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Why Public Liability Insurance Is Crucial for Car Forecourt Traders
As a car forecourt trader, youโre not just selling vehicles; youโre inviting potential buyers onto your premises, where they interact with yourโฆ
MOT station insurance is a motor trade policy for garages and test centres carrying out DVSA MOT tests. It can be road risk only, if you move or road test customer cars, or a combined policy that also protects customer vehicles in your testing bays, your premises and specialist test equipment, and covers public, products and employersโ liability.
A car damaged on your brake rollers or lift is your responsibility, make sure customer vehicles in your care are covered.
Your MOT station insurance depends on:

MOT centres we insure
MOT centres we insure
Class 4 and Class 7 test centres, MOT and repair garages and multi-bay sites are all rated differently, so tell us which you run.
Class 4 and Class 7 test centres, MOT and repair garages and multi-bay sites are all rated differently, so tell us which you run.
Class 4 Test Centres
Testing cars, small vans and light passenger vehicles.
Class 7 Test Centres
Testing goods vehicles over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg.
MOT & Repair Garages
Garages combining MOT testing with servicing and repairs.
Multi-Bay Test Centres
Larger centres with several bays, testers and vehicles on site.
What could go wrong at your MOT centre?
What could go wrong at your MOT centre?
The most common MOT centre claims involve damage to customer cars during testing, injuries to customers or staff, equipment breakdowns, faulty repairs and fires that stop you trading.
The most common MOT centre claims involve damage to customer cars during testing, injuries to customers or staff, equipment breakdowns, faulty repairs and fires that stop you trading.

Which covers does an MOT station need?
Which covers does an MOT station need?
Road risk is a legal requirement if you drive customer cars, and employersโ liability is often a legal requirement if you have staff. The rest protect against the claims MOT centres face most.
Road risk is a legal requirement if you drive customer cars, and employersโ liability is often a legal requirement if you have staff. The rest protect against the claims MOT centres face most.
| Type of cover | Legally required? | Why MOT centres need it |
|---|---|---|
Employersโ liability | Often, if you employ staff | Testers, technicians and reception staff |
Road risk | Yes, to drive customer cars | Moving and road testing vehicles |
Customer vehicles in your care | Not legally required | Damage during tests or while parked |
Public liability | Not legally required | Customers and visitors on site |
Products liability | Not legally required | Repairs and parts fitted after a fail |
Test equipment | Not legally required | Brake testers, emissions kit and lifts |
Premises and contents | May be required by your lease | Fire, flood and theft at your centre |
Business interruption | No | Lost income if you canโt test |
Top Tip
Keep records of lift inspections and equipment servicing and calibration. Insurers may ask for them after a claim, and DVSA expects test equipment to be properly maintained.
Build your MOT station policy
Build your MOT station policy
Choose the covers your test centre needs, from road risk only to a combined policy with liability, customer vehicle and equipment cover.
Choose the covers your test centre needs, from road risk only to a combined policy with liability, customer vehicle and equipment cover.
Customer Vehicles
Protects cars in your care against damage or theft while theyโre being tested or waiting.
Employersโ Liability
Often a legal requirement if you employ testers, technicians or reception staff.
Public & Products Liability
Covers injury claims from customers and claims linked to repairs or parts fitted.
Test Equipment
Cover for brake testers, emissions equipment, headlamp aligners and lifts.
Business Interruption
Helps replace lost income if a fire or flood stops you testing.
Road Risk
Covers you to move and drive customer vehicles on public roads.
MOT station insurance has no fixed price. It depends on the test classes and services you offer, your level of cover, the number of bays and staff, the value of your test equipment, your excess and your claims history.
Your postcode
Where you trade matters. Postcode is one of the biggest rating factors on a motor trade policy, and it affects more than the price. It can decide whether an insurer will quote at all.
Equipment value
Brake rollers, emissions analysers and lifts are expensive to replace and affect your sums insured.
Level of cover
Insurers look at whether you choose road risk only or a combined policy with premises, equipment and liability.
Level of excess
Your excess is what you pay towards each claim, so choose a level you could manage.
Number of bays
More bays, testers and customer cars on site mean more exposure to claims.
Claims history
Insurers will ask about any claims you have made.

Our motor trade advisers understand how MOT centres work, from DVSA-approved testing bays to repair workshops, and compare specialist insurers for you.
Why MOT centres choose us:
How to insure your MOT station
How to insure your MOT station
Tell us about your test centre, bays and equipment, and weโll compare specialist motor trade insurers for you.
Tell us about your test centre, bays and equipment, and weโll compare specialist motor trade insurers for you.
Tell us about your MOT centre
Test classes, repairs and how many bays you run.
Confirm values and staff
Test equipment values, customer cars on site and employees.
We compare insurers
We search specialist motor trade insurers for MOT station cover.
Get covered and testing
Choose your policy and receive your documents quickly.
Trusted by MOT centres and garages across the UK
Trusted by MOT centres and garages across the UK
From single-bay Class 4 testers to busy multi-bay centres, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to get the right cover and expert support when it matters.
From single-bay Class 4 testers to busy multi-bay centres, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to get the right cover and expert support when it matters.
MOT centre guides
MOT centre guides
Practical advice on insurance, equipment and claims for MOT testing stations.
Practical advice on insurance, equipment and claims for MOT testing stations.
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MOT station insurance FAQs
MOT station insurance FAQs
Straight answers for MOT test centres on cover, cost and liability.
Straight answers for MOT test centres on cover, cost and liability.
MOT station insurance is a motor trade policy for garages and test centres carrying out MOT tests. It can be road risk only, if you drive customer cars, or a combined policy that also covers customer vehicles in your care, test equipment, premises and liability.