Sep 5, 2019
It’s vital that you, as a vehicle owner, know the due date of your vehicle’s next MOT. Not only is it the law for your vehicle to have a valid MOT certificate, but carrying out an MOT test also ensures that your vehicle is safe; reducing danger for your passengers and others on the road.
This post is all you need to know about MOT’s; what’s included in an MOT test, what you should do if you fail, and how to check if your vehicle has a valid MOT certificate.
MOT stands for Ministry of Transport and it’s responsible for making sure that all vehicles on the road are safe to be driven and meet the laws safety standards.
Once your car is three years old (four years in Northern Ireland) then it needs to undergo an MOT test every year after that.
It’s your responsibility, as the vehicle owner to know when you need to book an MOT test, and this needs to be done before your MOT expires. The earliest you can book a renew is one month before it expires.
The expiry date can be found on your MOT certificate.
You can easily check the status of any vehicle by heading over to the GOV.uk website and search for ‘check MOT status’. From here, all you need to do is enter the vehicle’s registration number and it will inform you the MOT status of the vehicle and the date when your next MOT is due.
Since May 2018 the way an MOT works in England, Scotland and Wales have changed:
An MOT involves dozens of tests on your car ranging from seatbelts, lights, exhaust systems etc. These tests are carried out to ensure that your car is meeting the safety standards which are the law.
Your car can fail an MOT for a number of different reasons; it could be something small that you forgot to do (e.g. screen wash not topped up or a messy car) or something serious a lot more serious that is putting yourself and others in danger.
If your car fails, then you will be handed a VT30 Certificate from the test centre, clearing illustrating the reasons your car has failed.
If you have a defect that is categorised as dangerous, then you won’t be able to drive it away. If this happens then you will need to get a quote from our website and get the cheapest deal for you. The MOT test should tow your vehicle to the garage.
If you have a defect that is categorised as major, then you might be able to drive your vehicle home if it’s still roadworthy and your previous MOT hasn't expired.
If your MOT has run out but your vehicle is roadworthy then you are able to drive it to get your repairs and to a pre-booked MOT test.
If your vehicle failed, you need to fix all the major and dangerous defaults with your vehicle. Once your vehicle is safe and roadworthy then you can book a partial MOT retest which your vehicle must pass before you are able to drive it on the road.
If you have lost your MOT certificate, then you will need to replace it, however, this can be easily done.
You can go to the GOV.uk website, put in the vehicle’s registration number and 11 digit reference number. From this, you can view, print and save an MOT certificate issued after May 2018.
Or, you can go to any MOT test centre, and provide them with your registration number and reference number. The MOT test centre doesn’t need to be the one where your last test was. This usually costs around £10.
If your MOT has expired, then it’s illegal for anyone to drive that vehicle on the road. If you do, then you could be prosecuted for it: you could be fined £2,500, ve banned from driving and get three points put on your licence!
You need to book an MOT test by contacting an MOT centre.
The cost of an MOT varies from vehicle to vehicle, however, after conducting some research from our database, the average MOT costs around £30.
If you’re based in mainland UK, MyCarNeedsA.com can provide you with a number of quotes from approved MOT test providers near you. All you need to do is provide us with some details and we will do the rest for you!
In Northern Ireland; keep yourself and others safe on the road and get a quote to get your vehicle prepared for its MOT today. We will find the best price for you. Once you’ve had the work done, simply book your MoT test at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/book-motvehicle-test-online.
