Whether you’ve recently come into ownership of an electric vehicle or you’re just thinking about getting one, it can be difficult to know what’s what when looking after an electric car. Some aspects are just the same as they are for petrol or diesel vehicles, whereas others are vastly different – and it pays to know which is which.
One question which may be on your mind is whether or not electric cars need to get an MOT. For fuel cars, MOTs are a legally required annual check-up, but what about electric cars?
Do electric cars need an MOT?
Simply put, yes. While electric cars may work slightly differently to fuel cars, they all travel on the same roads, and therefore it’s important to get an MOT to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy. After all, the fuel transmission system is only a small part of the MOT as a whole, and many features on an electric car will be similar if not identical to those on a fuel car.
The only vehicles that are exempt from the usual MOT rules are:
- Most cars that are less than three years old
- Some classic cars which have been registered as a ‘vehicle of historic interest’
- Tractors
- Electric goods vehicles registered before 1st March 2015 (e.g. milk floats, delivery vans)
- Some taxis and private hire vehicles
However, being exempt from the usual MOT rules doesn’t mean you can ignore safety concerns. Regardless of your vehicle’s exemption status, it’s up to you to keep it in good working condition to ensure the safety of you, your passengers and other road users.
Is an MOT different on an electric Car?
Naturally, there are some minor differences between an MOT performed on a fuel vehicle and one performed on an electric vehicle. While the actual items checked on the MOT may differ, this shouldn’t affect the price of the MOT as a whole.
One of the biggest differences between an electric MOT and a fuel MOT is the emissions test. This is where your vehicle’s exhaust system is checked to find out what and how much it’s emitting into the atmosphere. If your vehicle’s emissions are too high – sometimes caused by an engine fault or poor quality fuel – you’ll fail the MOT and have to get it fixed before you can get a new MOT certificate.
However, electric cars aren’t subjected to emissions testing due to the simple fact that they have no exhaust system. Other vehicles which are exempt from emissions testing include:
- Hybrid vehicles
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
- Vehicles with two-stroke engines
- Vehicles with three or fewer wheels
- Quadricycles
There are also things that will be checked on an electric MOT that wouldn’t be checked on a fuel car. For example, an electric MOT will assess the safety and operation of your vehicle’s charging port to ensure there’s no risk of leaks or electrical faults. In fuel vehicles, this check would be replaced by an assessment of the fuel cap and cover to ensure that it is in good
working order.
Additionally, the health of the battery on your electric vehicle will also be checked. This is to ensure that it charges properly, holds the charge for a reasonable period of time, and doesn’t have any damage or decay that needs addressing. As it’s the main source of power for your vehicle, it’s imperative that the battery is in good working order.
How often do you need to MOT electric cars?
Regardless of the vehicle involved, an MOT certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the test. Whether you have an electric vehicle or a fuel car, the rules on when your MOT is due are the same, meaning you could face a fine if you don’t get your car’s MOT on time. This also applies to the three year ‘honeymoon period’ for new cars – but don’t forget to book an MOT at the end of those three years.
To help you remember to book your MOT on time, why not use our MOT due date checker? You can find out exactly when the deadline is for your next MOT, and enter your email address to receive reminders and discounts closer to the time as well as exclusive offers throughout the year.
Do all MOT stations do MOTs on electric cars?
You might think that electric car MOTs are complex but, as we’ve explained, they’re not much different from a fuel car MOT. For this reason, you don’t have to go to any specialist mechanic. An electric vehicle MOT can be done at any garage that offers MOTs, including any of our branches across England and Wales. In some cases, if your mechanic isn’t familiar with your model of car, they may ask you to demonstrate certain aspects relevant to the test, such as operating the bonnet-opening mechanism.
Beyond that, there is nothing else you need to bring to an electric vehicle’s MOT that you don’t for a fuel car. It is advisable to make sure your car’s battery is fully charged before the test. So long as that is done, your electric car’s MOT should run smoothly, and you’ll soon have the results.