An MOT test is an annual inspection that is required by law on all vehicles in the UK that are older than 3 years. The test follows strict criteria that is set out by the DVSA to determine whether your car is fit for purpose and in roadworthy condition. A broad range of vehicle safety checks must be completed by an MOT garage with DVSA-approved examiners, including lights, tyres, seatbelts and emissions. For a full list of what is included in an MOT when you have your test at Parkhill Motors.

During the MOT test, the nominated tester, a person accredited by the DVSA to assess your vehicle, will conduct a comprehensive inspection to ensure the vehicle is in roadworthy condition. However, it is not the same as having your vehicle serviced and the MOT test does not check the general mechanical condition of the vehicle. Also, the assessment is based on the condition of the vehicle on the day.

If the vehicle passes, the nominated tester will provide you with a pass certificate. They will also separately list and inform you of any ‘advisory’ or ‘minor’ items that will require attention in the near future so you can keep an eye on them.

If the vehicle fails, you may be entitled to a free re-test.

Any vehicle that is older than 3 years is required to have a valid MOT test certificate that should be renewed annually. This means that, if you have a vehicle that is younger than 3 years, you don’t need to take it for an MOT test until it reaches the third anniversary of when it was first registered. After this date, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is renewed every 12 months.

An MOT certificate is usually valid for 12 months from the expiry of your previous certificate instead of 12 months from the day of the test. This is important to remember so that you aren’t driving your car when the MOT has expired. You can find this expiry date on your existing MOT test certificate.

There are certain rules about how early you can take your car for its annual MOT test. The inspection can be carried out up to 28 days before the expiry date shown on your previous MOT certificate. This means that, if you take your vehicle for its test 28 days before the expiry, your MOT will essentially be valid for 13 months. You won’t lose any days for taking the car early.

For example, if your MOT certificate expires on the 20th July, you can take the car for its next test between the 22nd June and 20th July. The new certificate would then be valid until the 20th July the following year.

An MOT is a legal requirement to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive on public roads and isn’t producing too many harmful emissions. This means that there are certain penalties that you could incur if you don’t have a valid MOT. To find out what these are, see the section below.

Without a current MOT certificate, you will be unable to drive your vehicle lawfully or renew your road tax. The penalty for not having a valid MOT certificate is a fine of up to £1,000, however, if your car has failed the test and is deemed as ‘dangerous’, driving this vehicle could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your licence. For your car to be classed as dangerous following its MOT test, it either poses an immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment due to its emissions.

If you’re asked to produce your MOT certificate following an accident and it isn’t up to date, your car insurance claim could be affected, especially in the case of injury. Alternatively, recent computerisation of the MOT testing system by DVSA means that police and mobile camera units can now check remotely to see if your vehicle has a current MOT. They can use your number plate to check their database and may stop you if your MOT is invalid.

It’s best NOT to take the risk, so don’t leave it too late –