The word ‘MOT’ instils dread in many, as the thought of failure equates to spending vast amounts of money to get your car back up to scratch. However, the process of carrying out an MOT ensures your safety, and the safety of everyone else on the road – making it quite a valuable process. Regular maintenance of your vehicle should ensure a smooth check-up of your vehicle, but to elevate some of the worry, we have answered some regularly asked questions regarding your MOT.

When Is My MOT Due?

While brand new cars don’t require an MOT for the first three years, after this you are legally required to have it checked every 12 months. The specific date that your MOT is due can be found in your V5C booklet, or at the back of your previous certificate. Alternatively, entering your vehicle’s registration and make into the gov.uk site is a quick way to find out when your MOT needs to be booked.

However, you do not have to wait until the date specified in your booklet, or online, to have an MOT check. You are able to book your vehicle in for a test up to one month before it is due. We highly recommend this so that you don’t have to worry if your garage of choice does not have a slot available on the day you would like to have your test.

Some vehicles don’t require an annual check such as:

  • Lorries, buses and trailers – these require an annual check test that is not classed as an MOT
  • Electrically powered goods vehicles
  • Motorcycles and cars that were made before 1960

While it is important that you still carry out regular maintenance on these vehicles, it is not required by law.

Are MOT Certificates Still Issued?

Driving a vehicle without an MOT certificate is an offence, with the only exceptions being:

Travelling to the test centre on the day of your test
Travelling in a failed vehicle to a place where it can be repaired

MOT certificates, as always, are still issued, and are presented as an A4 sized certificate; issued after your vehicle has been inspected. Your certificate will include what are known as ‘advisories,’ which are basically recommendations regarding aspects that need to be dealt with as soon as possible; even though your vehicle passed the MOT test.

If your certificate gets damaged for any reason, you can apply for a replacement on the gov.uk website. In order to do this you will need:

  • vehicle’s registration number AND
  • Your V5C reference number (from the registration certificate) OR
  • The number of the original MOT test

Doing this does incur a charge, but that is a lot better than being caught without proof of a valid MOT certificate.

What MOT Class Is My Vehicle?

It is important that, before booking your vehicle in for an MOT, you check the garage you are using is registered to test your class of vehicle. There are five classes and they vary in price from £29.65 to £124.50. If you are unsure of your classification, UKMOT.com lists everything you need to know.