MOT expiry explained

An MOT certificate normally lasts one year. In Great Britain a car's first MOT is due by the third anniversary of its registration (fourth anniversary in Northern Ireland).

Testing early

You can have an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before the current certificate expires and keep the same renewal date.

Driving without a valid MOT

Driving a vehicle that needs an MOT without a valid certificate can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and may affect your insurance. The main exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT test or to have repairs carried out to pass the test.

Why expiry dates can look odd

If a vehicle was tested early, the new certificate runs from the old expiry date, so the expiry may be more than a year after the test date. A failed test does not change the expiry date of an existing certificate.