MOT Testing in London
Fast, friendly MOT testing in London. Clear results explained in plain English, no surprise charges, and help getting any issues sorted the same week.
The basics
An MOT is the annual safety and emissions check every car over three years old must pass to stay road-legal. It confirms your vehicle meets the minimum standards set by the DVSA — it’s not a service, but it’s the law, and driving without a valid one can void your insurance.
At Islington Auto Service we carry out the test, walk you through exactly what we find, and — if anything needs attention — give you an honest, no-obligation quote before any work begins.
The inspection
An MOT covers the key safety and emissions items on your car. Here’s what our testers look at:
Headlights, indicators, brake lights and reflectors.
Brake performance, balance, condition and the handbrake.
Tread depth, condition, size and wheel security.
Play, wear and correct operation.
Exhaust system condition and emissions limits.
Condition and operation of every belt.
View of the road, wipers and washers.
Corrosion, sharp edges and general condition.
Pricing
The price is capped by law. The most an MOT centre can charge for a standard car (class 4) is set by the DVSA — and plenty of garages, including us, aim to come in under it.
Timing
A brand-new car needs its first MOT when it turns three, then once every year after that. You can check your car’s exact expiry date for free on the GOV.UK MOT history service using your number plate — and you can have it tested up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out without losing any time on your current certificate.
If your car doesn’t pass, we’ll show you exactly what failed and why, then give you a clear written quote to put it right. When the car stays with us for the repair, a free partial retest is usually available. You’re always in control — nothing gets done without your go-ahead.
Save a trip
Booking your MOT and a service at the same time saves you a second visit — and means small issues get spotted and fixed before they become MOT failures. Ask us about combining the two when you book.
Book online
Send your details and we’ll call you back to confirm a time that suits you. Prefer to talk now? Call 020 7503 6981.
Good to know
The maximum fee an MOT centre can charge for a standard car (class 4) is £54.85, a cap set by the DVSA — many garages charge less. We’ll confirm our price when you book with Islington Auto Service.
A typical car MOT takes around 45 minutes to an hour. We’ll let you know if you can wait or if it’s easier to drop the car off.
A new car needs its first MOT at 3 years old, then every year after that. You can check your exact due date free on the GOV.UK MOT history service using your registration.
We’ll explain exactly what failed and why, give you a clear quote to put it right, and — where the car stays with us for repair — a free partial retest is usually available. Nothing is done without your say-so.
Only to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs. Otherwise driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine and invalidated insurance, so it’s best to book before it expires.