When Is my MOT Due? How Early Can I Book an MOT Test?

Car Servicing, MOT, MOT Test Booking

MOT Background and Legal Requirements

All vehicles aged 3 years old or more need an MOT certificate that must be renewed annually. The MOT test has been commonplace as a legal requirement since 1960 and is used to test minimum safety standards, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions levels set out by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency).

During the MOT test your vehicle will be thoroughly inspected by a person accredited by the DVSA who will test for safety, roadworthiness and emissions with each result recorded. The results of this checklist will determine whether the vehicle is issued with a VT20 ‘pass’ certificate or a VT30 ‘fail’ document.

In addition to receiving the VT20 or VT30 the MOT inspector will also provide you with a list of advisory items which will require your attention in the future so you can keep tabs on them to ensure that these items are resolved.

When Is My Mot Due?

To find out when your MOT test is due you can look at your current VT20 certificate or visit the DVSA website to find the date that your MOT expires.

How Early Can I Book an MOT Test?

You can book your MOT up to 28 days in advance of expiry. Don’t worry if you are afraid of losing days through booking early because as long as it is booked within those 28 days it will not be affected.

However, if you are looking to book earlier than 28 days the MOT will be valid for 12 months from the test date. For example, if your MOT expires on the 19th October and you get it tested on the 18th September it will be valid until the 19th October the following year.

Get Prepared For Your MOT

To give your vehicle the best possible chance of passing we’ve attached the MOT Inspection Check List to give you an idea of what will be inspected on your vehicle come test day. Whilst you are unlikely to be able to spot and rectify an issue with mechanical components you can check the following:

• Oil, fuel and screen wash levels

• Are your vehicle’s headlights and tail lights working correctly and are all bulbs functioning (main beam, high beam, hazard lights, indicators, parking lights, number plate lights etc)

• Are your wipers damage free and working correctly? If they are leaving smudges or the blades are coming away they will need replacing

• Do all doors open from the inside correctly?

• Is the driver’s seat secure and does it have free movement on its runners?

• Are the seatbelts installed in your vehicle damage free and functioning correctly?

• When you turn your ignition is your dash free of warning lights?

• Is the rear view mirror damage free and securely in place?

• Does the horn work?

• Is the windscreen free of cracks and chips? If you find a crack or chip on the window that is larger than 10mm in front of the driver or 40mm within the area covered by your windscreen wipers this could present a problem.

• Are your tyres safe? They need to have at least 1.6mm tread across ¾ of the main area of the tyre and be free from cuts, bulges, lumps or any other abnormality

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