Editor’s comment 3 www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTEMBER 2025 Editor Chris Callander chris@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 671123 Head of Sales Angela Lyus angela@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 7823 736 629 Managing Director Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Marketing Manager Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Production Design Anthony Wiffen production@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 7851 612799 Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Published by DFA Media Group 192 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE +44 (0)1732 370340 ISSN 2516-9149 Aftermarket is published 10 times a year and is sent free of charge to applicants meeting the publisher’s criteria. All others may subscribe at £60 per anum, £120 Europe and £150 rest of the world. While every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or ommisions, no matter how caused. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Copyright: DFA Aftermarket Media Ltd 2026. Average net circulation July 2024 to June 2025 22,797 How much is an MOT really worth? Few topics seem to divide the independent garage sector quite like MOT pricing. On one side are those arguing that the current maximum fee of £54.85 has become unsustainable. Indeed, if the fee had kept pace with inflation since its freeze in 2010, it would cost a little over £90. So the maximum price today represents a real terms discount of over £35. With increasing labour costs, investment in equipment, premises, training and compliance, it’s easy to understand why many testers believe the economics simply no longer stack up. The strength of feeling has become clear in recent weeks, with calls from the IAAF for the government to introduce a minimum MOT fee to prevent what many see as a race to the bottom. Yet the market tells a different story. It’s still possible to find MOTs advertised for £35 or less, often by larger national groups with the buying power and workshop capacity to absorb the loss. Many independents simply can’t compete with that pricing without taking a hit. That, in turn, fuels another long-running debate. When an MOT is sold as a loss leader, does it create pressure to recover the margin elsewhere? Some within the industry believe it can encourage unnecessary repair work or marginal failure decisions. Others strongly reject that suggestion, pointing out that the overwhelming majority of testers act professionally and with integrity. Importantly, there is little hard evidence either way, with much of the discussion based on anecdotal experience rather than data. So, what is the answer? Should minimum pricing be introduced? Should the maximum MOT fee be increased? Or should garages simply be free to charge whatever the market will bear? I’d genuinely like to know what you think. We’re planning an MOT-focussed feature for the next issue of Aftermarket, due to be published in September after a very welcome summer break. If you’ve got a view – whether you’re an independent garage, a fast-fit operator, an MOT tester or somewhere in between –I’d like to hear it. Because until the industry can agree on what an MOT is actually worth, this debate isn’t going away. I can be reached at chris@aftermarket.co.uk and I will be interested to hear from all sides of the debate. In the meantime, enjoy this issue, and enjoy the summer. Chris Callander Editor
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