to £2,500. You can also be banned from driving and get three points on your licence.

To avoid failing your MOT test, maintain the condition of your car in between MOTs by booking a car service.

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