An MOT is a historical document that shows any existing faults with a vehicle and outlines the condition of the car. With an MOT check, you not only have access to the most recent information from the latest MOT, but also any faults or issues that were found previously. It gives you a clear overview of the condition of the car so you can make an informed decision.
The primary reason to get an MOT is that it’s illegal to drive a car without one. Doing so can cost you a fine of up to £2,500, 3 points on your licence, and/or a driving ban. But it’s also important because you want to be confident that your vehicle is safe to drive on the roads and that it meets UK standards. Any vehicle is required to have an annual MOT check after the first 3 years, so if you’re buying a used car, you want to be clear on its MOT history.
If you’re stopped by police without a valid MOT status, you could face a penalty and 3 points on your licence. You can’t drive a vehicle without an up to date MOT that proves your car is road safe, to avoid putting yourself and others on the road at risk. You are only allowed to drive it directly to a garage to have the MOT test or for a repair. If you’re stopped on the way by police, you have to be able to prove you have an appointment at a garage.
MOT failures are classified as Dangerous Faults and Major Faults. Dangerous Faults include the car leaking hydraulic fluid, missing wheel nuts and similar issues that mean the car cannot be driven and must be relocated by tow truck. Major Faults mean the car has failed its MOT but may still be driveable to the garage for repair, but it’s not recommended that you do so. These faults include failed catalytic converters, noisy exhausts, etc. You aren’t allowed to drive a car with a failed MOT on public roads until the faults have been fixed.
All vehicles in the UK that are 3 years old from the date they were first registered are required to have an annual MOT test. Vintage cars over 40 years old don’t require an MOT, but owners are obligated to keep them in a roadworthy condition.
If there’s no MOT data for a vehicle, it may be less than 3 years old.
You’re required to have an MOT test on your vehicle every 12 months. Use our free MOT check service by entering your vehicle registration number for the details of your MOT expiry date.
A UK MOT check from a reliable source, such as our free MOT reports, will help you determine if the car you want to buy was safe and in a roadworthy condition at the time of testing. When you choose to check the MOT history of a car, you’ll be able to see whether there were any major issues with the vehicle previously too.
It’s illegal in the UK to drive without an MOT and doing so not only breaks the law but invalidates your car insurance. As the owner and driver of the vehicle, you’re responsible for making sure the MOT is up to date and valid.
Over 15% of cars failed their MOT in 2020, due to a range of factors. But there are common advisories that are the cause of failure, including:
With our free MOT check, you can see whether the MOT on a used vehicle has failed and why, so you can get these issues seen immediately if you choose to go ahead with the purchase.