MOT Testing
Every vehicle in the UK needs to be tested each year to ensure that it complies with at least the minimum road safety and environmental standards. If you have a vehicle that is more than three years old, it will need an MOT test.

About the MOT

The first test is required once a vehicle is three years old. There are different rules if you use it as a taxi. When your vehicle is tested, the MOT looks at some important items to see if it meets the legal requirements. You should be aware that the MOT certificate is not a guarantee of the general mechanical condition of a vehicle.

When your vehicle needs 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 2006 will require its MOT no later than 1 April 2009.

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 2004 will require an MOT no later than 31 December 2007. There is no grace period given after these dates.

An MOT can be carried out at any time

If the vehicle is tested within the calendar month prior to when the MOT is due, the test certificate will run from the date of the test to one year after the expiry date of the current certificate. For example, if the current certificate was due to expire on 1 April 2009, and the vehicle was presented on or after 2 March 2009, the certificate would run from the test date until 1 April 2010.

The same rule would also apply when the vehicle is taken in within a calendar month of its first MOT. In this case, the vehicle owner would need to present their registration document.

If the vehicle is tested earlier than one month before its due date, the MOT will only run for twelve months.

(Provided by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA))

The Certificate

Records of MOT test results are now held on a secure central database to which all MOT testing stations are connected. When your vehicle is tested at one of these ‘computerised’ testing stations your test record will be entered onto this new database and you will receive a new style (A4 in size) certificate.

The new MOT certificate is your receipt and shows the information that is held on the MOT database. The certificate is no longer proof of an MOT and should not be relied on as such.

Only the computer record can prove a vehicle has a valid MOT. Under the new system any recommended advisory work will normally be shown on a new Advisory Notice which will be given to you at the time of the test.

Checking your MOT certificate

Since the MOT system was computerised it has been possible to check online the MOT status of a vehicle in which you have a legitimate interest e.g. you are the owner, registered keeper or are considering buying the vehicle.

To check the MOT status of a vehicle visit the MOT Computerisation website operated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Validity and renewal

The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, except when a vehicle is taken for test in the month before the expiry date of its current certificate. In this case, if it passes the test, and if the current certificate is produced, the new certificate will be dated 12 months from the expiry date of the current certificate.

Exemptions

A valid MOT certificate is not required if the vehicle is being taken by prior appointment to or from a test.

Penalty

Using a vehicle without a test certificate being in force carries a maximum fine of £1,000
If the vehicle is adapted to carry more than eight passengers the maximum fine increases to £2,500
Failing to produce a test certificate to a police officer also carries a fine of up to £1,000
Conviction for any of these offences will not result in penalty points being placed on a driving licence.
If for any reason your car should fail it’s MOT test then we will re-test it for you ABSOLUTELY FREE!