Motor MindMOT reminders: when your MOT is due, and what happens if you miss it
An MOT runs out on the same date every year, and with a busy diary — or more than one car — it is easy to miss. Here is how the dates work in Great Britain, and how to keep them in view.
When is an MOT due?
- A car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration.
- After that, it needs an MOT every year: each MOT lasts for a year.
- Some vehicles need their first test at one year old — the MOT fees table on GOV.UK lists which.
Can I get my MOT early?
Yes. You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date. Test any earlier, and the next MOT is due a year (minus a day) after the date the car passed.
What if my MOT has run out?
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT, and you can be prosecuted if the car is driven or parked on the road after it has run out. The only exceptions are driving to or from somewhere to be repaired, or to an MOT test you have already booked.
How do I find out when my MOT is due?
The date is on your current MOT certificate. You can also look it up, with the car’s past test results, using the “Check MOT history” service on GOV.UK, and sign up there for a reminder that your MOT is due.
Do not let your insurance lapse either
You must have at least third-party insurance to drive on UK roads. If you are caught without it, the police can give you a £300 fixed penalty and 6 penalty points; a court can impose an unlimited fine and disqualify you from driving, and the car can be seized.