MOT certificate guidance

Help with online & offline MOT documents and paperwork

MOT pass or fail
Appealing a test decision
Driving with a failed test
MOT due date
MOT certificate examples
Citations

Image displaying a modern test certificate issued by the Ministry of Transport

Either Pass or Fail

An MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate provides evidence that a vehicle met minimum requirements in road safety and environmental law at the time and mileage of its MOT test.

See our free mileage check guide for more information.

The certificate does not mean a vehicle remains safe, legal and roadworthy for the duration of its valid certificate period (the whole 12-months). A vehicle must be maintained regularly to ensure it’s kept in a fit condition to be driven on the road.

If you have lost or damaged the original, it’s easy to obtain a new one. See our quick guide on a lost MOT certificate and how to get a replacement, for free.

Passing an MOT

If a vehicle has passed its MOT, there is a certificate provided by the test centre
This is recorded in the MOT database for future reference

During its test, a vehicle may incur minor advisory items to repair or fix later. The driver is expected to monitor such car parts and have them repaired or replaced if they rapidly deteriorate.

Failing an MOT

A vehicle fails its test when there are car parts deemed as significant or dangerous. It may be unlawful to drive the vehicle on the road until those car parts of repaired or replaced.

There may also be a list of advisory or ‘minor’ issues to monitor, repair or replace in future.

When a vehicle has failed its MOT test, a ‘refusal of an MOT’ is provided from the test centre
This is recorded in the MOT database for future reference

Appealing an MOT test decision

It is possible to appeal a refusal if there are grounds to do so.

There is a legal right via these common channels:

Trading Standards: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office
Personal legal proceedings: https://www.gov.uk/find-a-legal-adviser
Reporting the MOT centre to the Police: https://www.gov.uk/contact-police

Driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT

Provided there were no dangerous or significant issues found during the MOT test, and the vehicle still has a valid MOT, it may be legal to drive on the road (minimum standards of roadworthiness). If not, the vehicle will need to be repaired first.

Find detailed information on what is an MOT failure including how to avoid common issues for future tests.

Driving a vehicle with dangerous or significant mechanical issues may result in a large fine of up to £2,500. Drivers can also incur penalty points or even be banned from driving for a set period.

MOT due date

In most instances, when a vehicle is 3-years old or more it is illegal to drive it on the road without a current MOT test certificate.

The exceptions are:

Driving to a pre-booked MOT test centre for a test
Driving to a repair centre after a failed test so the vehicle may be repaired
Driving to a pre-booked MOT test centre for a test after the vehicle was registered as SORN with DVLA

You can check MOT due date and date of renewal (retest). CarVeto provides this information for free. We also include full MOT history for any UK vehicle registered in the UK. Records begin from the year 2005.

1. Due date of MOT

MOT renewal date

Enter a reg number in the field below

This link also shows how to check an MOT on a car

Modern MOT test certificates

In April 2018, old-style MOTs were abolished to prepare for new MOT test rules that were rolled out in May 2019.

A simple portrait styled A4 test certificate is provided for vehicles that have passed their latest MOT test.

Defects (also known as Advisory items) are displayed on the mot certificate with the expectation they are repaired as soon as possible (although not a legal requirement).