Do you know which documents - if any - you need to take to an MOT?
Read on and find out if you need to take anything to an MOT, and whether you need to bring last year's MOT certificate with you.
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What Documents Do I Need to Take to an MOT Test?
Generally speaking, you will not need to take any physical documents with you to an MOT test.
All approved MOT test centres can access any necessary information online relating to your vehicle, such as its MOT history and certificates.
That being said, there are some things you need to take to an MOT.
Appointment Confirmation
After booking your appointment, the MOT test centre will provide you with an appointment confirmation - which will usually be sent to your email.
You will need to tell the MOT test centre your booking reference number and vehicle identification number.
Although the garage will likely have a record of the booking, it's best to keep the confirmation email to hand, just in case there's an issue locating your booking or the garage encounters a technical problem.
Payment Method
If you have yet to pay, then make sure you bring a payment method with you.
Insurance
You will need car insurance in order to legally drive to and from the MOT test centre.
V5C Log Book
The test centre could ask for the V5C log book during your vehicle’s MOT test - especially if this is the vehicle’s first MOT test.
This log book mentions the driver registration details, service history and taxation history of your vehicle.
It has stamps and records from your mechanic, which can be useful for the MOT tester.
Most MOT centres will likely be able to find your V5C information online, but bringing a paper copy can provide the tester with more information and be helpful in the event they find a major fault or technical issue.
If you have lost your original V5C log book - or it has otherwise been stolen or damaged - you can apply online, by post or by phone to get a duplicate.
You will not need to bring your vehicle's V5C log book with you to any subsequent MOTs - unless you have changed your car's registration number since a previous test.
Do I Need to Bring Last Year's MOT Certificate with Me?
You don't need to bring your current MOT certificate with you to the test - DVLA-approved garages can find this through a digital database.
However, keeping a paper copy of your certificate in a safe place will come in handy if you ever come to sell your car on.
A prospective buyer will want to see the certificate as proof that the car is roadworthy - access to computerised records is not available to the general public, so they won't be able to check this otherwise.
You can check your MOT status online to ensure you have a valid certificate. You can contact the MOT centre where you passed the previous MOT check and provide them with your details to order a replacement MOT certificate if needed.
You can replace your VC5 log book, MOT certificate and appointment confirmation through the DVLA or the MOT centre.
Please note, MOT electronic records are not always reliable, so it is worth ordering replacement documents a couple of weeks before your upcoming MOT inspection, just in case.
You could need these documents in other situations too - like if you want to claim on your insurance after an accident, or to renew your road tax in person.
What If I've Lost My Documents?
If you have lost any car-related documents, such as your driving licence, you can request a replacement via the DVLA website or over the phone.
For replacement MOT certificates, you can obtain one via the gov.uk website.
Remember, you will likely have to pay a fee to have these documents replaced and they could take some weeks to arrive.
Be sure to order a replacement V5C document well in advance of your vehicle's first MOT test so that it is with you in time.
