The MOT test applies to most motor vehicles three years old and over. If your vehicle is more than three years old and isn’t exempt from the MOT test, you must have a current MOT test certificate. You won’t be able to tax your vehicle without it.

Cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles manufactured or first registered over 40 years ago are exempt from the MOT test, unless the vehicle has been substantially changed within the previous 30 years. Guidance on what counts as a substantial change can be found at www.gov.uk/historic-vehicles

If a vehicle that’s currently exempt from the MOT test is substantially changed, the vehicle keeper cannot continue to claim an exemption from the MOT test.

Owners are still legally required to ensure that these vehicles are safe and in a proper condition to be on the road and they can be submitted for a test voluntarily.

Certain vehicles, including the following, MUST be tested one year after registration and annually thereafter

large goods vehicles (LGVs) over 3.5 tonnes gross weight
passenger-carrying vehicles (PCVs) with more than eight seats
ambulances
taxis.

The purpose of the MOT test is to ensure that your vehicle’s safety and environmental systems and components meet the required minimum legal standards.

The test must be carried out every year by a vehicle testing station appointed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

For details of DVSA’s MOT text reminder service, see www.gov.uk

You can have your vehicle tested as much as one month beforethe current certificate runs out. The expiry date of the newcertificate will be one year after the expiry date of the old one

Your certificate

An MOT test certificate isn’t a guarantee that the vehicle will remain roadworthy and comply with the minimum standards of the certificate. Neither does it imply that the engine and transmission systems are in good condition – these items aren’t critical to safety and aren’t covered by the MOT test.

Fees

Ask any vehicle testing station about their current test and retest fees.

The maximum fee that may be charged is set by the government and depends on the type of vehicle. See www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/mot-test-fees for the latest figures.

Failure

If your vehicle fails its MOT and you want to continue to use it, you must make arrangements to have the necessary repairs carried out without delay. The vehicle must pass a retest before it’s used on the road, except when

driving it away from the testing station after failing the test
driving to and from a garage carrying out the repairs
driving to an MOT test appointment booked in advance.

Even in these circumstances you can still be prosecuted if your car isn’t roadworthy under the various regulations governing its construction and use. In addition, check that your insurance cover remains valid.

You can go online at www.gov.uk to check your vehicle’s MOT status and history.

Appeals

If you consider the vehicle has been incorrectly failed, you have the right to appeal. Information on how to appeal may be obtained at www.gov.uk

Exhaust emission limits

Remember, the test includes a strict exhaust emission test. This means your engine must be correctly tuned and adjusted.

There are prescribed emission limits for the engines of vehicles registered after 1975 and the MOT test will check that these limits aren’t exceeded.

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