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How do you know when to get an MOT?
The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:
- the third anniversary of its registration
- the anniversary of its last MOT, if it’s over 3 years old
Some vehicles need to be tested at one year old – check the MOT fees table to see which. Find out how to check your MOT expiry date,
How do I find out where my MOT was done?
If you got your test in England, Scotland or Wales You’ll also be able to see: where each test was done – you’ll need the 11-digit number from the vehicle’s log book (V5C)
Is there a grace period after MOT expires?
Is there a grace period? – The simple answer here is sadly no, there is no grace period for an MOT in the UK. There’s been a number of urban legends over the years. You might be hoping there’s a 14 day grace period, or some leeway for special cases, but unfortunately, that’s never been the case.
Can I drive my car after a failed MOT?
My car has failed its MOT. Am I still allowed to drive it away? – It’s illegal to drive a car without a valid MOT certificate. If your car has failed and the date on your certificate has passed, you can only drive your car to be repaired or a pre-arranged MOT appointment, and only if it is completely roadworthy at all times.
What happens if you forget about your MOT?
What happens if you get caught driving without MOT? – Driving without a valid MOT not only poses a risk to yourself and other road users, but can result in serious consequences and hefty fines much greater than the cost of an MOT, If you get caught without an up to date MOT certificate, you’ll initially face fines of up to £1,000. But if your car is found to be dangerous, you could get:
Three penalty points on your driving licence Fines of up to £2,500Banned from driving
Even driving under a previous MOT after a recent MOT fail risks fines, Though your MOT may technically be valid, if police stop your car and determine it doesn’t meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness, you could be hit with any or all of the above.
- If you get involved in an accident without a valid MOT, you could also invalidate your insurance,
- Insurance providers may refuse to pay out so if you’re found to be the cause of the accident, or if any injuries arise, you could end up having to pay up to repair both your own and the other car affected.
You are allowed to drive your car elsewhere or to a different garage to be repaired, but unless your mechanic determines it’s safe to do so, it’s a good idea to arrange services to relocate the car for you. You’ll have to cover the cost for this yourself, but it saves the stress of driving a car in a dangerous condition, and the risk of heavy fines. 
Does MOT automatically update?
If you do not have an MOT or insurance in place – DVLA will write to you if your vehicle’s MOT certificate will have run out when your vehicle tax is due to renew. Your vehicle must pass an MOT by the time the current one runs out. After it’s passed an MOT, DVLA ‘s records will be updated automatically.
- Your vehicle tax will be renewed on the date it was due to run out.
- You do not need to contact DVLA or tax your vehicle again.
- If you do not get an MOT in time, you’ll need to tax your vehicle again.
- If your vehicle is registered in Northern Ireland, you must also have insurance in place when your vehicle tax is due to renew.
You’ll get a letter telling you if your insurance will have run out by then.
How many days after a failed MOT?
Failing an MOT test – If your vehicle does not pass the MOT test, the examiner will give you a notification of refusal containing details of the faults which will have to be repaired for the re-test.
Book a retest
An application for a re-test must be made within 21 days of the original test. After 21 days a full test fee will be needed. Re-tests must be completed within 60 days of the original test. If your vehicle fails an MOT test it is treated as not being roadworthy and it should not be on the road, regardless of whether you have time remaining on an existing MOT certificate.
Find out more about the MOT certificate Book an MOT/vehicle test online
Is your insurance void without MOT?
Is my car insurance valid without an MOT? – Having a valid MOT certificate for your vehicle is a requirement for most car insurance policies. This means that if you do not have a valid MOT, your insurance policy is void – and you won’t be able to claim on your insurance in the event of an accident, even if you are still paying for the policy.
Is there any grace period for?
How a Grace Period Works – A grace period allows a borrower or insurance customer to delay payment for a short period of time beyond the due date. During this period no late fees are charged, and the delay cannot result in default or cancellation of the loan or contract.
How do you avoid failing a MOT?
Recent government statistics suggest that half of the faults found in MOT tests can be prevented by performing simple car maintenance. The most common cause of MOT failure is lighting and signalling issues, such as blown bulbs, which cause almost 19 per cent of all MOT failures.
Check your lights. Inspect lights for loose or damaged parts, and ensure light colours are correct and matching. Examine your tyres. Check for at least 1.6mm tread, and for cuts, bulges and inflation. Analyse your brakes Make sure brakes work efficiently and don’t pull the vehicle to one side. 4. Test your windscreen wipers and washers. Confirm proper functionality and visibility. 5. Clear obstructions from your view of the road. Remove distractions, such as sat navs, air fresheners and mobiles, from blocking your view.
Remember, you must get an MOT for your vehicle by the third anniversary of its registration, or if it’s over three years old, by the anniversary of its last MOT. If your car fails its MOT, it is illegal to be driven—unless it is being driven to be repaired or to a MOT. Contact the insurance professionals at Bond Lovis Insurance Brokers today for more information on keeping your car safe.
Are reversing lights an MOT failure?
We want to support all vehicles to get through their MOT first time to help drivers avoid failure on what can be very basic issues. Here are some of the basic tips to avoid a first time failure. Lights Don’t be one of the 20% of MOT failures which fall down because of a simple dead bulb.
Headlights (main beam and dipped) Sidelights (front and rear) Indicators (front, rear, and side repeaters) Brake lights Rear number plate Rear fog light (fronts are not checked – but check yourself anyway!) Hazards (check seperately from indicators)
The reverse light is not part of the MOT – but always worth checking. Wheels and tyres All tyres should be above the legal minimum tread of 1.6mm across three quarters of the tyre. There should be no damage – check for bulges, splits, or cuts to the sidewalls.
Make sure the tyre size is the same for the rear and front tyres. Although a spare wheel is not a requirement for an MOT check – a ‘space saver’ spare fitted as a road wheel will not pass. Windscreen Chips of over 10mm in the driver’s line of sight and over 40mm in the area swept by the wipers will result in a fail – as will any scratching that limits the drivers vision.
Remember – get small stone chips repaired as soon as possible to stop them spreading any further. It might save you the price of a new windscreen! Wipers & Washer jets Make sure they are secure and are able to clear the windscreen for their entire length.
- Lift up and check the rubber for splits or general wear and tear.
- Of course, check they are safely attached to the wiper arm.
- Test the jets to make sure they work correctly – blocked nozzles can be cleared with a pin.
- Remember to top up your screen wash before you get to your test station! Similar principles apply to the fuel cap – this must be securely in place with the seal inside without splits or having crumbled away.
Exhaust Check for holes (not the one at the end) and make sure it is held onto the vehicle securely. Listen out for the exhaust sounding louder than normal because there is a chance it could have a hole in it. Also, be mindful of a clunk of the exhaust when you go over a bump – it could be the rubber mounts having been worn and requiring replacement.
- Body Vehicle bodywork must be free from heavy corrosion, should not have sharp edges sticking out, and not be badly damaged.
- Make sure the front doors work from inside and outside.
- If you have rear doors, these must work so other parts of the test – like seat belt checks – can be completed.
- Check the boot and bonnet close securely.
Mirrors & Horn These must be in place securely and not held to the car with string or tape. No glass should be cracked or smashed. Test the horn. Can someone outside the car hear it? If not, it must be loud enough to attract the attention of people on foot, cyclists, and other motorists.
Brakes Although the testing of brakes needs specialist knowledge, you can still check that the rubber on all the pedals isn’t worn away. If your car has ABS, a warning light should go out after you start the car. For the hand brake, this should hold the car on a hill. Number plates Ensure that these are secured properly to the car, not faded, not hidden by dirt, and not cracked.
Check for standard letters and numbers with even spacing. Seat belts Give all your seat belts a sharp tug. They should latch, fasten securely and lock. Check they are in a good condition, not frayed or cut. Rock each of your seats to check they are bolted down and secure.
Does MOT check oil?
Is oil checked on MOT? Your steering oil level will be checked as part of the MOT. Your vehicle will need enough oil and fuel levels to carry out emission checks. So it will be worth checking this before taking your car to your MOT appointment.
What are the 2 types of MOT?
For all vehicles three years old or more it is a legal requirement that your vehicle has a valid MOT if you wish to continue to drive it on the road. The MOT test ensures that your car, 4×4 or van can meet minimum requirements in terms of environmental standards and road safety.
Should you fail to take your vehicle for its MOT every year then you will face a fixed penalty if you are caught using it on the road once your certificate runs out. Dependent on the type of vehicle you drive there are two choices of MOT either a Class 4 or Class 7 MOT Test. A class 4 MOT is the most common one and the MOT required on all passenger cars, whilst a class 7 MOT is usually carried out on commercial goods vehicles that carry between 3,000 kg and 3,500 kg in weight.
Protyre are proud to provide both Class 4 and Class 7 MOTs. Class 4 MOTs can be booked online via the Protyre website, Alternatively, if your vehicle requires a Class 7 MOT then please make an enquiry at any one of our 15 centres which can carry out Class 7 MOTs.
Is out of date TYRE sealant an MOT failure?
It is important to have the tyre inspected by a professional to determine the best course of action. Is out of date tyre sealant an MOT failure? This is not listed as a direct cause.
What does category s mean?
What is a Category S vehicle? – Category S, or a Cat S, is a term used to describe a vehicle with “structural” damage. This means that the damage is severe enough to have affected the structural integrity of the chassis, or other structural elements of the vehicle.
