How Long Does a Full Body MOT Take?

Allow 45 minutes for the Essential Health MOT, 1 to 1.5 hours for Advanced, 2.5 to 3 hours for Elite, and 3 to 4 hours for Ultimate, which includes 60 minutes of MRI. Your written report and review appointment follow on a later day, once the laboratory and any imaging have been reported.

Time by tier

The time you need to block out scales with what the tier adds, from a 45-minute baseline to a half-day visit that includes an hour in the scanner. All four tiers are one coordinated appointment; the report and review happen afterwards, not on the day.

What happens on the day, step by step

Every tier follows the same shape: a check-in, a doctor's assessment, a blood draw, then whatever extras the tier includes, before you finish and leave. What changes between tiers is how many steps sit in the middle, not the order of the core visit. For the full list of what each tier covers, see what a full body MOT includes.

You arrive, check in, and go through your history with the doctor, including current medicines, family history and the question you want answered. A physical examination and measurements follow: body composition, an ECG and oxygen saturation on every tier. The blood draw typically comes next, covering the panel for your tier, from the core metabolic bloods on Essential through to the expanded thyroid and hormone work on Advanced and above.

From Advanced upwards, the visit typically also includes a chest X-ray and spirometry, and a DEXA scan where the assessment indicates one. Elite adds ultrasound and, for women, a consultant gynaecology examination and smear, usually on the Thursday or Friday specialist day. Ultimate replaces the chest X-ray and DEXA with a 60-minute MRI protocol at the Harley Street imaging partner, covering the brain, intracranial and carotid MRA, whole spine and torso. The visit finishes once the doctor has covered everything on your tier's list; there is no separate results appointment on the same day.

Why the higher tiers take longer

Advanced adds imaging (chest X-ray), lung function testing, a VO2 max assessment and a wider hormone and thyroid panel on top of the Essential baseline, which is why it needs 1 to 1.5 hours rather than 45 minutes. Elite adds ultrasound and, for women, a gynaecology consultation and smear, which is why it typically needs 2.5 to 3 hours and runs on the Thursday and Friday specialist days for women. Ultimate needs the longest visit because it includes a full 60 minutes of MRI on top of the same clinic assessment and bloods as Elite, taking the total to 3 to 4 hours.

When results and the review happen

Do not expect same-day results. Essential and Advanced reports typically take a few working days; Elite and Ultimate take longer where specialist reporting and MRI are involved. The review is a face-to-face appointment where a doctor goes through the written report with you, so leave it as a separate date in your diary rather than assuming it happens straight after your visit.

Planning your day

Check which tier you booked before you plan your morning, because the fast and the time differ. Essential needs no fast unless your booking confirmation says otherwise. Advanced, Elite and Ultimate all need a minimum four-hour fast, with water still fine to drink. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in for the examination, and clothes that are easy to change out of if your tier includes ultrasound, a smear or a mammogram.

Bring a medication list with doses, and any previous blood results, scans or clinic letters, so the doctor has a baseline to read your results against rather than a first picture on its own. The clinic is at 117a Harley Street, London W1G 6AT, close to Regent's Park and Great Portland Street underground stations, so allow time to travel and park if you are driving. For Ultimate, tell the clinic before the day about any implants, a pacemaker, an older aneurysm clip, metal fragments or claustrophobia, since these are MRI safety questions, not something to raise once you are on the table. For the full preparation list by tier, see how to prepare for a Health MOT.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go back to work after my MOT?

Allow the full time for your tier before planning anything else, and if you have fasted, have something to eat before heading back. If anything in your visit means you should take it easy afterwards, the doctor will tell you before you leave.

Is everything done in one visit?

Yes. The examination, bloods and any imaging or specialist elements included in your tier happen in one coordinated booking. The written report and the review appointment follow afterwards, once everything has been reported.

Do I get results on the day?

No. Essential and Advanced reports typically take a few working days; Elite and Ultimate take longer where specialist reporting and MRI are involved. The review appointment is when the doctor goes through the report with you.

Can I eat after the blood test?

The fast is for the blood tests. If your tier includes further steps later in the visit, such as an ultrasound, ask the team on the day whether to wait until those are done before you eat.

Why do women's Elite appointments run on Thursdays and Fridays?

Women's Elite includes a consultant gynaecology consultation and examination, which the clinic schedules on its Thursday and Friday specialist days. Men's Elite does not include this and runs Monday to Friday.

How long is the MRI?

The Ultimate MRI protocol takes 60 minutes, covering the brain, intracranial and carotid MRA, whole spine and torso, at the Harley Street imaging partner. It is part of the 3 to 4 hours you should allow for the full Ultimate visit.

If you know which tier fits, you can compare the full body MOT tiers and book online, or read what the Essential Health MOT, Advanced Health MOT and Ultimate MOT with MRI each include. If you would rather book through our sister clinic, there is also a doctor-led MOT at Medical Express Clinic.

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: 01/10/2026