Drivers can secure MOT test for just £4.99 in massive £50 saving

Road users can save up to £50 on their annual MOT test by taking advantage of a major discount.

By Luke Chillingsworth, Cars Reporter

12:57, Thu, Jan 2, 2025 | UPDATED: 12:58, Thu, Jan 2, 2025

Motorists can save up to £50 on their annual MOT test with assessments available for just £4.99 at major high-street chains. 

Drivers can secure a DVSA MOT test at the discount rate at Halfords if road users sign up for the Premium Motor Club membership.

car mot test © Getty

For a simple £4.99 fee, motorists can secure a whole range of benefits including discounts on Halford's products and services.

However, the biggest benefit could be the inclusion of a free MOT available as part of every £49 annual or £4.99 monthly package.

MOT tests are mandatory yearly inspections with mechanics checking whether vehicles are still safe to travel on UK roads. The maximum price for an MOT test in the UK is restricted to £54.85 but actual costs are usually between £45 and £55.

mot test certificate© Getty

Halfords explained: "As a Premium member, you'll be entitled to 5% off member pricing - an always-on, unlimited discount on all our motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages, and Halfords Mobile Experts.

"These member prices guarantee you a great deal every time.

"You'll also receive a free MOT worth up to £54 at your local Halfords garage, carried out by one of our trained testers. With over 600 locations to choose from, you can find the best option for you - for free!"

The free MOT test renews every 12 months meaning motorists can take advantage of the discount as long as they are a member.

To access the discount, Premium Club customers will simply have to book an MOT test online with the savings automatically applied at the checkout.

Last year, Halfords confirmed that a whopping 2.5 million motorists were signed up to their Premium Motor Club scheme.

A spokesperson for Halfords previously told Express.co.uk: "We take great pride in the success of our Halfords Motoring Club, specifically designed to cater to the needs of motorists.

"Through this initiative, we've played a significant role in helping drivers to ensure their journeys are safe and uninterrupted.

"By offering cost-effective car servicing and maintenance alternatives, we're supporting motorists across the UK.

"Our Premium Motoring Club membership is tailored to provide a comprehensive range of benefits, collectively valued at over £100.

"Starting with a generous £10 welcome voucher, a complimentary MOT, and an ongoing 5% unlimited discount on a wide range of our products and services.

"We're committed to help keep the nation motoring for less."

Drivers can secure MOT test for just £4.99 in massive £50 saving | Express.co.uk

The £22billion the UK could have had to fork out in 2025 had Brexit not happened

 

Thanks to Brexit, the UK taxpayer will not be subsidising the rest of the EU for another year, a thinktank says.

By Jon King, News Reporter

13:38, Thu, Jan 2, 2025 | UPDATED: 13:42, Thu, Jan 2, 2025

The 11-figure sum the UK could have had to fork out in 2025 without Brexit | UK | News | Express.co.uk

The UK would have paid more than £22billion into the European Union's budget this year had Brexit never happened, an analysis shows.

Britons would have paid £22bn into the EU budget, analysis shows (Image: Getty)

Think tank, Facts4EU, estimates the UK used to account for 13.5% of the bloc's budget, which today means Britons would have been on the hook to hand over £22.3bn in 2025 alone.

It argues figures cited by the Treasury used to put Britain's contribution at 12.5%, but in practice the amount "was always more".

Facts4EU says this is because "off budget" funds Britain used to pay into, while most EU countries didn't, were not factored into the calculations of the UK's contribution.

The EU's general budget for 2025 amounts to £165.5bn (€199.4bn), with billions to be spent on defence, the single market, red tape, the bloc's borders and the environment.

It is almost five years since the UK exited the EU (Image: Getty)

Britain no longer makes regular payments towards the EU budget, although there are ongoing commitments the UK has to make due to the terms of the Brexit deal.

The UK can still pay towards involvement in EU schemes, such as Horizon Europe, but these don't form part of the bloc's standard budget.

In a statement posted on its website, Facts4EU said: "As we enter another new year, it is once again a year in which the UK taxpayer will not be subsidising the rest of the EU - thanks to Brexit."

It added that 68% of the EU budget will go towards "perpetuating the myth of the EU as a success" as well as the bloc's "ideologically-driven Net Zero and Green agenda".

The budget comes as Europe's economy faces multiple challenges in 2025, with tepid growth and lagging economic competitiveness compared to the US and China.

A French and German axis pushing Europe forward has also been weakened by the collapse of both countries' governments in recent weeks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is equipped with serious powers. Still, there is only so much she can do without political backing from the two biggest member countries, whose national budgets are bigger than the EU's.

Arguably, the most urgent matter is how Brussels responds to US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20.

European officials are trying to defuse a potential trade conflict over new US tariffs or import taxes on European goods, which would seriously affect the continent’s export-oriented economy.

Meanwhile, the EU Commission estimates as much as £414.7bn (€500bn) will be needed over the next decade to help meet the bloc’s security needs.

The 11-figure sum the UK could have had to fork out in 2025 without Brexit | UK | News | Express.co.uk