On the 25th March, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced that all car MOTs due after March 30th would be granted a 6-month extension, (12-months in Northern Ireland). Lorries, coaches and buses also had their annual tests suspended.

However, this is due to end from August 1st. MOT's will once again become compulsory for every vehicle in England, Scotland and Wales.

This means that if your MOT due date falls on or after August 1st, you must book your MOT test before it expires. Else, you risk a significant fine, 3 points on your licence and run the risk of invalidating your insurance.

 

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Why Has the MOT Extension Ended?

With Coronavirus lockdown measures easing, traffic levels are rising again. With more and more cars on the road, the Government has taken this decision to keep drivers safe.

 

My MOT is Due Before August 1st, What Does This Mean For Me?

If your test is due before August 1st, you will still receive the MOT extension, but we would urge you to book a test regardless. The majority of UK garages are open again and offer MOT tests. In April, roughly 30% of the bookings made through BookMyGarage were for an MOT (despite the extension still being in place).

This shows that many drivers still understand the importance of keeping their vehicle safe and roadworthy on a regular basis. What's more, Motorway (using DVSA data) reported that UK garages carried out 750,000 MOTs in April alone, despite the extensions.

However, a great deal of drivers have taken advantage of the extensions.

This has left an estimated 1.5 million dangerous vehicles on UK roads. It is your responsibility to ensure that your car is in a safe and roadworthy condition. So, even if your MOT has been extended, we strongly recommend booking an MOT regardless if you are concerned about any aspect of your car's safety. If you have already received an MOT extension, you need to book a test up to a month (minus a day) before the new expiry date. You will not receive a second extension.

For drivers in Northern Ireland, the 12-month extension date will not be changed.

 

My MOT is On Or After August 1st, What Does This Mean For Me?

If your test is due on or after August 1st, you must book an appointment for your original MOT date in plenty of time. Many garages closed during the lockdown, so are busier than usual as they deal with a backlog of customers.

We offer a range of options for people who may still be worried about taking their car to a garage. Many of our garages offer Contact-Free Collection and return of your vehicle, including on MOT only bookings.

If you were granted an MOT extension, but are worried about the quality of your vehicle, some of our garages offer a Summer Safety Check (free for everyone) and many offer a Vehicle Safety Check (free for NHS staff and keyworkers or with an MOT or service; £19.99 otherwise).  

You can find further details here: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/mot-extension-end-1-august-lockdown-lifts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53221512