MOT Guide

An MOT test is the UK’s annual roadworthiness check for cars, vans, and motorcycles. This guide explains what’s actually tested, when you need one, what it costs, and what to do if your vehicle fails — plus links to our free tools for checking MOT history, finding a test centre, and setting reminders.

What Is an MOT Test?

MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, the government department that introduced the test in 1960. It’s a legally required annual inspection that checks whether a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards. An MOT is not a guarantee of the vehicle’s overall mechanical condition or reliability — it only confirms the vehicle met the required standards on the day it was tested.

When Do You Need an MOT?

Most cars, vans, and motorcycles need their first MOT three years after the date they were first registered, then every year after that. You can get your MOT done up to one month (minus a day) before it’s due — if you do, the new certificate is dated from the old expiry date rather than the test date, so you don’t lose any time.

What Does an MOT Test Check?

A full MOT covers dozens of individual checks. The main areas are:

• Lights, indicators, and reflectors
• Tyres, wheels, and tyre pressure/tread depth
• Brakes, including the handbrake
• Steering and suspension
• Seatbelts and airbags (where fitted)
• Mirrors, windscreen, wipers, and washers
• Exhaust system and emissions
• Bodywork and vehicle structure (checking for sharp edges or corrosion in key areas)
• Registration plate, VIN, and horn
• Fuel system

The test does not check the engine, clutch, or gearbox internally — those are covered by a separate service, not the MOT.

How Much Does an MOT Cost?

The MOT fee is capped by law, not fixed — test centres can charge up to the maximum but are free to charge less. The current maximum fees are £54.85 for a car (class 4) and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle (£37.80 with a sidecar). It’s worth comparing prices locally, as many test centres charge below the cap, especially when the MOT is booked alongside a service.

How to Check a Vehicle’s MOT History

Every MOT test result in Great Britain since 2005 is recorded against the vehicle, including pass/fail outcomes, mileage readings, and advisory notes. This is especially useful when buying a used car, as it can reveal recurring faults, mileage inconsistencies, or a pattern of neglect that a seller might not mention.

Use our free MOT History Checker to pull a full report using just the registration number.

What Happens If Your Car Fails Its MOT?

If your car fails, you cannot legally drive it — except to a pre-booked repair or retest appointment — unless your existing MOT certificate is still valid and none of the faults are classed as “dangerous”. Once the faults are fixed, most test centres offer a free or discounted partial retest if it’s done within ten working days.

See our guide to common MOT failures and how to avoid them to help your car pass first time.

Stay on Top of Your MOT

Missing your MOT renewal date is easy to do and can result in a fine and invalid insurance. Set up a free reminder on our homepage and we’ll notify you before your MOT is due, and use our MOT centre finder to book your test nearby.

More MOT Guides

• Full MOT History Checker — run a free check using a registration number
• Common MOT Failures — the most frequent reasons vehicles fail, and how to avoid them
• MOT Test Changes: Latest UK Rules & Guidance — recent updates to the test
• Electric Vehicles MOT Test — what’s different for EV owners

Frequently Asked Questions