MOT testing is one of the most effective and essential ways of looking after your vehicle, but how much do you actually know about MOTs?
As a required aspect of vehicle maintenance, it's really important that you know what to expect from the MOT process.
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What Is an MOT?
An MOT test is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
It is a mandatory annual inspection designed to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and meets certain environmental and safety standards.
During an MOT test, a certified tester will check several essential vehicle components, like the brakes, lights and tyres.
If your car passes the test, you will receive a paper copy of your MOT certificate and you will not have to have the vehicle tested again for another year.
If your car fails, then it will need to be MOT retested in order to earn a pass certificate.
An MOT certificate is a document which confirms that your vehicle has met certain appropriate legal road safety and environmental standards.
If you lose your MOT certificate, you can get a replacement online.
The maximum MOT fee for a car is £54.85, whilst a standard motorbike MOT will cost a maximum of £29.65.
These MOT prices are set in the UK by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Certain vehicles may be MOT exempt, for instance if they were registered more than 40 years ago with no substantial changes made in the last 30 years.
What Does MOT Stand For?
MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, which was the government department which first introduced the MOT test back in 1960.
When Is the Earliest You Can Get an MOT?
Once your vehicle is 3 years old from the date of its registration, it will need its first MOT test.
The vehicle will then need to be tested each year on the anniversary of the last MOT test.
You can have your vehicle MOT tested up to a month - minus a day - before it runs out if you wish to keep the same renewal date.
You can find the date of expiry on the MOT test certificate, provided the vehicle passed the test.
When Is My MOT Due?
You can find out when your MOT runs out by checking the gov.uk website.
Checking the MOT history of your car can tell you other details about previous tests, such as:
- If the vehicle passed or failed
- The mileage when it was tested
- The date of the test
- Any failures or minor issues reported
- When your next MOT is due
Alternatively, if you want to easily check when your next MOT is due, you can use our handy free MOT checker.
Now that you understand what an MOT is and why it's essential for your vehicle's safety and legality, don't let your MOT expire!
On BookMyGarage, you can compare garages in your local area by entering your reg plate and postcode into the booking tool below.
Compare by distance, availability and ratings to find the best garage to perform your MOT.
If you want, you could even book an MOT alongside a service to give your car the best chance of passing.
