Book your MOT

Our mechanics perform a series of safety inspections and tests on your vehicle following guidelines from DVSA. When the test is completed you will be given a certificate or refusal document, depending on whether your vehicle passed or failed the MOT. This document will have notes on what to do after the test has been completed. All of these tests are now computerised and you can view your vehicle's MOT history online at any time. We always recommend keeping hold of your MOT certificates for the service history of your vehicle.

Failures do happen. As cars get older, certain parts may start to fail or become worn down. If your MOT does fail then we will explain why in clear and comprehensive detail and discuss with you the most cost-effective way for you of achieving your MOT without compromising your safety. If you would like us to repair your vehicle our professional team will do our best to provide immediate service where appropriate, everything we do is strictly monitored and failure rates must reflect national averages. Were we to carry out unnecessary work we could lose our licence – and you, our customer. So it can't and won't happen. Once you’ve fixed all the necessary repairs on your vehicle that were flagged during your initial MOT test, it should be put through a retest.

Getting your car's MOT test complete is already a task in itself and that's why we want to make the experience as simple and easy for you as possible. We're happy to pick your vehicle up and drop it off for you when your MOT test is completed in our MOT test centre. We’ll also be happy to supply you with a courtesy car if you need it. (This is subject to availability and should be arranged in advance.)

We have facilities to test more than one vehicle at a time and offer numerous slots every day. You can book here online or call us on 01323 643 333 to book a slot at your convenience.

You can book you vehicle in for MOT up to 28 days before the current expiry date on your certificate, which will then preserve the same anniversary date of the MOT, so you do not lose any time remaining on your current MOT. If you have your test carried out a month before the due date, your MOT is effectively valid for 13 months.

For example: if your current certificate expires on 20th March, you can take the test between 21st February and 20th March and the new certificate will be valid until midnight 19th March the following year.

We offer our customers a free text reminder service (no marketing texts are sent and our customer lists are not sold to third parties) to remind you that your MOT is due 30 days before expiry.

You can have an MOT carried out on your vehicle at any time, but if it is taken more than a calendar month before the expiry of your current certificate, the new certificate will be valid for 12 months from the test date.

For example: if your current certificate expires on 20th March and you had the test on 19th February, your new certificate would be valid until 19th February the following year.

If your certificate has become lost or damaged, we can easily provide you with a new one. We only need your vehicle registration number. A fee may be applicable (up to a maximum of £10).

The test takes approximately 45 minutes, however, please allow up to an hour in case any minor repairs are needed. Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your appointment (you can bring your car in any time from opening onwards). You are very welcome to wait in our clean and comfortable customer waiting area whilst your vehicle is tested. We have a selection of current magazines and a hot drinks machine to help to make your visit that bit more comfortable.

Southern Co is conveniently located at the centre of Eastbourne just off Lottbridge Drove close to the large Tesco supermarket. MOT tests take no longer than 60 minutes. While you wait, we have a customer waiting area where you may help yourself to a hot drink in our seated area, log on to Wi-Fi, read the paper or leave your vehicle with us while you pop to Tesco and do your grocery shopping.

Enter your vehicle registration into our booking tool to get an instant price for your service, MOT or repair needed. You then make your booking by requesting a time and date, entering your details and booking. You won't need to pay anything until the day once work has been completed.