Vehicle approval test costs: cars (M1)
Updated 13 December 2022
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individual-vehicle-approval-inspection-fees/vehicle-approval-test-costs-cars
This guide sets out the fees and average test times for having vehicle approval (IVA) tests done.
You must give at least 3 clear working days’ notice to change or cancel your test or you’ll have to pay the test again.
Check which type of fee applies
The fee will depend on:
- whether your test is statutory (which does not include VAT) or voluntary (which does include VAT)
- whether your test is ‘basic’ or ‘normal’
- whether your test is in working hours
- your vehicle class, for example, a personal import (class P)
Working hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, and Friday 8am to 4:30pm
You need:
- statutory IVA - if your vehicle has not been registered in the UK before, or has been modified significantly since it was registered in the UK
- voluntary IVA - if your vehicle has already been registered in the UK
There are 2 levels of IVA inspection: basic and normal. Which one you need will depend on your vehicle.
Find out how vehicle approval works.
Statutory basic IVA
Basic IVA involves a visual inspection and other tests to make sure the vehicle meets the necessary standards.
In this section:
- amateur built
- hearses, ambulances and motorcaravans
- left-hand drives
- low-volume produced
- made using parts of a registered vehicle
- personal imports
- rebuilt
Amateur built, rebuilt, or made using parts of a registered vehicle
The table shows the price for statutory basic IVA for these type of vehicles:
- amateur built (class A)
- rebuilt (class s)
- made using parts of a registered vehicle (class C)
| Test type | In working hours | Outside working hours | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £450 | £545 | 240 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £90 | £109 | 45 minutes |
| Appeal | £450 | £545 | 180 minutes |
Low-volume produced, hearses, left-hand drives, or personal imports
The table shows the price for statutory basic IVA for these types of vehicles:
- low-volume produced (class L)
- hearses (class M)
- left-hand drives (class N)
- personal imports (class P)
| Test type | In working hours | Outside working hours | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £199 | £294 | 110 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £40 | £59 | 35 minutes |
| Appeal | £199 | £294 | 70 minutes |
Add 45 minutes to the average inspection test length for vehicles over 3,500kg.
Statutory normal IVA
You have to apply for normal IVA if you do not meet the criteria for basic IVA.
Vehicles have to meet extra standards and you’ll have to provide documentary evidence.
| Test type | In working hours | Outside working hours | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £199 | £294 | 60 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £40 | £59 | 20 minutes |
| Appeal | £199 | £294 | 70 minutes |
Voluntary Basic IVA inspection
If your vehicle has already been registered in the UK you will need to take a Voluntary IVA test.
In this section:
- amateur built
- hearses
- left-hand drives
- low-volume produced
- made using parts of a registered vehicle
- personal imports
- rebuilt
Amateur built, rebuilt, or made using parts of a registered vehicle
The table shows the price for voluntary basic IVA for types of vehicles:
- amateur built (class A)
- rebuilt (class s)
- made using parts of a registered vehicle (class C)
The table shows the fees for tests done in working hours.
| Test or check type | Service charge (in working hours) | VAT (in working hours) | Total (in working hours) | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £483.87 | £96.77 | £580.64 | 240 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £52.40 | £10.48 | £62.88 | 45 minutes |
| Appeal | £483.87 | £96.77 | £580.64 | 180 minutes |
The table shows the fees for tests done outside of working hours.
| Test or check type | Service charge (outside of working hours) | VAT (outside of working hours) | Total (outside of working hours) | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £586.03 | £117.21 | £703.24 | 240 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £72.83 | £14.57 | £87.40 | 45 minutes |
| Appeal | £483.87 | £96.77 | £580.64 | 180 minutes |
Low-volume produced, hearses, left-hand drives, or personal imports
The table shows the price for voluntary basic IVA types of vehicles:
- low-volume produced (class L)
- hearses (class M)
- left-hand drives (class N)
- personal imports (class P)
The table shows the fees for tests done in working hours.
| Test or check type | Service charge (in working hours) | VAT (in working hours) | Total (in working hours) | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £213.98 | £42.80 | £256.78 | 110 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £43.01 | £8.60 | £51.61 | 35 minutes |
| Appeal | £213.98 | £42.80 | £256.78 | 70 minutes |
The table shows the fees for tests done outside of working hours.
| Test or check type | Service charge (outside of working hours) | VAT (outside of working hours) | Total (outside of working hours) | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £316.14 | £63.23 | £379.37 | 110 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £63.44 | £12.69 | £76.13 | 35 minutes |
| Appeal | £316.14 | £63.23 | £379.37 | 70 minutes |
Add 45 minutes to the average test length for vehicles over 3500kg.
Voluntary Normal IVA inspection
The table shows the fees for tests done in working hours.
| Test or check type | Service charge (in working hours) | VAT (in working hours) | Total (in working hours) | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £213.98 | £42.80 | £256.78 | 110 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £43.01 | £8.60 | £51.61 | 35 minutes |
| Appeal | £213.98 | £42.80 | £256.78 | 70 minutes |
The table shows the fees for tests done outside of working hours.
| Test or check type | Service charge (outside of working hours) | VAT (outside of working hours) | Total (outside of working hours) | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | £316.14 | £63.23 | £379.37 | 110 minutes |
| Re-inspection | £63.44 | £12.69 | £76.13 | 35 minutes |
| Appeal | £316.14 | £63.23 | £379.37 | 70 minutes |
Add 45 minutes to the average inspection test length for vehicles over 3,500kg.
Certificates
| Certificate | Cost |
|---|---|
| Mutual Recognition / EC Approved Vehicles without Certificate of Conformity | £100 |
| Replacement Individual Approval Certificate (IAC) | £25 |