What You Should Know Before Taking Your MOT A Ministry of Transport, or MOT, test examines the overall condition of your vehicle and its components to ensure that it is safe and fulfills the DVSA's mandatory safety and environmental criteria. The MOT test for your car is required once a year and is a legal requirement for all road vehicles. The MOT must be performed by a qualified vehicle technician and requires specialized testing equipment. Enquire now for the best MOT service packages book online. What is the best way to find out when my MOT is due? An MOT is valid for one year. The last pass certificate has the expiration date printed on it. The DVSA does not remind you of your MOT renewal date, unlike your road tax. All of our customers' vehicles receive free MOT reminders via email or text. Your car must have its first MOT test on the third anniversary of its registration, as well as every year thereafter. So, if you purchased a new vehicle on March 1, 2019, your first MOT would be due on March 1, 2022. The next MOT will take place on March 1, 2023, and every year after that. How close do I have to get my vehicle checked before it expires? You can have your car tested up to 30 days before the expiration date and keep the expiration date. e.g. If your MOT expires on July 1, 2019, the earliest you may get a MOT to keep your renewal date for the next year is June 1, 2019. You can get your MOT done earlier, but next year's MOT renewal date will be different. Your MOT is valid for a year, and the date it expires is printed on your most recent pass certificate. What are the differences between a MOT and a Service? The key distinction is that a MOT is required, whilst a service is not. A MOT examines the overall condition of the vehicle and its components to ensure that it is roadworthy and fulfills the DVSA's mandated safety and environmental standards. The service inspects the vehicle's mechanical condition to ensure that it is operating at peak performance. Can I drive away if my car fails its MOT? If your car fails its MOT but the existing MOT certificate is still valid, you can still drive the vehicle. However, we would advise against doing so because it has not passed the most current MOT. When contemplating this, your safety and the safety of other road users is critical.