Did you just buy a new car? Are you still a bit confused about the details of the mandatory MOT? Then it’s a good thing you’re here.
By law, all cars that aren’t MOT exempt or under three years old, must have an MOT certificate to be driven on public roads. Every car owner is responsible for getting their car tested at the right time and at an approved MOT centre to ensure they’re not breaking the law while driving.
If you’re asking yourself when does a car need an MOT? This article details everything you need to know.
Why does a car need an MOT?
The MOT (the Ministry of Transport) test is designed by the government to ensure vehicles driven on public roads are safe, according to the government’s established standard. A certificate is issued whenever the test is done, which can be accessed online by anyone, including law enforcement officers. In addition, people who buy used cars also use MOT records to make guided decisions. Buyers can check MOT history to understand its maintenance journey, including mileage, among other things.
After an MOT is done at an approved centre, a car will either fail or pass its MOT. A pass means your car meets or surpasses the minimum requirements set by the DVSA, qualifying you to get a pass certificate. If your car fails, you’ll be issued a refusal and be expected to fix the issues flagged before your car can return to the road. Note that you may not be allowed to drive away if the issues that led to the failed remark are considered dangerous. After fixing, it’ll be retested before a pass certificate can be uploaded online.
Does your car need an MOT?
If your car isn’t MOT exempt, i.e., not mandated to have an MOT certificate, the law requires it must undergo a yearly roadworthiness test if it is over three years old. If you live in Northern Ireland, newly registered cars are MOT-exempt as they’re expected to be in good shape for the first three or four years. After the first three years, your car no longer qualifies to be an MOT-exempt vehicle.
Also, if you own a classic car registered over four decades, it may be exempt from having an MOT certificate. Classic cars are furnished with features that may mean they don’t meet modern standards of MOT. In addition, many classic car owners keep their vehicles as part of a collection and not for everyday use. However, they’re only exempt provided that substantial changes haven’t been done to the running gear, engine, axles, and chassis over 30 years or more.
This exemption doesn’t mean classic car owners shouldn’t ensure their car is roadworthy. You may be prosecuted if your classic car is in bad shape or is emitting dangerous fumes. If you’re not sure if your car is MOT exempt, you should visit the DVSA website for clarification. MOT-exempt cars still require a permit called the V112 form. It is filled out online, which makes the government formally know you have a vehicle that’s MOT exempt. This way, you won’t have a problem with paying your road tax the usual way when required.
When does your car need an MOT?
It helps to keep in mind that an MOT is mandatory and must be done yearly. The first MOT is due three years after registering a new car. Remember that the registered date is usually different from the date you started driving it or the date the car was purchased. It’s also worth mentioning that if you own other types of vehicles like lorries, ambulances, or taxis, your first MOT will be due after a year instead of three.
Does a car have a grace period after the expiration of the current MOT?
It’s a common misconception that there’s a grace period for car owners to renew their MOT certificate after the expiration of the current one. Note that there’s no such thing in place. Transport police might allow you to visit a garage on the same day of expiration if you’re truly on your way to getting your MOT certificate renewed at the time of checking.
Still, keep in mind that MOT records are now online. It means that a minute after your current MOT certificate expires, the ANPR camera can flag your plates for driving a car without a valid MOT. The penalty is £1,000 or could be more if you’re driving with a fault classified as dangerous.
Therefore, getting your car tested before the current MOT expires is advisable. Even if your car fails its MOT, but the reasons for failing aren’t considered dangerous, you may be allowed to drive the car out of the MOT centre, perhaps, to shop for parts or to another garage to resolve the issues since it still carries a valid MOT certificate.
Does my Car need an MOT even if I don’t drive it?
If you don’t want to use your car for a significant period, perhaps you’re going overseas, you don’t want to assume you won’t need an MOT. If you’ve previously done an MOT, then you must have a certificate, whether in paper or online. If your car is left in the garage and the MOT expires, the DVSA will be notified and your car will be booked anyway.
If you won’t be driving for a while, it’s always best to apply for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) which will pause the mandatory requirement of getting an MOT. Also, if you buy a used car that’s not roadworthy but will take you many months before making it fit for the road, SORN is recommended for the period it’ll be non-operational.
SORN also pauses your obligation to insurance and road tax. However, you can decide to keep paying the insurance if you want to protect the car against theft. Make no mistake, it’s illegal to drive a car with a SORN status. The ANPR camera will likely flag your licence plates. You can’t even park a SORN status car on the road in front of your home. As soon as you are ready to get the car back on the road, you only need to get an MOT, tax, and insurance, which will nullify the SORN status.
