Q: Can I drive after a failed MOT?

You can only drive your car after a failed MOT if: The MOT certificate from the previous year is still valid. No ‘dangerous’ faults were recorded during the failure. You must not drive your car after a failed MOT if it doesn’t meet the above requirements.

Question 1

What is an MOT test?

Accepted Answer

An MOT test, or Ministry of Transport Test, is an essential annual vehicle check to assess roadworthiness and safety standards. It ensures all vehicles on UK roads are maintained to a certain standard, improving road safety standards in the process.

Question 2

Do I need an MOT?

Accepted Answer

You will need an MOT every year, by law, if you drive a vehicle registered three or more years ago.

If your car is less than three years old, you do not need an MOT, but you can choose to book one if you wish.

Question 3

How early can you do an MOT?

Accepted Answer

You can book your MOT as early as you want, but most people choose to book it up to a month, minus a day, before the expiry date. This allows you to complete the same expiry date for the following year. For example, if your car was registered on the 1st of September, you could book your MOT between 2nd August and 1st September to keep the same expiry date.

If you book your MOT early, you get more time to fix any faults and ensure your car is still legal to drive on UK roads. However, if you book your MOT earlier than a month in advance, the expiry date will become the date of your most recent test.

Question 4

When is it legal to drive without an MOT certificate?

Accepted Answer

It is only legal to drive without a valid MOT certificate if you are on your way to a pre-booked MOT test or to have the failed defects fixed. If you are stopped by the police, you must be able to prove that you have a booked appointment and confirm it with the test centre or garage.

If you are caught on a public road without a valid MOT certificate, and you can’t meet the above criteria, you can be fined up to £1,000. There is a further £2,500 fine if your vehicle is found to be unroadworthy. You will also receive 3 points on your driving licence if it is deemed to be dangerous.

Driving without an MOT certificate also invalidates your car insurance. This brings an unlimited fine, potential disqualification from driving and 6-8 points on your licence.

Question 5

Why do MOT tests include an exhaust emissions test?

Accepted Answer

The MOT test includes an exhaust emissions test to ensure that your vehicle’s engine is operating efficiently and producing minimal air pollution. It is part of an international effort to reduce the effects of harmful carbon emissions on the planet.

If your vehicle fails the exhaust emissions test or doesn’t have enough fuel to sit this test, the tester must record an automatic MOT failure.

Question 6

How long is MOT valid?

Accepted Answer

An MOT is valid for 12 months. This is calculated from the date of your test to the exact same date the following year.

If you book your MOT early, it becomes valid for up to 13 months (the 12 months from your expiry date this year to the following year, plus up to an additional 30 days. This depends on how early you booked your MOT).

Question 7

What do I do if my MOT is overdue?

Accepted Answer

If your MOT is overdue, you must book a test immediately. It is illegal to drive on public roads in the UK without a valid MOT certificate.

You can book an MOT online today by entering your vehicle registration and postcode into our comparison site.

Question 8

Can I drive after a failed MOT?

Accepted Answer

You can only drive your car after a failed MOT if:
● The MOT certificate from the previous year is still valid
● No ‘dangerous’ faults were recorded during the failure

You must not drive your car after a failed MOT if it doesn’t meet the above requirements.

Question 9

What do I need to take to an MOT test?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to take anything except your car to an MOT test. The tester will use the DVSA database to find your existing MOT details and any other information they may need about your car.

You may wish to provide a locking wheel nut in case any repairs are needed to the wheels or tyres.

Question 10

How long does an MOT take?

Accepted Answer

An MOT usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes. Many garages offer an ‘MOT-while-you-wait’ service with waiting rooms and refreshments onsite.

If your car fails and needs extra repairs, it will take a lot longer. The test centre will be able to give you a time estimate based on the severity of your repairs.

Question 11

How do I check my MOT's current status or history?

Accepted Answer

Enter your registration into our free MOT checker to see your MOT expiry date and test history in seconds. Check your MOT status any time, no booking required.

Question 12

Do I have to pay for an MOT retest?

Accepted Answer

An MOT retest is free if your car fails on one or more of the areas listed below and the repair(s) is completed within 1 working day.

● Access Panels
● Battery
● Bonnet
● Bootlid
● Brake Pedal Antislip
● Break Glass Hammer*
● Doors (including hinges, catches and pillars)
● Door Open Warning Device*
● Dropsides
● Electrical Wiring
● Emergency Exist & Signs*
● Entrance Door Remote Control*
● Entrance/Exit Steps*
● Fuel Filler Cap
● Headlamp Cleaning or Levelling Devices (that don't need a headlight aim check)
● Horn
● Lamps (excluding headlight aim)
● Loading Door
● Main Beam 'Tell-Tale'
● Mirrors
● Rear Reflectors
● Registration Plates
● Seatbelts (not anchorages)
● Seatbelt Load Limiter
● Seatbelt Pre-Tensioner
● Seats
● Sharp Edges or Projections
● Stairs*
● Steering Wheel
● Tailboard
● Tailgate
● Trailer Electrical Sockets
● Towbars (excluding body around anchorage points)
● Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
● Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
● Windscreen Glass
● Windscreen Wipers
● Windscreen Washers
● Wheels and Tyres**
*Class 5 Only
**Excluding Motorcycles & motorcycles with sidecar

If the repair is completed within 10 working days, either by the original garage or elsewhere and then you return to the original garage for a retest, you only need to pay for a partial MOT retest. This costs less than the full fee.

If you complete the repairs yourself and choose to take your car into a different test centre, you will need to pay for the full test again.

Question 13

Will a broken car heater lead to MOT failure?

Accepted Answer

Whilst a faulty or broken car heater can be annoying, it will not usually result in MOT failure, as it is not included as one of the main checks during the test.

That being said, visibility is important, and so being able to demist the windscreen matters - visibility will be tested during the MOT, and anything that obstructs the driver's field of view significantly can be considered a defect.

If you have checked and topped up your coolant levels and are still experiencing problems with your car heater, be sure to book an appointment ahead of your MOT test with a skilled garage so that they can fix this for you.

Question 14

Can I drive a car with SORN to an MOT test?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle with SORN can only be driven on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT test or repair.

Even if your vehicle is insured, you cannot drive your SORN car other than to a pre-booked MOT test, even in an emergency.

It is important that the MOT test is booked in advance, so that you can verify your appointment with the garage in the event you are stopped and questioned by the police. You may need to provide them with proof of the appointment.

If you drive a vehicle with SORN or use it on the road for any other reason, then you could face a fine of up to £2,500, and possibly even court prosecution.

You cannot drive a vehicle to an MOT station without insurance, and you could face fines or even prosecution if you attempt to do so.

You should check your insurance documents if you are planning to drive your car to a garage without an MOT or tax, as some insurance companies may declare your insurance void without these.

Check with your cover provider, to ensure that you are not driving without insurance.

If you are not insured to drive without an MOT or tax, you can get a quote for temporary car insurance.

Certain companies offer short term cover which can allow you to deliver your car to the garage.

Question 15

Can I sell a car without an MOT?

Accepted Answer

Whilst it is not illegal to sell a car with a failed or expired MOT, you must make sure that the buyer can collect the car without having it driven on public roads - perhaps by using a loader trailer. This also means that they cannot test drive the vehicle.

Whilst it is legal to sell a car without an MOT to a car dealer, many car dealers will not wish to purchase MOT failure cars, or will offer a low price for them. This is due to the fact that MOT failure vehicles can be costly to bring up to a roadworthy condition.

Alternatively, car buying services may purchase a car without an MOT, provided you can hand over key documents, such as the V5C logbook. You may need to arrange for the vehicle to be transported if you use a car buying service.

If you are thinking to buy, note that a seller does not technically need to disclose MOT advisories, so you may wish to check the vehicle’s history before committing to a purchase.

Question 16

When does a new car need an MOT?

Accepted Answer

All new cars have 3 years until they will require their first MOT test.

Once this 3 year time period is up, the vehicle will then need an MOT once a year, every year.

Bear in mind that the vehicle's first MOT must be completed by the third anniversary of the car’s registration, rather than the date you first received it.

For example, if your registration is the 1st Jan 2024, then your new car's first MOT must be completed by the 1st Jan 2027.

New cars are usually registered by the forecourt dealer for the owner or keeper, with a V5C registration document or log book being sent to them.

Certain vehicles - such as taxis and ambulances - will need an MOT after just 1 year.

You should arrange your MOT appointment close to the third anniversary of your vehicle registration.

Registration plates are released in March and September every year, leading to an increase in demand for new cars during this period.

You may wish to have your MOT carried out in February or August to beat the MOT rush.

Going forward, you should count the 12 month period from the date indicated on your MOT test certificate to determine when to book your next MOT.

Each new MOT certificate which you are issued with will have a new expiry date, and is valid for 12 months after the vehicle passes its MOT.

Question 17

When is a car MOT exempt?

Accepted Answer

Cars older than 40 years old do not need an MOT.

However, if the car is older than 40 years old and has undergone 'substantial changes', the car will need to be MOT tested.

You will need to declare its Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI) status when you complete a V112 Form.

This new legislation was introduced in May 2018 for cars registered before May 1978.

Classic car enthusiasts will be pleased to know that this is a rolling date, meaning if you have a car that was registered on August 1st, 1982, it will now be exempt.

If this is the case for your classic car, you will still have to declare it as a Vehicle of Historic Interest.

You must do this when you are applying for your Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax exemption).

Other vehicles that are exempt from needing an MOT include tractors and goods vehicles powered by electricity and registered before 1 March 2015.

Lorries, buses and trailers do not need a traditional MOT but instead have an ‘annual vehicle test’.

If your car is eligible for MOT exemption, you can download, print and complete a copy of the V112 form via the gov.uk website.

You can then take this to your local Post Office to declare MOT exemption.

You should take your V5C log book and vehicle tax reminder letter - or V11 - with you, as well as your last valid MOT certificate.

You can still use your vehicle whilst the application is processed.

Question 18

Do electric vehicles need an MOT?

Accepted Answer

An electric car needs an MOT, just like any petrol or diesel car (ICE). It is a vital check that ensures your vehicle is safe and roadworthy for the year ahead and you must book one every year once your electric car turns 3 years old.

However, there are a few differences between an EV MOT and the test petrol and diesel vehicles sit.

You can book an MOT for your electric car through BookMyGarage.com. Just enter your reg and postcode to instantly compare EV-qualified MOT centres near you and book an appointment with the best one.

Question 19

What does 'BMG Verified' mean?

Accepted Answer

Garages marked as BMG-Verified have been assessed by our team for customer service standards, ratings and reliability.

Vehicle Make & Model	MOT
Ford Fiesta	£20–£55
Vauxhall Corsa	£20–£55
Ford Focus	£20–£55
Volkswagen Golf	£20–£55
Volkswagen Polo	£20–£55
Nissan Qashqai	£20–£55
Vauxhall Astra	£20–£55
BMW 1 Series	£20–£55
MINI Cooper	£20–£55
BMW 3 Series	£20–£55

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