MOTs

MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:
  • the third anniversary of its registration
  • the anniversary of its last MOT, if it’s over 3 years old.

£54

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is printed on the last pass certificate. You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.

Example: If your MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest you can get an MOT to keep the same renewal date for next year is 16 April. You can get an MOT earlier, but the MOT renewal date for the following year will be different.

You can’t drive your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out.

Your vehicle can either pass or fail the MOT. If it fails, you’ll get a list of things that need to be fixed.

If your vehicle passes the MOT

  • You'll get an MOT certificate from the test centre
  • It will be recorded in the MOT database

Free MOT reminder

Whilst our own MOT text reminder service is no longer available, you can still get FREE text message or email reminders of when your MOT Is due by signing up here: https://www.gov.uk/mot-reminder

Failing the MOT

If your vehicle fails the MOT:

Driving a vehicle that's failed

You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid. If your MOT has run out you can take your vehicle to:
  • have the failed defects fixed
  • a pre-arranged MOT test appointment
In both cases, your vehicle still needs to meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times or you can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in an unsafe condition.