When is my MOT due?
Do you know when your MOT is due? Find out how long your MOT certificate is valid for, how to check it's due date, and whether you can drive without a valid MOT.
Key takeaways
You can enter your vehicle registration number into the GOV.uk vehicle enquiry service to check when your MOT expires and when your road tax is due
Annual MOT tests are required once your car is 3-years-old
Classic cars (over 40-years-old without modifications) and cars officially off the road (SORN) are exempt from needing a MOT
You could be fined £1,000 or more if you’re caught driving without an MOT
What is a MOT?
An MOT, or Ministry of Transport test, is an annual inspection that ensures a vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. It's a legal requirement for most UK-registered vehicles more than 3-years-old.
When is my car MOT due?
Your car will need its first MOT before it reaches the third year anniversary of registration.
Cars older than 3-years-old need a MOT once a year.
How do I check when my MOT is due?
You can check when your MOT due by checking your current MOT certificate to see when it runs out.
If you don’t have your MOT certificate to hand, you can use the vehicle enquiry service on the GOV.UK website. If you enter your vehicle registration number you can find out when both your MOT and VED (road tax) are due. You can also see various information about your car.
Through the GOV.UK website you will also have access to a range of DVLA and DVSA services. You can:
Register your vehicle as
Get a duplicate or replacement log book (V5C)
Update the main address of your vehicle
Update the information of a vehicle you've sold or bought
How up to date is the MOT expiry date information?
It can take up to five days for the DVLA to update the data on the MOT database. If it’s been longer than five days since you had your MOT and it’s still not updated, you should contact the DVSA.
Can I get a reminder for when my MOT is due?
You can sign up for an MOT reminder service on the GOV.UK website.
When you sign up you’ll get a reminder one month before your car, van or motorcycle MOT is due, and two months before your lorry, bus or large trailer MOT is due.
How long is an MOT certificate valid for?
An MOT certificate is valid for 12 months, starting from the date of your last MOT test. However, you don't have to wait for your MOT to expire before you renew it.
You can renew your MOT up to a month before it expires (minus one day) without changing your renewal date. Renewing your MOT any earlier than that will change your renewal date.
Do I need an MOT?
Yes, you normally need a MOT to legally drive your car.
The main exception to this is that new cars don’t need a MOT until they are 3-years-old. After that you’ll need to get an MOT once every year.
It’s a good idea to get your MOT before your old one runs out, though – that way, if your car needs repairs, you can still drive it until your certificate expires.
You can get your car retested up to a month before its MOT expires, and still keep your renewal date. So if your MOT expires in September and you get your car checked in August, you still won’t need to check it again until the following September.
Is my car exempt from MOT?
Your car may be exempt from MOT in certain circumstances.
Firstly, if your car was registered in the past three years, it won’t need a MOT.
Some older cars are exempt too. Classic cars are exempt from MOTs, as long as they meet the government’s definition – that’s any car more than 40-years-old, and which hasn’t had any modifications in the past 30 years.
If you have a SORN for your car, it won’t need an MOT if it's not being driven. However, you'll need a valid MOT to drive the car again.
How early can I get an MOT?
You can get a MOT done up to a month (minus one day) before your last certificate expires, while still retaining the same renewal date.
What happens if I drive without an MOT?
If you are caught driving without a valid MOT, you could be issued with a fine of up to £1,000.
If your car was deemed ‘dangerous’ at its last MOT test, you may be fined up to £2,500 and also receive penalty points on your driving licence. You might also be banned from driving.
The only legal reason you can drive a non-exempt car without an MOT is if you’re driving to an approved MOT centre for a pre-booked appointment.
If you forget to renew your MOT, your next step should be to book one as soon as possible at an approved MOT test centre. You are still legally allowed to drive your car straight to your test but there are garages that will pick up and return your car for you.
Can I park my car on the road if it doesn’t have an MOT?
No, you can’t park your car on the road if it doesn't have a valid MOT certificate.
If you park on the road you could be fined and have your vehicle seized.
Do I need an MOT if my car is kept on private land?
No, you don’t need an MOT if your car is kept on private land, as long as you have declared it as SORN with the DVLA.
Is my car insurance valid without an MOT?
No, your car insurance won’t usually be valid without a MOT.
This is because most car insurers will specify in the conditions of your policy that your car needs an MOT. This means you won’t be covered if you need to claim on your car insurance.
Compare car insurance quotes
Car insurance, like MOTs and road tax, is a legal requirement to drive on UK roads – and finding cheaper cover is easier when you compare quotes with MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us about yourself, your driving history and the vehicle you want to insure, and we’ll search the markets for deals that match your needs.
You’ll be able to compare quotes by the cost, the overall cover you get, and the excess you’ll need to pay to make a claim. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase and you’ll be ready to hit the road.
