In the UK, annual MOT tests are a legal requirement for any vehicle over three years old.
You might be surprised by what can cause your vehicle to fail its MOT, with many vehicles coming up short due to relatively minor issues which could have easily been prevented prior to the test.
So, to help ensure your vehicle passes its MOT, we’ve put together some useful information and handy tips to help you conduct your very own pre-MOT check.
MOT FAQ's
What is an MOT?
An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test checks that your vehicle is roadworthy, properly maintained, and meets minimum road safety and environmental standards. An MOT test covers all the components that make your vehicle work, from brakes and exhausts to steering and suspension.
If you have a vehicle that is three or more years old, you are legally required to put your car in for an annual MOT test at an approved MOT centre.
When should you get an MOT?
You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:
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The third anniversary of its registration*
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The anniversary of its last MOT if it’s over three years old
* Certain vehicles including ambulances, taxis and some private passenger vehicles require an MOT test on the first anniversary of their registration.
You just need your vehicle’s number plate (registration number) to check your MOT expiry date.
You can have your MOT test carried out up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out without it affecting your MOT expiry date.
You can get an MOT earlier than this but be aware this will change your renewal date. The new renewal date for the following year will then change to one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle last passed its MOT.
How much does an MOT cost?
The cost of an MOT depends on the type of vehicle. You will however be happy to know that there is a maximum amount that MOT test stations can charge for each category of vehicle.
The maximum charge for a car MOT is currently £54.85, with standard motorbike MOT’s costing £29.65. The most expensive MOT charge is for Class 5 vehicles (passenger carrying vehicles with more than 16 passenger seats).
You can find a full list of MOT test fees here.
Can I drive without an MOT?
No. As a valid MOT is a legal requirement you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
The only exception is that you can drive your vehicle to its MOT test, providing the test has been pre-booked.
If you own a vehicle and are not planning on driving it, you must keep it off the road and declare it SORN.
Is there a grace period for an MOT?
No. There is no leeway period if you miss your MOT’s renewal date. Many people believe there is a two week ‘grace period’ for lapsed MOT’s, but, despite the apparent popularity of this belief, it is in fact a myth.
If you have your vehicle’s registration number, you can check your MOT expiry date here.
Do electric vehicles need an MOT test?
Yes, every vehicle that you drive on the road requires a MOT test, as this ensures that it it’s safe to drive for both you and other road users. What is looked at differs slightly from a petrol or diesel MOT test, but the focus is still the same: is this vehicle safe to drive?
You can read more about the differences in EV services and MOTs here.
How can you make sure your vehicle is safe to drive?
Even with a valid MOT, you must ensure your vehicle is safe to drive. If you’re caught driving a vehicle which is deemed unroadworthy, you can be fined up to £2,500 and get three penalty points on your licence or even be banned from driving.
Some checks should be conducted periodically, and others every time you drive, as explained below:
Every time you drive, check:
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The windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean and clear of obstructions In snowy conditions, make sure your roof is clear of snow.
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All lights work.
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The brakes work.
Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you how often to service your car, and how regularly to check the following:
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Engine oil
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Water level in the radiator or expansion tank
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Brake fluid level
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Battery
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Windscreen and rear window washer bottles - top up with windscreen washer fluid if necessary
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Tyres - they must have the correct tread depth and be free of cuts and defects
Simple checks to make sure your vehicle passes its MOT
Most of the MOT focuses on the exterior of your vehicle, concentrating on things such as your wheels and tyres, bodywork, brakes and steering and lights. To help you avoid any nasty and potentially expensive MOT surprises, we suggest you cover the following areas as part of your pre-MOT checklist.
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Interior checks
There are a few key areas for you to check within your cabin. -
Handbrake
Your handbrake should safely hold the car stationary, especially on an incline. -
Rear-view mirror
Your rear-view mirror should be free from obstruction, with no air fresheners or decorations that could affect your visibility. -
Seats and seatbelts
The driver’s seat should adjust forwards and backwards. All seatbelts should be the right length and in good working order. Pull sharply on each seatbelt to check that they react as they should if you were to suddenly brake. -
Horn
Your horn should emit a long singular tone and be loud enough to be heard by another road user. -
Interior warning lights
Turn on your car to ensure all dashboard lights are working as they should; usually a number of lights will light up when you start the car (handbrake, ABS, airbag, etc) but they should turn off before you begin driving. It is important to check that none of the warning lights remain lit.
Exterior checks
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Steering
Make sure the power steering is working and your steering wheel lock works as it should. -
Headlights and indicators
Check that all of your car’s lights function properly, including the headlights, sidelights, rear lights, hazard lights and indicators. You can do this from inside the car if you’re parked near a reflective surface such as a window. -
Brake lights
While stationary, ask a friend to stand in a safe place where they can see the back of your car, or again, reverse up to a reflective surface such as a window and use your mirrors to check for yourself. Press the brake pedal to check that the lights are all working. -
Number plate
Ensure the number plates are clean and legible. The letter spacing and font must also comply with legal requirements. -
Mirrors
All mirrors should be in place and held securely with the glass intact. -
Boot, bonnet and doors
Test that the boot, bonnet and doors all open and shut securely. Try to get any issues fixed prior to your MOT to avoid failing. -
Tyres
There must be tread across the middle three quarters and around the entire tyre. Tread depth must also be adequate for the type of vehicle you own: -
Cars, light vans and light trailers - 1.6 millimetres (mm)
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Motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles - 1mm
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Mopeds - only need visible tread
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Windscreen and wipers
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Your car’s windscreen wipers must keep your windscreen clean and clear of water. Tears or holes in the wiper rubber could cause an MOT fail.
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A chip or a crack in the windscreen measuring larger than 40mm will result in an MOT fail, as will damage wider than 10mm in the area swept by your driver side windscreen wiper.
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Screenwash
It might come as a surprise, but something as minor as an empty screenwash container can result in an MOT fail, so make sure you top up the washer bottle before the test. -
Fuel and engine oil
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Ensure all fluid levels are all topped up. Your vehicle should have adequate oil and fuel levels for the tester to carry out the necessary emissions tests.
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Your fuel cap should also lock properly, and the seal inside should not be worn or split.
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Exhaust
Listen out for an unusual rattle or an excessively noisy exhaust. These could be signs that there is an issue with the system, which could result in an immediate fail.
Having completed your pre-MOT check, your vehicle will now be better prepared for its full MOT test inspection.
What is checked in an MOT?
An MOT test takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete and checks the following areas:
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Electrical equipment – headlights, brake lights, indicators and fog lights
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Steering
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Tyres – including tread depth and condition of tyres
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Suspension – shock absorbers and any corrosion or wear
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Brakes – condition of pedals and efficiency
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Seat belts and seats
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Exhausts and emissions
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Mirrors, wipers and windscreen
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Vehicle Identification Number (VPN) – ensuring this is properly displayed
What else can fail a car MOT test?
The checklist above will definitely help give your vehicle the best chance of passing the MOT. However, there are other parts of the car that could cause a failure.
This includes:
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Airbag
If the airbag is defective, this is a fail. The passenger airbag should also always be switched on. -
Car battery
A leaking or insecure battery could lead to a fail. -
Engine warning light
If this is on, this will be classed as a major fault and therefore a fail. -
Bodywork
Sharp edges on the bodywork are not permitted, while excessive rust or corrosion in safety-related parts may also result in a fail. -
Emissions
With growing concerns about air quality and environmental impact, vehicles are now subjected to more rigorous emission tests, particularly diesel cars. -
Tow bar
If your car has one fitted, it should be secure and not damaged.
What happens if my vehicle fails its MOT test?
If your vehicle fails its MOT, it means it doesn’t meet legal requirements and must be repaired and retested to comply with MOT test standards. In most cases, this is not a huge problem and, depending on the issue, the garage may be able to carry out a repair and retest on the same day.
The garage will provide you with a failure document and advise on retest rules.
If repairs are carried out within ten days of the original test, you should be able to get a partial retest on the faults that have been rectified. This retest is usually free for a range of items, including wheels, tyres, wipers, mirrors and doors.
If the vehicle is retested 10 days after the original test, you'll be charged the full fee. You will also be charged the full fee if the partial retest fails - once further repairs are carried out.
Can you drive your car if it fails the MOT?
Technically you can – but only if your existing MOT certificate is still in date and valid. This can only happen if you had the car tested before its expiry date and no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed on the MOT result. However, if you have any ‘minor’ or ‘major’ problems, you need to get these faults corrected by the MOT’s date of expiry or you won’t get a new certificate.
Please note, driving a car that has failed its MOT is never recommended. If the car is not considered roadworthy, you could be prosecuted.
What is an MOT advisory note?
You may be in a situation where your car has passed its MOT, but some ‘minor’ issues have been identified. This just means that the problems aren’t serious enough for the car to fail but they will most likely need addressing in the future.
These are warnings that shouldn’t be ignored, as they could affect your next MOT test, or even affect the resale value of the car.
In the meantime, if you’re missing any of the parts, consumables or tools and equipment needed to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape, make sure to check our wide selection of vehicle essentials available at Autoparts.
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