MOTs - Ministry of Transport

If you own a car that is at least three years old, you are legally obliged to book it in for a Ministry of Transport (MoT) test to prove that it is roadworthy. You won't be called for an MoT test or notified when the next one is due, so it is up to you to make sure that your vehicle has an annual inspection.

What is an MoT test?

The person who carries out your MoT test must be authorised by the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA). He or she will do a full inspection of the vehicle, including checks to the inside, outside, underside and underneath the bonnet. Your vehicle will only pass the full test if the tester ticks all of these areas off on the form. If your vehicle does not meet the required standards, you will be given a VT30 document to confirm that it has failed the MoT test. In some cases, the tester may highlight areas that have passed the test, but still need checking on a regular basis.

What Happens if My Car Doesn't have an MOT Test?

It is against the law to drive a car that has not passed an MoT test (and therefore does not have an MoT certificate to confirm this). It is now even easier for VOSA and the police to check your MoT status as a result of the computerised MoT systems that have recently been introduced.

You are likely to be given a fine if you do not have an MoT certificate. It may also affect insurance claims in the future, unless you can prove that your vehicle was roadworthy when the accident happened. You will not receive any penalty points on your driving license. Depending on your driving history, you could receive a summons, but it is unlikely that you would have to attend a court hearing in person.

Attending the MoT

When you take your vehicle for its MoT, make sure that you also have your Vehicle Registration Document (V5). It is also advisable to take payment along (cash or credit card). For most road cars, it costs £50.35 for an MoT.

What Happens if I am not Happy with My Car's MoT Results?

If you feel that your MoT tester did not do an adequate or correct job, you should speak to the garage that carried out your MoT to see if there is anything that you have misunderstood. If repairs to your car are needed, you should postpone these in case the result was wrong. If you are still unhappy, you can contact VOSA.

Appeal forms (VT17) are available at MoT testing centres. Alternatively, you obtain a form by contacting VOSA. The appeal form needs to be sent back within 14 days of your vehicle's MoT. You also need to send VOSA the payment for a new MoT. They will schedule a new MoT for your vehicle, and if your appeal is upheld, the money will be refunded to you. It is important not to have any repairs carried out on your vehicle before the rescheduled MoT, as this could affect the result of your appeal.