Getting an MOT is a well-known part of keeping your vehicle road-worthy, but it’s easy to forget the finer details you need to be aware of. Here, we’ve laid out this easy to understand guide to the timing of your vehicle’s MOT so you can be sure to get yours done on time.
How long does an MOT last?
Once your car has passed its MOT, the certificate you receive is valid for one year from the date of the test. For example, if your MOT is passed on the 1st of May, you’ll have until the 1st of May the following year to have your next MOT test. Note that the expiry date is the last day you can have your MOT done before the certificate expires. This means you can have your MOT renewed at any point on the day of the expiry date, but any vehicle that hasn’t had an MOT by the day after the expiry date will be considered unroadworthy.
However, there are some cases where you don’t need to renew your MOT every year. Cars which are considered ‘classic’ and have been declared a ‘vehicle of historical interest’ usually don’t need an MOT. However, there are some exemptions to this rule, so it’s important to do your research.
Additionally, new cars will not need an MOT until they are three years old – that is, until three years have passed since the date of the car’s registration. For example, the MOT due date of a car that was registered on the 1st of May 2022 will be the 1st of May 2025.
How early can you MOT a car?
So, your MOT expiry date is coming up, but you’re not sure when to book the test. How early is too early? Well, technically it’s never too early – you can book an MOT for any time of the year regardless of the expiry date, so long as you have your next test before your current certificate expires.
Doing so will usually mean your MOT expiry date will change to reflect the date you had your most recent test, so you won’t keep the same expiry date you had before. It’s also worth noting that your old certificate will no longer be valid, even if you haven’t reached the expiry date. If your car passes the MOT, you’ll be given a new certificate valid for 12 months from the date of the test. If your car fails its MOT at any time, it won’t be classed as roadworthy, even if your old certificate still had time left. You won’t be able to drive your car (except to be repaired or to have a subsequent MOT where these have been booked in advance) until a new, valid MOT certificate is obtained. For this reason, some people book in services before their MOT expires so they can be more confident about the likelihood of their vehicle passing.
So what happens if you want to keep the same expiry date you had last time to help you remember? Well, there’s good news. As long as your next test is booked up to a month minus one day before the expiry date, you can keep that date for the next year. For example, if your last test was carried out on the 1st of May, you could book your next test for anytime between the 2nd of April and the 1st of May the following year and keep the 1st of May expiry date.
When does my MOT expire?
If you’re not sure when your next MOT is due, there are several ways you can check this. Firstly, you can check your last MOT certificate, i.e. the one you were awarded after your car last passed its MOT. This will state the expiry date clearly.
Unfortunately, documents can easily get lost or damaged, which can make it difficult to check your MOT date – or it would, were it not for online MOT due date checkers. These tools use the DVLA database to find information about your vehicle based on the registration number on your number plate. Some – including Mr Clutch’s own MOT due date checker – allow you to sign up with your email address to receive reminders as your expiry date rolls round, making it easier for you to prepare for your next MOT. You’ll also receive offers and discounts to help you save money on your vehicle maintenance.
If you’ve just had your MOT done and you’ve checked online to find no record of it, don’t panic. It can take up to five days for the DVLA’s data to update, so it may just be that you need to give it some time. If your MOT still isn’t showing after five days, it’s best to get in touch with the DVL to seek assistance.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep a physical copy of your MOT test certificate to hand in the first few days after your last MOT test. The DVLA passes on the details of cars that don’t have a valid MOT to the police, which may result in you being stopped if your details haven’t been updated. If you have your valid MOT certificate with you, however, this will prove your vehicle is roadworthy.