You can check your MOT due date for free in under a minute. Go to GOV.UK, search for "check MOT status", and type in your registration number. The expiry date is shown straight away, along with the full test history of the car.
If you would rather not rely on a reminder, the date is also printed on last year's certificate. Here is how the dates work, how early you can test, and what to do if yours has already slipped by.
How to check your MOT due date
- Find your registration number. It is on the number plate, the V5C logbook and your insurance documents.
- Search for "check MOT status" on GOV.UK and open the official page. It is free, so avoid any site that asks you to pay.
- Enter the registration and read the expiry date.
- Put the date in your phone calendar a month before it, so you have time to book and to fix anything that needs doing.
The same GOV.UK tool shows past results, including any advisories from last time. That is worth a look before you book, because those advisories are the things most likely to turn into a fail this year.
When does a new car need its first MOT?
In Great Britain a car needs its first MOT on the third anniversary of its registration. After that it is every year. Northern Ireland has its own rules, so if the car has moved from there, check the date carefully.
The government has looked at moving the first test to four years more than once, and each time it decided to keep it at three. So the three year rule stands.
How early can you get an MOT?
You can have the MOT done up to a month, minus a day, before the current one runs out, and the new certificate will still run from the old renewal date. So if your MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest you can test and keep the same date is 16 April.
Test any earlier than that and your renewal date moves. The new certificate then runs for one year, minus a day, from the day you passed. Nothing is lost by testing early, but you do give up a few weeks of cover each year, so it is not worth doing without a reason.
Why booking early is a good idea
- If the car fails, you still have time to repair it and retest before the old certificate expires.
- You choose the day, rather than taking whatever is left in the last week.
- A garage can book parts in properly instead of rushing them.
- You are never tempted to drive on after the date has gone.
What if my MOT has already run out?
Without a valid MOT you can only drive the car to a pre-booked MOT test, or to a garage for repairs after a fail. Anything else risks a fine of up to £1,000, and your insurer may not pay out if something goes wrong. We explain the rules in full in can you drive without an MOT.
If you are in that position, the simplest thing is to book online or give us a call and we will fit you in as soon as we can.
Quick answers
How long does an MOT certificate last?
A year, minus a day. If you test within the month before your old one runs out, the new certificate keeps the same renewal date.
Does my MOT date change if I test early?
Only if you test more than a month, minus a day, early. Inside that window the renewal date stays the same. Earlier than that, the new date is one year, minus a day, from your test.
Does a new car need an MOT?
Yes, on the third anniversary of its registration in Great Britain. Until then it does not need one.
Can I book my MOT online with M D Auto Care?
Yes. Use our online booking form. A service adviser reviews your request and confirms your time, or suggests another that works.