Car MOT testing

If a vehicle is registered with no prior use on the road, the MOT will be required three years after the date of registration. For example, a vehicle registered ‘from new’ on 1 April 2011 will require its MOT no later than 1 April 2014.
If a vehicle is used prior to registration, as would be the case with an import, the MOT will be required three years from the end of the year of manufacture. For example a vehicle manufactured at any time in 2011 will require an MOT no later than 31 December 2014. There is no grace period given after these dates.

Driving without a valid MOT is an illegal offence and can carry some serious penalties. However if your MOT has expired you are permitted to drive your vehicle as long as it is to a pre-arranged MOT appointment. Book your MOT appointment quickly and easily through us.
If you are caught driving without a valid MOT certificate you could be fined up to £1000. Without a valid MOT your motor insurance will also be void which could incur further penalties including, 6-8 points on your license and even a discretionary disqualification.

1. If the vehicle has failed the MOT and is left at the Testing Station for repair and re-test and does not leave the Testing Station, then the re-test is free.
2. If the vehicle fails because of one or more items on the list of specific items within the link below, provided the vehicle is returned for re-test by the end of the next working day, then no fee applies.

Assuming your vehicle is more than three years old, you are legally required to have a valid Ministry of Transport test certificate and this must be renewed each year. It is the responsibility of individual drivers to ensure that their vehicle is assessed every 12 months, and without a valid, up-to-date certificate, you will be unable to lawfully drive your car on public roads, or renew your road tax.
If your vehicle passes, you will be allocated a VT20 ‘pass’ certificate and it will be eligible for use on UK roads for 12 months. If the vehicle fails, a VT30 ‘failure’ certificate will be issued and the vehicle will not be eligible for use until repairs are made and a test is passed. Driving without a valid VT20 ‘pass’ certificate may result in a significant fine.
Moreover, the nominated tester may provide you with a list of ‘advisory’ items on your car, even if it passes. Essentially, these are parts of the vehicle which caused concern and may require attention in the near future.

You can’t. You can only drive your car to and from the MOT station providing that you still have current road tax and insurance in place.

A Dangerous or a Major fail, are both classed as a fail. Major fails you should repair your vehicle immediately, for Dangerous fails you are not permitted to drive your car again until it has been repaired.