The MOT (Ministry of Transport) is an annual test of vehicle safety and road worthiness required in the UK. An MOT test checks that your vehicle meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards.

MOT tests are due annually. Vehicles exempt from MOT are those less than 3 years old. Once your vehicle reaches it’s third anniversary of registration, it is then a legal requirement to have annual MOT’s. All vehicle owners should have their MOT tests done by the anniversary of it’s previous MOT. There are certain vehicles that need to be tested at one year old, such as Ambulances, Taxis, or Private Passenger Vehicles with more than 8 seats.

It is illegal to drive your vehicle on the road without a valid MOT test certificate. If caught, you can be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000. The only exceptions for driving without a valid MOT certificate, are if you are driving to or from somewhere for the vehicle to be repaired, or if you are travelling to a pre-arranged MOT test.

You can get an MOT up to one month minus a day before the official MOT date, however your renewal date will remain the same. Your MOT lasts for a year and must be renewed annually. The date it runs out is printed on the last pass certificate, and you are not authorised to drive your vehicle without a valid MOT certificate past the date your MOT is due.

Various parts of your vehicle will be checked by an authorised technician, to ensure that they meet the legal standards within the UK. You are welcome to watch the test from a safe viewing area, but you are not allowed to interrupt the tester. Several important parts of your vehicle relating to safety and emissions will be tested, however the test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. You can find out more information here: gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals

The MOT test centre will issue a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate document’, which will be recorded in the MOT database. You will be provided with details of the why the car has failed the MOT, and you’ll be offered the opportunity to have the repairs made. Once you agree, our team of technicians will work to fix the issues, and will test the vehicle again until you pass, and get a valid MOT certificate that can be recorded in the MOT database. If your vehicle fails, you are unable to drive your vehicle, unless you wish to drive it to another repair centre.