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The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:

• the third anniversary of its registration
• the anniversary of its last MOT, if it's over 3 years old

Some vehicles need to be tested at one year old, such as Ambulances, Taxis, or Private Passenger Vehicles with more than 8 seats.

Please note, you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is printed on the last pass certificate. You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.

You can't drive your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.

The only exceptions are to drive it:

• to or from somewhere to be repaired
• to a pre-arranged MOT test

During the MOT, important parts on your vehicle will be checked to make sure they meet the legal standards.

You can watch the test from a viewing area but you're not allowed to interrupt the tester.

The test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.

For more information on which parts of your vehicle are tested, visit gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals

Your vehicle can either pass or fail the MOT. If it fails, you'll get a list of things that need to be fixed.

Passing the MOT

If your vehicle passes the MOT:

• you'll get an MOT certificate from the test centre
• it will be recorded in the MOT database

Mileage reading

The MOT certificate will show the mileage recorded at the current and previous 3 test passes. This is shown as the 'odometer reading and history'.

Report any mistakes with the latest reading to the MOT centre within 7 days. They will give you a replacement certificate.

Mistakes on an earlier mileage can't be changed.

Failing the MOT

If your vehicle fails the MOT:

• you'll get a 'refusal of an MOT test certificate' from the test centre
• it will be recorded in the MOT database

You can appeal the result if you think it's wrong.

Driving a vehicle that's failed

You must not drive the vehicle on the road if it fails the test, except to:

• have the failed defects fixed
• a pre-arranged MOT test appointment

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

You don't need to get an MOT for a vehicle that hasn't reached the age its first MOT is needed.

Exempt vehicles

Other vehicles that don't need an MOT include:

• cars and motorcycles made before 1960
• goods vehicles powered by electricity
• tractors

A list of exempt types of vehicles is on form V112. You need to fill in the form if your vehicle is listed so that you can tax it.