No MOT and the Penalties

Established in 1960 the MOT test was introduced to ensure that vehicles that were then over ten years old were maintained to a basic standard of safety. Brakes, lights and steering were all checked. Named the ten-year-test, or the Ministry of Transport test, it then became the MOT, as it is known today.

46 years on, the MOT test still exists, but is now a yearly test that makes sure that all vehicles in the UK that are over a certain age are roadworthy and meet the desired environmental and emission requirements.

How Often Does my Vehicle Have to Have an MOT Test?

In the UK, the law states that cars and motorcycles must hold a valid MOT test certificate if they are more than three years old.

When cars are registered for first use, they are exempt from the MOT test for 3 years from the date of registration, or if the car is an import and may have been used before its UK registration then it must have an MOT at the end of the year that the car was manufactured.

Once 3 years from the date of registration pass, the owner of the car is required to have it MOT tested once a year, and the car must not be driven without an MOT.

What Happens if I Drive my Car Without an MOT?

If you do drive a vehicle without a valid MOT it will usually Invalidate your Insurance, and if you have an accident or are stopped by the police, you will be liable to face prosecution for MOT non-compliance. The only time you may drive a car without a valid MOT is if you are driving to a pre-arranged test appointment or to a garage that will carry out repairs that are required for your vehicle to pass the MOT test.

How do I go about Getting an MOT?

To undertake the test, the vehicle must be entered for an MOT at a registered testing centre where it will be examined over for a number of important checks by qualified mechanics. There are currently over 19,000 testing stations throughout the UK, and 50,000 qualified MOT testers. You will be able to tell garages that are approved to carry out MOT testing as they must display the blue three triangles logo.

I Have a Few Weeks Remaining on My MOT – Will I Lose Them if I Get it Done Early?

No you won’t. If you put your car in for its test in the month before your MOT is due, the test certificate will cover the period from the date of the MOT to one year after the expiry date of the current certificate. All you need to do is take your current test certificate with you to prove there is time remaining on it and the garage will add it on to your new one.

How Much Will it Cost?

The current cost of an MOT is £54.85 for cars, motor caravans and other vehicles with up to eight seats.

What Do they Look for During an MOT?

The following is a list of things that are on the MOT testing checklist:

• Vehicle identification number
• Registration plate
• Lights
• Steering and suspension
• Wipers and washers
• Windscreen
• Horn
• Seatbelts
• Seats
• Fuel system
• Exhaust emissions
• Exhaust system
• Vehicle
• Doors
• Mirrors
• Wheels and tyres
• Brakes

For a more in-depth look at what the testers will be looking for, please check the motoring section of the government services website at http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Green Flag Survey

On the 45th anniversary introduction of the MOT test, a leading motoring company carried out a survey in which more than one in ten motorists admitted driving without a valid MOT certificate. In the survey, Green Flag Motoring Assistance discovered that of the 2,000 motorists questioned, 12% said that they had driven a car that didn’t have an MOT certificate, despite the threat of a possible fine of £1,000 and potential disqualification.

There was also confusion reported in the research regarding what motorists thought was and was not tested during an MOT.

Common Misconceptions Were

• The spare wheel is checked as part of the MOT (80%)
• The oil, water and screen wash are checked as part of the MOT (40%)
• Battery condition is checked (50%)
• An MOT pass is an indication of the vehicle’s overall condition – if it’s passed the MOT it needs no further maintenance (20%)

When in actual fact none of the above are true.