NI MOT retest deadline calculator.
Enter the date of the original failed MOT to calculate the key 21-day application date and 60-day retest date.
This calculator adds 21 and 60 calendar days to the original test date. Always confirm your eligibility and booking against the official DVA service, particularly around unusual booking circumstances.
Current full car test
£38.00
Current car retest
£29.50
Missed reduced-fee window?
DVA states that after the applicable retest window a full test fee is required.
Understanding the Northern Ireland MOT retest process
A failed MOT creates two different time limits that are easy to confuse: the period for making the reduced-fee retest application and the longer period in which the retest itself must be completed.
The 21-day application period
The current DVA reduced-fee process requires the retest application to be made within the applicable 21-day period following the original test.
That is why it is sensible to check the deadline immediately after the failure rather than waiting until all repairs have already been completed.
The 60-day completion period
The retest itself must then be completed within the applicable 60-day period from the original test.
The 60-day period should not be mistaken for 60 days in which to make the initial reduced-fee retest application.
What to do immediately after a failed MOT
Read the entire result
Check every defect recorded by the examiner. A vehicle can fail for more than one issue, and concentrating on only the fault you expected can lead to another unsuccessful test.
Prioritise safety-related repairs
Braking, steering, tyres, suspension, structural condition and other safety-critical faults should be repaired correctly before the vehicle returns for inspection.
Check the retest dates
Use the calculator at the top of this page to keep both the application and completion dates visible while repairs are being arranged.
Keep repair evidence
Invoices and repair records are useful for your own maintenance history, particularly when substantial work has been required after a failed test.
Prepare before returning
Once the recorded faults are repaired, work through the normal preparation checks again instead of assuming no other simple problem has developed.
MOT checklist →Compare test centres if necessary
If appointment availability is difficult, compare other DVA vehicle-test locations rather than checking only one centre.
Find MOT centres →Reduced-fee retest versus another full test
A retest fee is not simply a permanent lower price available whenever a vehicle has previously failed. The reduced-fee process depends on meeting the current DVA conditions.
If the relevant application or completion window is missed, a full vehicle test may be required instead. This is why the date of the original failed test matters.
The vehicle class also affects the amount charged. Use the dedicated PureCar fee page for the current common test and retest figures.
PureCar last checked this information against official DVA / NI Direct guidance on 21 September 2026. Availability, fees and DVA rules can change.
View official source →