For drivers across the UK, the government has made the MOT process easier by introducing the online system of issuing and accessing MOT certificates. This greatly reduces the need for carrying or keeping paper records. Still, the need for duplicate paper copies hasn’t completely ended. Every year, many duplicate copies of MOT are issued in the UK. If you had a printed copy of an MOT certificate that’s now lost, or you’re just wondering what to do if you lose your MOT certificate, here are a few things to take note of.
MOT before 2012
In the past, a paper MOT certificate was issued to drivers after visiting an authorised MOT centre. You had to keep all your certificates to prevent it from getting lost. Car owners went through a stressful process of maintaining paper records to make sure it’s available for law enforcement officers and MOT garages. It also made selling used cars technically stressful as buyers wanted to check MOT history to guide their decision. In those days, a meticulous and up-to-date record of all MOT certificates is like an indication that a used car seller is transparent and isn’t trying to hide or misrepresent anything.
No doubt, keeping a paper MOT certificate record had many downsides. Asides from being stressful, it may become lost in a scenario of fire accident or theft, or other unforeseen situations. Losing an MOT certificate meant you had to visit the MOT centre, where your car was tested, to get a replacement. If you had relocated far away from the venue, things would have been even more stressful.
MOT in more modern times
With well over 20,000 DVSA-authorised MOT centres across the UK, the government has made access to the mandatory yearly car-testing service easier and moved to the online MOT system. The online system makes things easier for motorists, circumventing the need for maintaining paper MOT records. Law enforcement officers also have easy access online when there’s a need to check motorists driving on the road. It’s a win-win.
Still, thousands of duplicate MOT certificates are being requested for my motorist, despite the introduction of the convenient online MOT. For example, a staggering 636,000 copies of MOT certificates were issued in 2018. Even though this figure represents only 2% of the entire MOT done annually, it shows there are still strong reasons people need duplicate MOT certificates.
Reasons people keep paper MOT
Even though checking an MOT status on the DVSA website is easier, some people still want the paper copy. It’s a habit for some people as it makes them comfortable having a physical representation of a service they paid for. Some car repair garages still request paper MOT certificates from vehicle owners. Because not everyone is tech-savvy, having a paper MOT certificate makes it easier for some people to quickly sell used cars to buyers that are more comfortable checking paper MOT records.
What to do if you lose your MOT certificate
You can decide not to replace it since the records are available online at any time and from anywhere. The mechanic that carried out the MOT for your car usually uploads the records. All you need to do is check the DVSA website, which is a pretty straightforward process. When you arrive at the website, all you need is your car’s registration number. It’ll grant you instant access to details like the model, colour, manufacturer, date of first registration, and when the current MOT will expire.
On the other hand, you can also print a duplicate copy if you lose your MOT certificate. Bear in mind that there might be some differences in how you can access a duplicate MOT certificate based on your vehicle type. Owners of class 1 to 7 vehicles, i.e, motorcycles, cars, and vans, have the easiest access to replacing their lost MOT certificate. If you have access to a printer and a computer, you can print your duplicate MOT certificate anytime. Duplicate copies come in PDF format, so your computer should have PDF-viewing software.
Checking online only requires your vehicle’s registration number. Printing, however, requires your vehicle’s registration and also the 11-digit reference number from the latest vehicle logbook of your vehicle, also known as V5C.
If you don’t have access to a personal printer, the other option is to visit MOT garages. They can get you a duplicate copy in a matter of minutes. This may be done freely but can also come with a £10 charge as the government allows authorised MOT centres to apply this charge.
Heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, lorries, or buses, like public service vehicles-owners, follow a slightly different route to replacing their lost MOT certificate. If you own any of these vehicles, you’ll have to fill out a form online to request a copy of your car’s MOT certificate before it can be issued to you.
Advantages of online MOTs
With the online MOT system, checking your MOT status is just a few clicks away from anywhere and anytime on any modern internet-enabled device. You don’t have to have a duplicate copy as there’s no need to present one to a law enforcement officer, who already has real-time access to the public MOT records. For potential buyers of used cars, access is easy for them online.
The information online is more comprehensive as it doesn’t just have details of current failed or passed MOT certificates. It also contains details of all the checks on a car since the digital system was introduced. If you’re ever going to buy a used car, the online MOT record will come in handy, as it will reveal any flagged issue the seller may want to pass on to you.
The online system can also check when your car tax is due or the car you’re considering buying. It also makes it easy to pay for your tax online, avoiding queuing up at the post office with the necessary paperwork to get your tax sorted.
