How far ahead should you book a full body health check?

A week ahead is the usual answer at our clinic, where about half of full body MOT health checks are booked between one and seven days ahead (51% of 588 appointments). A further 32% were booked more than a week ahead and 17% for the same day, and Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar, our Clinical Lead, suggests a week or two so you can plan the morning. A week is enough time to choose a tier, arrange the morning and gather a few papers, so that is where the countdown below starts.

If you already know the tier, you can book from the Health MOTs page, from £495.

One week out: choose a tier and gather your papers

Start with the tier. The Essential Health MOT is £495, the Advanced Health MOT is £999, Elite is from £1,850 (£2,095 for women) and the Ultimate Health MOT is from £2,950 (£3,350 for women with gynaecology). Essential is available Monday to Friday.

Check the tier on your confirmation, since the fast and the length of the visit both depend on it. Ultimate includes an MRI, so tell the clinic about any implants, a pacemaker, an older aneurysm clip, metal fragments or claustrophobia now rather than on the day. Note any question you want answered at the review, so the doctor knows what to cover.

Write down your regular medicines with doses and keep taking them as usual. If a tablet has to be taken with food, ask the clinic before the morning of your visit. Start collecting previous results, scan reports and clinic letters, which give the doctor something to compare your new results against.

Work out how you will get to 117a Harley Street and how long to allow, especially for Elite and Ultimate. Put the review appointment in your calendar too, because it follows the visit on a later date.

Advanced, Elite and Ultimate need a minimum four-hour fast, with water allowed. Essential needs no fast. The full list by tier is in how to prepare for a health MOT.

Book earlier if you want a specific day

Women's Elite runs on Thursday and Friday specialist days, while men's Elite is available Monday to Friday. If you want a particular day, or you are travelling into London for the visit, booking earlier than a week gives you more days to choose from on the longer tiers.

The day before: a short list

• Medicine list written, plus previous results and letters in one folder.
• Comfortable clothes you can change out of easily.
• Water to take with you for the wait after the fast.
• If a mammogram is part of your booking, skip deodorant, talc and lotion on the breast and underarm.

The day: what the time looks like

The visit is one coordinated booking with the doctor's examination at its centre, and any imaging in your tier is arranged inside it. Essential takes about 45 minutes and Advanced 1 to 1.5 hours. Elite takes 2.5 to 3 hours, and Ultimate 3 to 4 hours including 60 to 90 minutes of MRI, so plan the rest of the day around the longer tiers. How long a full body MOT takes walks through the visit step by step.

After: report, review and the year ahead

Reports for Essential and Advanced usually take a few working days. Elite and Ultimate take longer where specialist reporting and MRI are involved. Every tier then includes an in-person results review with a doctor.

From Advanced upwards, the booking also includes 4 GP appointments over the 12 months after screening. Your immediate family can use them as well, which makes the decision about tier a decision for the household, not only for you.

"Most people book a week or two ahead, so they can plan the morning. If you're on Advanced or above, remember the four GP appointments over the next year. Your immediate family can use them too."

Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar, Clinical Lead, GMC 4694470

Frequently asked questions

Can I book a full body health check for tomorrow?

Some people do, since 17% of our bookings were for the same day. Call the clinic on 020 7183 7056 and the team will tell you what is available for the tier you want.

Ready to choose a date?

Compare the tiers and pick a day on the Health MOTs page, or call The Health Screening Clinic on 020 7183 7056.

Written By

Stephen Lingam

Managing Director

Managing Director of Medical Express Clinic and the Health Screening Clinic since 1984. Over 40 years of operational experience in private healthcare on Harley Street, overseeing patient care, clinical standards, and service delivery.

Medically Reviewed

Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar

MD, PhD, LRCP, MSc, DHMSA

Clinical Lead

GMC: 4694470

Leading our clinical team with a focus on comprehensive men's health and preventative oncology protocols.

Last reviewed: 13/11/2026