Nov 18, 2020
Once your car reaches three years old, it’s a legal requirement that it is tested to check it meets the road safety and environmental standards. The Ministry of Transport test is more commonly known as an ‘MOT’ test, these tests are carried out at over 21,000 authorised test centres around the country, all of which will display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles.
MOT’s will check everything on your car ranging from your brakes and engine, to lights and seatbelts. Without a valid MOT certificate, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
How to check your car’s MOT in Wales?
Drivers from across the UK are able to check the past results of a vehicle’s MOT test on the gov.uk site. Here, you will be able to access information on whether or not your car has passed or failed, where previous tests have been carried out and what parts had previously failed/parts that had problems and when the next test will be due.
When to book an MOT in Wales?
It’s a legal requirement to have a valid MOT certificate from the date of the third anniversary of your car’s registration, or on the anniversary of the last MOT test if your car is over three years old.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact how MOT tests are carried out and how this will affect you will depend on when your MOT is due to expire.
Only centres that display the official blue sign with 3 white triangles are authorised to carry out valid MOT tests. The certificate lasts for a year, and you must book your test up to a month, minus a day, before your current certificate is due to expire if you wish to keep the same renewal date. Let’s take this as an example, if your test is due to run out on the 16th November, the earliest you can book to keep the same renewal date for next year is the 17th September.
Should your circumstances prevent you from testing your car within this period, you can have an MOT test booked earlier, but this will affect your renewal date for the following year, it will change to one year, minus a day, from the date the vehicle last passed the test. Let’s take this as an example, if your MOT is due the 16th November, the earliest you can book a test is 17th September, but if you were to book a test for the 11th November and it passes, your MOT expiry date will change to the 10th November.
What happens if my MOT test runs out?
Should you forget about your MOT test or are unable to book a test in time, there’s a £1000 fine for driving your car on the road without a valid MOT certificate. The only exemption for driving without a valid MOT is taking your car to a garage or test centre for a pre-booked appointment. If you don’t have a valid MOT, you can’t legally park your car on the road.
How to find local MOT centres in Wales?
You need to ensure your car receives an MOT test from an accredited garage and by using MyCarNeedsA.com, we can help find the most suitable MOT centre. Our trusted suppliers will provide a number of quotes based on your requirements, allowing you to book a test based on convenience, service, cost or whatever is most important to you. Get your quotes!
