MOT Vehicle Checks – Your Comprehensive Guide

The United Kingdom mandates all vehicles over three years old to take an MOT test to prove they are safe for the road and environment. As a vehicle owner, you must take an MOT test annually. The tests can either lead to a pass or a fail, referred to as the MOT status.

Vehicles that pass the test will be given a certificate that will bear their MOT status and other details, including the specific MOT class. Many things might appear confusing if it’s your first time testing your vehicle. Here is a comprehensive guide to help with your MOT vehicle checks.

When Is My Vehicle MOT Due?

Excited to be driving your new car in the United Kingdom? It won’t be long until you start exercising your responsibilities as a road-worthy driver. One such responsibility is determining when your vehicle will be due for an MOT test. Your first MOT date in the UK has to be three years after purchasing a newly registered vehicle.

After the first one, drivers are mandated to renew their certificates annually. So your next due date will be 12 months from the current date on your certificate. Drivers can sign up on the MOT website for free reminders via mail, letting you know when your MOT is due. The reminder can come two months before your expiry, giving you enough time to take action.

You can decide to opt-out of receiving these reminders. Perhaps you’ve sold or transferred or even want to register as an off-road vehicle. The website allows you to unsubscribe. If you’re buying a second-hand car, you may be uncertain whether the vehicle has been MOT-tested and certified for use. You can contact the next testing facility nearby, and they’ll help determine your vehicle’s next due date. You can try the online alternative if you have the vehicle’s registration number.

How Early Can I Have An MOT Test?

In recent times, there have been many speculations online about this subject. Many drivers believe booking early is a good thing. They’ll put their cars in for an MOT test, hoping they can use their vehicles until the old test runs out, regardless of discovered faults in the new test result. But the Government, through its MOT guidelines, had warned motorists that they face prosecution if they drive their cars after an MOT failure, whether the test was done before the old one expired.

According to the MOT guidelines, a driver can take an MOT test up to one month before the existing MOT certificate expires. If you do that, you’ll have 13 months until your next MOT test. That way, you’ll always have a month’s grace period before your certificate becomes invalid.

So, checking in early doesn’t make your car road-worthy. Vehicle owners might still be liable for prosecution and fines.

How To Check Your Vehicle’s MOT Status

Your MOT status will determine whether your car passed or failed. Often, it’ll be indicated on your certificate. Drivers who have failed will know the parts that need repairing if they want to become roadworthy. The only way to declare your car roadworthy is through MOT testing. So if you misplace your certificate, you may want to retrieve it to know your car’s MOT status.

Individuals looking to buy second-hand vehicles may also be uncertain about the MOT status of the to-be-purchased car. The UK Ministry of Transport introduced its digital platform in 2005, and since then, many drivers have found it easier to facilitate some specific MOT activities online. A quick visit to our MOT checker can reveal your car’s MOT status. All you’ll need is the vehicle’s registration number.

How To See A Vehicle’s MOT History

You can also pull out your vehicle’s entire MOT history by visiting the MOT website or any other service provider you prefer. You’ll need the vehicle’s registration number and the 11-digit number from the vehicle’s logbook (V5C) if you want to see the testing location.

You can access the vehicle’s MOT status, the mileage recorded at the testing time, what parts failed, and when your next MOT inspection is due. Note that drivers can only get results for tests done in 2005 and beyond. Also, tests done outside Wales, Scotland, or England will not be available on the MOT website.

Important Features To Check When Buying A Used Car

Buying a used car in the UK appears to be daunting. But fulfilling the necessary due diligence is necessary if you want to enjoy driving without any fines or challenges on the road. Suppose you’re looking to buy a vehicle but realise it has failed its MOT. Should you dismiss it as a purchase option? Waiting for a few days can be a good idea if you suspect the owner has just had an MOT. It will take five business days for the details to show on the website.

First, ask for the vehicle’s registration number, model, and MOT test number. Then you can run these details by the information held by DVLA, ensuring that they’re authentic. You can also check if the vehicle has been recalled due to a specific issue.

If you don’t want to buy a stolen car, It’s crucial to also double-check the serial number and ensure the vehicle registration certificate has a DVL watermark. With that out of the way, you can assess the car’s features to avoid failing an MOT test.

Lights and signals account for about 30 percent of MOT inspection failures. That should be an important area to check out. You can include rear lights, fog lamps, and licence plate lights. You may get a reduction on the car’s price if the seller wants you to bear the maintenance costs.

Apart from lights, the vehicle’s suspension is another area worth inspecting. Nearly 20 percent of MOT inspections fail because of suspension-related issues. You can ask a mechanic to help you with common suspension faults and how to identify them.

MOT testers will also check the vehicle’s tyres for uneven wear, excess oil on your shock absorbers, insufficient brakes, etc. Generally, these tests will not only ensure safety but help you cut a lot of costs.

Will My New Car Need An MOT Before I Drive It?

The United Kingdom has its requirements for drivers. As per the Ministry of Transport’s regulations, all vehicles must obtain an MOT certificate, provided the car is three years and above. You can drive the car without an MOT if it’s not yet three years old. So it’s crucial to check if a previous owner has used the new car for three years.

Once the car passes the third-year mark, drivers can be fined up to a thousand pounds if they drive without an MOT. In some cases, these fines can also come with a driving disqualification.

Besides the fines, drivers risk running down their insurance cover if caught driving without an MOT.

It’s also important to note that disabled vehicle owners and vehicles used by organisations to bus disabled people are not mandated to test their vehicles before driving. Also, one of the overarching objectives of MOTs in the United Kingdom is to reduce vehicle pollution and emissions. Per the MoT pricing structure, vehicles emitting more CO2 pay more MOt fees. Given this, you may be exempted from the mandatory MOT requirement if your car is an electric vehicle.

MOT vs Servicing: What’s The Difference?

The difference between these two is in their respective objectives. An MOT is a legal requirement for all drivers in the UK. Especially those who have been using their cars for more than three years. It aims to ensure cars in the UK are safe and do not emit too many harmful substances or pollute the air on the road. MOT testing considers your car’s mechanical and operational functionality, ensuring features meet essential safety standards. In 2018, the scope for MOT testing was updated to cover stricter emission standards and fault categories.

You can find a full list of items that will be checked on the official DVSA website. Some key areas to consider are structural integrity, braking, exhaust system, seats, horns, etc. Many people prefer to have their cars a quick once-over before visiting the testing centre. That can increase your chances of passing your MOT test, even though some issues may be hard to spot if you’re not a trained technician. According to the DVSA, most MOT failures include lights, tyres, brakes, suspension, and visibility issues. Giving your car a once over before visiting the testing facility can help you avoid these minor issues.

In contrast, servicing ensures your car performs at an optimal condition, following detailed guidelines by the vehicle’s manufacturer. An MOT and servicing serve different purposes but include similar things in their processes—talk of features like tyre tread depth, seat belt anchorages, brakes, etc. That said, you don’t have to bother yourself about choosing one and leaving the other.

Is A Vehicle Health Check The Same As An MOT?

The simple answer is no. An MOT test measures a car’s roadworthiness and safety against specific standards outlined by the Government. But a roadworthy car doesn’t mean it’s functioning at optimal efficiency. And that’s where an MOT differs from a vehicle health check.

Taking your car for vehicle health checks can help you avoid minor faults before they become big issues that can threaten your car’s life span. Generally, the vehicle health check guards the efficiency of your car, helping you avoid breakdowns and auto-disappointments. Another benefit you gain from vehicle health checks is value appreciation, especially if you plan on selling your car.

Also, note that there is no set duration for an MOT test. It depends on the testing centre and the amount of work on your car. Usually, testers will need 45 minutes to an hour if they’re to diagnose and certify your car as roadworthy.

Is It Legal To Check The MOT Status Of Other Vehicles?

Yes, it’s legal. Checking the MOT status of any vehicle online can be done by anyone. This makes it favourable, especially if you’re buying a second-hand car and want to check if it’s MOT-certified. The most important information you’ll need is the vehicle’s registration number which is very much information everyone can access.

Will The Owner Be Notified If I Check Their Vehicles MOT Status?

No. Just about anyone can check your vehicle’s MOT status. And it might be some nuisance if you got an email for every check someone did.

To Conclude

Generally, getting an MOT certificate is non-negotiable in the UK. Even if you’re a new driver or have only used your car for less than years, an MOT will come in handy in the near future. The process can be daunting, especially if you’re clueless about how MOTs work. More importantly, it’s vital to check a car’s MOT status before purchase. Sites like us at MOT History Checks can help in this respect. It protects you from unexpected costs and you’ll be confident in the health of your new car.

Also, keeping tabs on providers can never be a miss if you want to make the process more convenient. MOT testing is a special service regulated by the UK’s appropriate governing authorities. Therefore, testing centres need accreditation to provide MOT services. MOT testers also undergo specific training, ensuring they leave no stone unturned during inspections. Look out for the official MOT symbol to see if a test centre is accredited. It features three intersecting white triangles on a blue background.

Also remember that MOT prices are controlled, so you’re likely to see one cost running through multiple centres. Usually, testing facilities charge based on the vehicle’s MOT class. Most vehicles fall within the class 4 MOT category, which charges a 54.85 GBP fee set by the UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Some facilities can offer cheaper tests than the regular fee to beat the competition and appeal more to customers. For the most part, a facility won’t lose so much if customers get reduced MOT costs and end up paying more repair works which it has total control of.