MOT Your Vehicle

What is an MOT?

An MOT is an abbreviation of Ministry of Transport Test and it is a compulsory examination of any motor vehicle over three years old. This examination is designed to help combat the use of non-Road legal vehicles on our roads and also to test the environmental friendliness of the vehicle itself.

When Should I MOT my Vehicle?

When your purchase your vehicle – it may or may not - already have a certain time to run on its MOT. Some people buy vehicles once their MOT’s have expired and tend to do the work themselves to ensure that the vehicle passes its next MOT. However for the most part when buying a used motor vehicle – especially from a car dealership – the vehicle should have a new twelve months MOT included within the price.

You should not attempt to drive any vehicle without a valid MOT for any reason as this is a criminal offence and can carry hefty penalties as well as the destruction of the vehicle itself.

An MOT lasts for approximately twelve months and can be renewed at any time within the last month of the twelve month period. As we have already mentioned an MOT is essential for any vehicle over three years old and being used on the road. Without a valid MOT you will not be able to re-tax your vehicle.

Where do I MOT my Vehicle?

There are many hundreds of garages up and down the country who specialise in putting motor vehicles through their MOT. These garages are part of the MOT Scheme – a scheme undertaken and overseen by the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA).

The Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) operate a network of approved garages who undertake work relating to MOTs as well as the tests themselves. In addition they have recently introduced a computerised MOT system whereby all MOTs are sent via a specific piece of software to the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) central computer where all records are kept. This is done to reduce the risk of fraudulent MOTs being produced.

You will find details of your local MOT centres in Yellow pages or online at the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) website.

What will an MOT Find?

If there are structural, electrical or mechanical failings with your vehicle then these will show up during the MOT. The purpose of the MOT is to test the vehicle in a number of conditions and also to thoroughly check the electrics and the mechanics of the vehicle.

The MOT will cover such areas of your vehicle as:

• Lights (including indicators, headlights, brake lights)
• Seatbelts
• Areas of rust (structural integrity)
• Brakes
• Steering
• Gears
• Emissions

All of the areas covered in the MOT are laid down by law and included in the MOT testing and inspection manual.

What Happens if Your Car Fails its MOT?

If your vehicle fails to pass its MOT inspection then you can have it retested after the work has been carried out to rectify the problems. You can have the garage that tested your car carry out the work for you or you can take it to any garage of your choice. However the work must be carried out to a standard that will make passing the MOT possible on its second attempt.

You should be aware that it is in your best interests to have any problems with the car put right as soon as possible in order to have it retested. Without a valid MOT certificate not only can you not re-tax the vehicle but by law you should not have it on the road.

You can however drive the vehicle to and from the test centre and also to and from the garage where the repair work is being carried out. These are the only two occasions in which the vehicle is allowed to be on the road without a valid MOT certificate.

Also if this is the case you should check with your insurance company to find out if their insurance will cover you for these journeys. Some insurance companies will negate your insurance policy if you drive your vehicle without a valid MOT certificate.

MOT Certificates

You will be issued with an MOT certificate on your vehicle’s successful passing of the test. This certificate is valid for one year from the day of the vehicle’s passing the test and you should keep it in a safe place. If you lose the certificate you can obtain a duplicate from the testing centre where the car was originally tested but this will carry a nominal fee which should cost no more than £10.