New vehicles have to be MOT tested when they first reach 3 years of age, then every year after that.

An MOT can be carried out at any time. MOT certificates are normally valid for one year from the date of the test, however if a vehicle is presented for test within one calendar month prior to the date that the MOT is due, the test certificate will run from the date of the test to  the anniversary of the expiry date of the current certificate.

Your MOT certificate confirms that at the time the vehicle was presented for test it met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law. It does not mean that the vehicle is either legal or safe to use for the life of the certificate and is not a substitute for regular maintenance.

The MOT testing scheme has now been computerised with all test stations adopting the new system by the end of March 2006. This means that it is now far easier to obtain a duplicate for a lost or damaged certificate and you can now buy your road tax online. For further details of the MOT testing scheme please click here.

MOT Testing