Enter your vehicle registration number below to check your MOT status on the official website.
An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual check mandated in the UK for most vehicles over three years old. It’s essentially a health and safety assessment for your car, ensuring it meets basic roadworthiness standards.This website is specifically designed to cover all queries related to MOT check,including how to check MOT history,log in, create an MOT account,understand the MOT test,and view MOT checklist, etc.
This is crucial for two main reasons:
Road Safety
By checking vital components like brakes, lights, and steering, MOTs help identify potential hazards and keep unsafe vehicles off the roads. This reduces the risk of accidents and keeps everyone safer.
Legal Compliance
Driving a car without a valid MOT certificate is illegal and can lead to fines and even invalidate your insurance. An MOT test ensures you’re operating your car within the law.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
What | Mandatory annual check for most UK vehicles over 3 years old. |
Why | Ensures road safety (finding hazards) and legal compliance (meeting minimum standards). |
Checks | Lights, brakes, steering, tyres, exhaust, body, and interior (seatbelts, warning lights). |
Check Status | Free government checker with your car registration: link to MOT checker |
Prepare | Check lights, tyre pressure/tread, fluid levels, and listen for unusual noises. |
Fail | Tester explains issues (dangerous, major, minor). Repairs needed (especially dangerous). Free retest after repairs (usually within 10 days). |
Vs. Service | MOT is mandatory roadworthiness check. Service is recommended preventative maintenance. |
Cost | Varies by vehicle type (check government fees). |
Early MOT | Yes, up to 30 days before expiry (keeps same renewal date). |
Advisories | Non-critical faults identified, recommended to monitor or fix later. |
New Cars | Exempt for the first 3 years. |
Where | Authorized MOT testing centers (garages, workshops). |
Official website | gov.uk |
Enhanced Road Safety:
The primary benefit of MOT checks is ensuring your car meets minimum safety standards. They inspect vital components like brakes, steering, and lights, identifying potential issues before they cause accidents. This proactive approach keeps you and everyone on the road safer.
Legal Compliance:
Driving without a valid MOT certificate is illegal and can lead to fines from law enforcement. Regular MOT checks ensure your car is legal to operate, saving you from unnecessary financial penalties and potential hassle.
Peace of Mind:
A valid MOT certificate provides peace of mind when you’re behind the wheel. You can drive with the confidence that your car has been assessed by a professional and meets the necessary safety criteria.
Improved Resale Value:
Regular MOT checks not only keep your car safe, but they also contribute to maintaining its resale value. A well-maintained car with a clean MOT history is more attractive to potential buyers and can fetch a better price.
Early Warning System:
MOT checks can act as an early warning system for potential problems.
During an MOT, your car will undergo a thorough inspection of several key areas to ensure it meets roadworthiness standards.
Lights and Electrical Equipment: This includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and number plate lights. The MOT tester will verify their functionality and proper operation.
Brakes: A crucial safety check, the MOT assesses the braking system’s efficiency, including the brake pedal feel, balance between wheels, and overall effectiveness in stopping the vehicle.
Steering and Suspension: The MOT ensures the steering wheel provides proper control and there’s no excessive play or looseness. The suspension is also checked for wear and tear, ensuring the car handles predictably and maintains good contact with the road.
Tyres: The MOT inspects tyre tread depth (minimum legal limit is 1.6mm) for adequate grip, as well as any visible damage or bulges that could pose a safety risk.
Exhaust Emissions: A key environmental check, the MOT measures the level of pollutants like carbon monoxide emitted by the car’s exhaust system.
Body and Structure: The MOT will look for any obvious signs of damage to the bodywork or chassis that could compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity.
Interior Checks: This includes ensuring seatbelts function properly, warning lights operate correctly, and the driver has a clear view forward.
Here is how to use the free government MOT checker tool to find out a vehicle’s MOT expiry date, pass/fail history, and any advisories from previous tests:
While some third-party websites also offer MOT history checks,the official government tool is the most reliable source of information as it directly accesses the official DVSA database.
Here are the tips for drivers to ensure their car is in top shape for an MOT test:
Check your lights: Ensure all headlights, taillights, brake lights, indicator lights, fog lights, and number plate lights are functioning properly, and bulbs are not broken.
Inspect your tyres: Make sure your tyres have the correct tread depth (the legal minimum is 1.6mm) and are free of any visible damage or bulges
Top up fluids: Check and top up engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windscreen washer fluid as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Test your brakes: Ensure your brakes feel firm and responsive when you press on the pedal.
Listen for strange noises: Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from the engine or while driving.
Category | Cost | Description |
---|---|---|
MOT Test Fee | Varies | The core cost of the MOT test itself. This is set by the government and depends on the type of vehicle being tested. |
Potential Repairs | Varies | If your car fails the MOT test due to faults, you’ll need to pay for repairs to bring it up to standard. The cost of repairs will vary depending on the severity and number of faults identified. |
Retest Fee (if applicable) | Usually Free | If your car fails the initial MOT test, you can get a free retest within a timeframe (typically 10 days) after addressing the initial failures. However, some testing centers may charge a small fee for a retest if it falls outside this timeframe. |
Additional Notes
Vehicle Type | Maximum MOT Test Fee (as of June 2024) |
---|---|
Car (up to 8 passengers) | £54.85 |
Motorcycle (including mopeds) | £29.65 |
Motorcycle with sidecar | £37.80 |
Light Private Goods Vehicle (e.g., small vans up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight) | £58.60 |
Private Goods Vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross weight | £115.50 |
Minibus (more than 8 passengers) | £58.60 |
Taxi or Private Hire Vehicle | £58.60 |
Notes
These are the maximum fees set by the government. Some MOT testing centers may offer the test for a lower price.
It’s always best to check with the testing center directly for their specific fees.
The table does not include all vehicle categories. You can find the complete list of fees and vehicle categories on the government website: link to MOT fees.
The login process for the MOT testing service depends on whether you’re a new user or an existing user who hasn’t claimed their account yet. Check steps for both scenarios:
Existing User (Account Not Claimed):
Existing User (Claimed Account):
There are three ways to log in if you’ve already claimed your account:
Email and Password: Enter your registered email address and password. Security Card: If you have a working security card, you can use it to log in as usual. Authentication App: You can set up a two-factor authentication app (like Authy or Microsoft Authenticator) for added security. Once set up, the app will generate a unique code for each login.Note
New users cannot apply for a security card. Login will be through email or an authentication app.
Booking an MOT test in the UK is a straightforward process. Here are a couple of ways you can do it:
Online
By Phone
Additional Tips
This checklist will help you ensure your car is ready for its MOT test:
Before the Test:
Additional Tips:
Remember: By preparing your car beforehand, you can avoid unnecessary stress and ensure a smooth MOT test experience.
The MOT tester will explain the reasons for failure and provide a breakdown of the faults identified. They will categorize these faults as either “dangerous,” “major,” or “minor.”
The good news is you can get a free retest within a specific timeframe (typically 10 working days) after the initial test, provided the repairs address the reasons for failure. This retest will only focus on the previously identified faults and ensure they have been rectified. Once repairs are complete, take your car back for the retest to obtain a valid MOT certificate.
MOT checks assess various aspects of your vehicle to ensure it meets road safety and environmental standards.
Mandatory for Most Vehicles:Don’t underestimate the importance of an MOT check. It ensures safety, legal compliance, and peace of mind. Schedule your MOT checks regularly and enjoy the benefits they bring.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Phone | 0300 123 9000 |
Open | Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm |
An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a mandatory annual check in the UK for most vehicles over three years old. It ensures your car meets basic roadworthiness standards.
MOTs promote road safety by identifying potential hazards and ensure legal compliance by verifying your car meets minimum requirements.
MOTs inspect lights, brakes, steering, tyres, emissions, bodywork, and interior elements like seatbelts and warning lights.
Use the free government MOT checker with your vehicle registration number.
The tester will explain the faults (dangerous, major, minor). Repairs are needed, especially for dangerous faults. You can get a free retest within a timeframe (usually 10 days) after repairs.
MOT: Mandatory annual roadworthiness check.
Car Service: Recommended preventative maintenance to keep your car running smoothly.
MOT test fees are set by the government and vary by vehicle type.
Yes! You can get tested up to 30 days before the expiry date while keeping the same renewal date for the following year.
Advisories are non-critical faults identified during an MOT that don’t cause a fail but should be monitored or repaired in the future.
New cars are exempt from MOT tests for the first three years.
Authorized MOT testing centers (VOSA-approved) like garages and workshops.
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal and can lead to fines.
Yes, you can get a free retest within a timeframe after addressing the initial failure points.
An MOT test typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
Many MOT testing centers advertise online. You can also search for “MOT testing near me” on search engines.
You can request a replacement MOT certificate from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for a fee.
It’s not illegal to sell a car without a valid MOT, but the new owner won’t be able to drive it on the road until they obtain a new MOT certificate.