Check the Current & Historical MOT & Tax status of any vehicle

For most of us, getting the annual MOT check is just part and parcel of being a motorist. Not every vehicle on the road needs a MOT test though. If you understand the exemptions, this should help you work out whether your car falls into one of the exempt categories. Historic and Classic Vehicles The main group of vehicles which is exempt from the MOT test are historic or classic vehicles. There is a firm legal definition of historic laid out by the government. For most cars and motorcycles, the exemption kicks in 40 years from the date of the car’s first registration. If however the car has been substantially overhauled in the past 30 years than that doesn’t apply. So for example, if you’ve bought the shell of a 50 year old car and put in a whole new engine, then it won’t qualify for the historic exemption. Even if your car is too old to qualify for a MOT test, you have a legal responsibility to make sure it is roadworthy and safe. For this reason, many owners of vintage vehicles put them through an annual MOT test anyway. But that’s a decision which is up to you, and is purely voluntary. Discuss the possibilities with a local garage. You might also need guidance on whether changes you’ve made to your vehicle are enough to count as substantive changes for MOT purposes. There is extensive guidance online, but you might need the help of a mechanic to interpret the jargon. Other Historic Vehicles If you own a vintage bus, lorry or other large vehicle then different rules apply. Vehicles first registered before 1960 don’t need a MOT test, unless they’ve been altered in the last 30 years. Take advice from a historic vehicle expert if you’re not sure whether your car qualifies. You still need to ensure that any vehicle is roadworthy if you’re going to use them on the public road. Steam powered vehicles are all exempt from MOTs, whatever their age. Electric Vehicles and Tractors If you operate electric goods vehicles such as a delivery van, you won’t need to put it through a MOT. The same rules apply to tractors, which are exempt from MOT tests whatever the age of the vehicle and irrespective of whether it’s sometimes driven short distances on the road. Electric and hybrid cars which are used on the public road will need a MOT test, but are exempt from the emissions and exhaust section of the test. Private Land The other exemption is for vehicles which are purely driven on private land. If you’re a farmer who has an old truck which you use to get around the farm and never take it on the public roads, then you don’t need to get it an MOT. You don’t have to tax or insure it either, you just use it at your own risk. This also applies to other types of vehicles such as motorbikes or quad bikes as long as they are never taken on the road.

The MOT system has been running for well over 50 years in the UK, and thousands of tests are carried out every year without any problems. In order to qualify as a MOT tester, mechanics have to go through an extensive government training programme. This is designed to ensure that the MOT test is carried out as fairly as is possible and that all centres in the UK are following the same process and standards. But as with any process involving people, there is the possibility of human error. So that’s why the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a complaints process for helping people who think their car has failed its MOT where it should have passed. Complain to the Centre If you get a call to say your car has failed its MOT and you’re sure it should have passed, the first thing to do is to raise it there and then with the test centre. Whoever performed the MOT should be able to take you through the process in detail, and explain exactly where your vehicle doesn’t come up to standard. If you are disputing a failed test, then don’t agree to any work being carried out. Fill in the Form Online If you’re still not happy about the reasons you’ve been given for your car failing its MOT, you can then start the formal complaints process. Fill in the online form which is available through the DVSA website, and email it to the address given. You should do this within 14 working days of the test result which you are disputing. You can also fill in the form, print it off and send it by post, but this obviously takes longer. DVSA will then get in touch and arrange with you to have your car re-tested at another site. You will have to pay for this second test. If the second test confirms that your car should have passed, then you should be able to reclaim the cost. Unwarranted Repairs Most people complain about MOT tests because they think the garage is deliberately failing cars in order to make more money from unnecessary repairs. Remember that you are well within your rights in many cases to take your car to another garage for a second opinion before you agree to any repairs. If however the first garage has said your car is unroadworthy, you can’t drive it away; you’ll have to arrange to have it towed or put on a trailer. If you are correct in your suspicion that a garage is trying to con you into unnecessary work, then this isn’t something the DVSA can go anything about. You should report the garage to your local Council’s Trading Standards department, giving as much information as you have about what happened. In very serious cases, you could also consider approaching the police. You might also wish to seek legal advice about whether you can sue the garage for any costs and expenses you have incurred.

Remember the old days where taxing your car meant traipsing to the Post Office with your MOT certificate and insurance documents? The government abolished the little circular tax discs back in 2014, as the DVLA moved to an online system instead. From a driver’s perspective it’s much easier as you can get your car tax online at any time of the day or night, and don’t need hard copies of your MOT or insurance documents. Despite the changes in the system, you still need a valid MOT to tax your car, and drive it legally. Taxing your Car Online The government website is designed to be able to recognise which cars need a MOT and which don’t. So if your car is under three years old, you won’t be asked to enter a MOT certificate number as the system will recognise your car is too young to need one. Similarly, if you drive a classic car which is more than 30 years old, the system will recognise that it’s too old to require a MOT. Many classic cars over 30 years old don’t pay car tax either. If your car falls between those two limits, you will need a MOT. Using the Website The tax your vehicle website has been designed to be as simple to use as possible. The first thing you’ll need is the 16 digit reference number from the green V11 reminder form which you receive in the post when your tax is due. Enter the number, and you’ll then be asked to confirm the details of your vehicle. Check details of the make, model and colour are correct, as this determines how the tax is calculated. In general, less polluting vehicles with smaller engines pay less tax. Electric vehicles don’t pay any tax at all. Bands of tax change regularly according to government policy, and you can always look up the latest tax bands online. The MOT Certificate Since the MOT system has moved online, the design of the certificate has changed too. You will still receive a statement of the MOT pass or fail, with the certificate number clearly printed on the top. However, this looks more like a computer print out than the official certificate which we’re used to. All you really need from this certificate though is the number. Plug in all the relevant details into the website and then enter your credit card details to pay your car tax. When you pay your tax online, this is automatically updated on the DVLA and police database. Police don’t need to go through the process of manually checking paper tax discs any more. Police cars are fitted with automatic software which will make a noise when a car with no tax or no MOT passes. In theory, it should make it much more difficult for people to get away with not having their car taxed. Not having car tax or a valid MOT on your car results in fines, points on your licence and in the worst case scenario, having your car towed away and crushed.

Car ownership can be an expensive business. And we’re not just talking about fuel and other running costs like insurance or tyres. One of the biggest annual costs can be the MOT test, and repairs for any defects which are detected along the way. Some cost is unavoidable. But shop smart the next time your car needs a MOT and you could spend a lot less than you might imagine. MOT Fees – not set in stone There is a huge misconception that the fee set by the government for a MOT test is the standard fee across the board. That’s not the case. The fee listed by the government is a maximum fee only. Garages are free to charge whatever they like, up to the maximum. This gives garages the opportunity to discount less popular MOT slots, or offer cheap MOTs when people book a service or order new tyres at the same time. If you can be flexible about when and where you get your MOT done, you could secure a much lower fee. Know Your Rights Most of the cost of an MOT is the cost of having any repairs done, not the test itself. So know your rights when it comes to having your car fixed. If your car fails on a major fault, then you don’t have to agree to have it fixed by the testing garage. You would drive it away, assuming the previous MOT is still in date, and get someone else to fix it. Take it back to the same testing station within 10 working days, and you’ll be able to get a partial retest at a reduced, or free rate. If however your car fails on a fault marked as dangerous, you can’t drive it away and the easiest option is to have it fixed on site. Don’t be bullied into work by a garage employee using pressure selling techniques. Remember also that minor faults or advisories are just that. They are not components which need fixed right away. Another option is to use a Council run testing station. The advantage of these places is that they don’t do repairs, so have no vested interest in finding fault with your car. Lots of drivers feel that an impartial service is worth paying a bit more for. The downside is that if your car does fail, then you have to shop around again to find someone to fix it for you. Timing of the MOT You also have some flexibility over the timing of your MOT, which you can use to your advantage when booking a test slot. If your MOT runs out, for example, at the end of July 2019, you can have it tested any time in July and the validity of the MOT will be added to end of the current period, so to the end of July 2020. Having this flexibility over when you get your MOT done means you don’t have to be rushed into a decision and a last-minute booking the day before the current certificate runs out.

You’re probably aware that in the last year or so the rules about MOT tests have changed. Gone are the days of a straight pass or fail on your test certificate. Faults on MOT certificates are now split into three different categories: minor, major and dangerous. Minor faults aren’t a fail at all. This category of fault replaces the old advisories. A minor fault is just a formal way of letting you know that a part of your car needs attention, and that if you don’t give the car the correct attention, it might fail next time round. A Dangerous Fault is a Fail Unlike minor faults, dangerous faults are an automatic fail on your MOT. If even one element of the test is flagged as dangerous, the MOT inspector simply isn’t allowed to issue a pass certificate. There are lots of different elements on the test which could be classed as dangerous, bur they all are serious enough to make the car unroadworthy. A dangerous fault could be something like a seatbelt not working properly, tyres which don’t meet the minimum depth of tread or faulty brakes. If a tester finds a dangerous fault while carrying out your MOT test, they’ll probably ring you to tell you. You have a couple of options for getting your cat back on the road. You might, after talking to the mechanic, agree that they should do whatever repairs are necessary to bring the car up to scratch. If you agree to this, there is usually no fee for a re-test after a short period of time. You might also choose to take your car away and have it fixed elsewhere. If you’ve been told though that the fault is dangerous, the one thing you won’t be able do to is drive it away. If you want to take it away for repair, you’ll have to have it towed away, or loaded onto a trailer. Retesting When your car is tested, the mechanic will enter the details of the test, and the result, onto a government database. This means that the police have a constantly updated list of which cars have valid tax, MOT and insurance. If your car has failed a MOT with a dangerous fault, it shouldn’t be on the road. If you’re caught driving before you’ve had the fault fixed and your car retested, you’re breaking the law. Fines can be up to £2500, with points on your driving licence too. This even applies if your old MOT certificate hasn’t run out yet. Whatever you decide to do, if you take your vehicle back to the same testing centre within 10 working days, you’ll only need a partial retest. The mechanic will just test the bits the car failed on, so the test is quicker. It’s up to the garage what they charge for a partial retest. Some will do it free of charge. If you leave it longer than 10 working days, then you will be charged the full fee for a new MOT from scratch.

So many more government services are online these days, and it’s certainly made our lives easier. Gone are paper tax discs, filling in paper forms to calculate your tax, and lots of other official paperwork too. One of the consequences of this move to digital is that we can all get a lot more information about MOT, both the car’s current status and the history of the car too. Current Status One of the most used services on the DVSA website is to check the current status of a car in terms of its tax and MOT. All you need to do this is the car’s registration number. Enter the registration into the website, and then confirm the make and model before seeing the full information about the vehicle. Ticks in the boxes for car tax and MOT confirms that your car is taxed and has a valid MOT. You can run this check on any car, as long as you know the registration number. It’s a tool many people use to check up on abandoned cars in their street. MOT History If you’re buying a used car, you can also check up on its MOT history. Again, all you need is the registration number. The DVSA database will display all the MOT details held about the car since 2005. The web page will show the type of car and its colour, along with whether it is petrol or diesel. Once you’re on the page for the right car, you’ll see all previous MOT results. On the left, either pass or fail will be listed in large capital letters – it’s hard to miss. You can also see the mileage of the car at the previous test. Look back through the years to check that there’s no fiddling of the mileage between tests. If the car has failed a previous MOT, the details of this will be given. The website will also list any advisory items on a previous MOT. It’s a good way of getting an idea of the mechanical history of a car, and working out whether the price being charged is fair. This is a very popular service, with around 4.5 million searches on the website every year. Future Developments There is lots of information on the DVSA website about their future plans for adding more information to the database. One of the most recent additions is information about outstanding manufacturer safety recalls on a car. Test details for lorries and buses are due to be added shortly, as the current information just covers cars, motorcycles, minibuses and vans. Northern Irish MOT will also be available online in the near future. In the longer term, the government is looking at combining all different databases about drivers and cars into one website. However, with bigger issues such as Brexit taking up so much government time, it seems likely that we could all be waiting quite some time for this to happen.

Although the MOT test itself isn’t a huge sum of money, the cost of getting things fixed can be. And if you’re being pushed into making a decision about repairs over the phone because your car has just failed, it could cost large sums of money. You don’t have to be an expert mechanic to give your car the once-over before submitting it for its MOT. There are a few very simple checks you can do which will maximise your car’s chances of passing, and minimise your expense. Mirrors Check that both the rear-view mirrors are intact and working properly. If you can’t adjust the mirrors properly, this could be a fail on the MOT. Similarly any cracks, dirt or stickers which obstruct your view could also be marked down as a fail. The law only says that your offside mirror – or driver’s side wing mirror – should be working, Minor defects with the mirror on the passenger side shouldn’t be a MOT fail. Tyres Another common reason for failing is lack of tyre tread. Tyres without sufficient tread can be dangerous, and can affect braking especially in the wet. The legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. If you don’t have a special gadget to measure tread depth, use a 20p coin instead. You shouldn’t be able to see the outer band around the coin. If you can, your tyre tread may be borderline and it’s worth having them professional tested before MOT time. Lights The MOT also specifies which lights should be working in order for your car to pass its MOT. You might need the help of a friend to stand on the road as you switch the lights on and off, checking each one comes on and switches off properly. The most common defect with lights is a blown bulb. On some cars this is a very easy fix, on others sealed units makes replacements much more tricky. There are plenty of instructional videos online walking you step by step through how to replace bulbs. Windscreen Fluid and Wipers Check that there is enough water in the reservoir to clean your windscreen, as this is also tested during a MOT. Take a look at your wiper blades too, they should be intact and not tattered or split. Wiper blades are also very easy to change and your car’s manual should tell you which ones you need to buy for your particular make and model of car. While you’re inspecting the windscreen, check it over for any chips or cracks which could obstruct a driver’s view. Warning Lights One of the most recent changes to the MOT test was called the malfunction indicator lamp test. In simple terms, it means that if the inspector sees any dashboard warning lights when he switches on the engine, it’s an automatic fail. Don’t ignore any lights which you spot on your dashboard, or assume it will be fine. Checking out any problems ahead of the test allows you the time to negotiate the best price for any repairs.

Although motor vehicles have been on UK roads for well over a century, legislation has often been slow to catch up. Before the mid 1930s, there was no requirement to take a test to get a driving licence. And surprisingly, before 1960 there was no way of testing the roadworthiness of the vehicles on the roads either. Early MOT Tests When the first MOT was introduced in 1960, it was a very basic test only. The first MOT tests examined brakes, lights and steering and only applied to cars which were over 10 years old. Back in the 1960s cars were expensive and there were far fewer vehicles on British roads. People kept their cars for much longer, and compared to 21st century cars they were relatively simple – no ABS braking, no electric windows, not even seatbelts. The fee when the MOT was first introduced was 14 shillings, equivalent to 70p in decimal currency. You also had to pay an extra 5p for your paper MOT certificate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the early years of the MOT test saw a high level of failures. After just two years, the minimum age for a MOT was reduced to seven years, and by 1967 that time had come down again to the current level of three years. The only other change came in the early 1980s, when testing for ambulances, buses and taxis was reduced to one year. Northern Ireland has its own rules about MOT testing. The system tests the same elements of the car, but only applies to vehicles over four years old. Unlike on the mainland, the tests are carried out in one of the government’s own network of centres. Changes In What Is Tested When the MOT was introduced it was a very rudimentary test of the basic elements of the car such as steering and brakes. Over the years, different aspects have been added to the test and the design of cars evolved. For example, condition of the tyres was added to the MOT in 1968. As of 1967, all new cars sold in the UK had to be fitted with seatbelts, so that was added to the MOT in 1969. One of the major changes in the 1990s was the addition of emissions tests for MOT. This was done in an attempt to remove dirty and polluting vehicles from the roads. Cars which were first registered in the 1970s don’t have to conform to modern standards for the MOT, but all others do. The tester uses a meter to measure the levels of chemicals and fumes coming from the exhaust. Hybrid vehicles which run on a combination of petrol and electricity don’t need an emissions test. The most recent tests to the MOT happened in 2012, with testers now looking at the battery, the electrical wiring of the car, speedometers and steering locks. What’s tested is constantly evolving. All changes are published on the government website. The full manual used by MOT testers should you wish to read through the whole thing.

If you’ve never booked your car in for a MOT before, then how do you know how long it’s all going to take? Many people choose to drop their car at the garage first thing in the morning then pick it up again late in the afternoon. But is that really necessary? Timing of the Actual Test It will take a mechanic between 45 minutes and an hour to carry out the MOT test. There is a set process which they go through, checking off the various elements on the list as they go. If you are absolutely sure that your car will pass its MOT, then you might choose to hang around the garage while the mechanic works. The law also states that you have the right to watch as the MOT is carried out, but you’re not allowed to chat to the mechanic or ask questions. Alternatively, you might decide to go off, get a coffee and return after around an hour. If you’re planning to do this, make it clear to the garage that you’ll be waiting. They can then prioritise your car over people who won’t be returning until after they’ve finished work. Problems Encountered on Test Timings can slip considerably if the garage finds something wrong with your car and has to enter your MOT test result as a fail. Usually, the procedure is that the garage will ring you to let you know, so make sure you stay in contact. If your car fails, timings will depend on the reasons for the fail. If your car fails for a major fault but not a dangerous one, you can either agree that the garage fixes it, or collect the car and have it fixed elsewhere. The mechanic should be able to give a timescale for the repair when you discuss it over the phone. If it’s something simple like replacing a tyre or a wiper blade, it’s a quick fix which most garages should be able to do in a few hours. If you have a particularly unusual size of tyre, or the garage needs to order a part, it could be a day or two until the car is brought up to the required standard. If your car fails on a dangerous fault, then your options are more limited. A dangerous fault means you’re not allowed to drive the car on the roads until you have it brought up to standard. In these circumstances, you’ll have to speak to the garage about the repair, and how long it will take. The length of time for the fix will depend on what is wrong, and how busy the garage is with other work. You could choose to tow the car away or get it lifted on a trailer, but the cost of this usually means it’s not worth it. Retest If you have to have your car re-tested after a repair, this is a very quick process. The mechanic doesn’t have to repeat the entire test, just test the parts which failed first time round.

Paying for your MOT isn’t optional. Driving your car on the road without a valid MOT is an offence and will land you with a fine and points on your driving licence too. However, what most drivers don’t know is that you have some flexibility over what you actually pay for your MOT test. Maximum Prices The government sets the fees for MOTs for the various classes of vehicle. These are published online and are adjusted every year in line with inflation. There are a range of different fees covering motorcycles, cars and vans. In general, larger vehicles have a higher MOT fee than smaller ones. For example, a motorcycle up to 200cc is £29.65, and most cars are £54.85. However, what most people aren’t aware of is that these fees are the maximum process which can be charged for MOT tests in the various classes. So if a garage wants to offer a MOT test for £10, they are free to do so. All the law says is that they can’t charge more than the maximum. As a customer, this puts you in a great position to bargain. Striking a Deal on your MOT If you are thinking of taking your car or van to a local centre which only offers MOT testing, then you are unlikely to be able to do much on the price. They will have a standard fee which covers the test and won’t offer flexibility. However, in towns where there are several garages all competing for the MOT business, you might be in a stronger negotiating position. Many garages will run special offers for MOTs at quiet periods, or offer discounts for booking online. Careful shopping around could secure you a price of less than half of the maximum fee chargeable. However, in order to secure one of the cheaper deals, you might have to jump through a few hoops. Cheap slots might require booking many weeks in advance, or taking a time slot nobody else wants such as late on a Friday afternoon. Saving £25 should be balanced against convenience. If you’re having to drive an hour to get a MOT test for £10 less, is it really worth it? Added Extras Another way of reducing the cost of your MOT is be agreeing to have other things done at the same time. If you are buying a couple of new tyres, or having an annual service done on the car at the same time, the garage is more likely to give a discount on the MOT price. Some other garages will give a discount for customers who had their MOT done last year too. Many garages advertise online, and it is always worth checking out what is on offer rather than just automatically choosing your nearest garage. Remember also that you have a bit of leeway in timing of your MOT test. It doesn’t have to be done on the same day each year. Be organised and start looking for deals in advance.

Thousands of vehicles are put through a MOT test in the UK each year. And with such a volume of cars, vans, lorries and motorbikes going through the test, it’s hardly a surprise that some patterns start to emerge. Figures show that there are some MOT failure reasons which are a lot more common than others. Knowing the most common reasons for a fail could allow you to identify the most common faults and get them fixed before you submit your car for inspection. Of course, some cars might have so many faults that they fail in more than one of the most common categories. Lights Problems with your lights account for 17% of MOT failures. This includes the obvious issues such as a broken bulb, so if you have noticed one of the lights has stopped working make plans to get it replaced. Often, changing a headlight or indicator bulb is an easy task. Your car could also fail its MOT if the headlights are pointing in the wrong direction, or if your indicators don’t flash properly when in use. Tyres Another big category of MOT fails is down to faulty tyres. 14% of cars fail in this category. Most of the failures are down to inadequate tyre tread depth. This is something which is easy to check at home, all you need is a 20p coin. If you’re unsure of the technique to check depth, look at the many videos online showing you exactly what to do. Cars might also fail an MOT if other problems are detected with tyres, such as bulges, bare patches or other irregularities. Check all of your tyres. The spare isn’t inspected, so if one of your tyres is borderline, swap it for the spare. Registration Plates A surprising 14% of cars fail a MOT because of number plate problems. If you have a plate which has non-standard spacing to spell a word, or written in a different font, that’s an automatic fail. Check that the light illuminating the rear plate is working properly, and that the plates aren’t cracked or damaged. Finally, take your car through the car wash as very dirty plates can also result in a failure. Windscreen and Wipers Another 14% of cars are failing in the windscreen and wipers category. Check that your wiper blades don’t cause smears when used, and that they are free from rips or tears. If you spot any damage on the wiper blades then get them replaced. This is an easy job to do yourself, as on most cars it’s just a simple matter of sliding the old blades out, and the new ones in. Check over your windscreen for any chips or cracks. Anything which obscures the view will be a fail. And ditch the large stickers – they are also classed as windscreen obstructions. Brakes 7% of failures include issues with brakes. This is something which is harder to check yourself, so book your car in for an inspection if you are concerned that your brake pads might need replacing.

The annual MOT test for cars which are three years old isn’t an optional thing. Having a MOT certificate for your vehicle is a legal requirement, and if you ignore your obligations it could land you in hot water with the police. As a driver it’s your responsibility to know when your MOT runs out and to make sure you have your motorbike, car, van or other road vehicle tested. Forgetting isn’t an excuse. Expired MOT If you simply forget to renew your MOT when a year rolls around, then you run the risk of being stopped by the police. Many police cars are equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) software, which indicates each time a car passes which isn’t insured, taxed or has no MOT certificate. If you are pulled over, then the offence is likely to be dealt with by a fixed penalty notice. This is a fine of £100, and three points on your licence. This isn’t a criminal offence though so you won’t be classed as having a police record. Pay the fine, accept the points and get your car tested as soon as you can. The only exception to this is when your MOT has expired and you have no option but to drive your car to the garage for the test. If you’re stopped on the way the police will let you continue without a fine or points, but you’ll need to have solid evidence of a pre-booked appointment at a nearby garage. Failed MOT If your car fails its MOT, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t drive it. It all depends on the reason for the failure. A major fail is something which isn’t dangerous, and you can still drive the car for the validity of the current MOT. If you have your car tested for example in the middle of June and the MOT doesn’t expire until the 30th June, you can still drive until the end of the month while you make arrangements for having your car fixed and then getting a new MOT before the old one expires. If however your vehicle fails its MOT due to a fault labelled as dangerous, that’s another matter. These sorts of faults need to be fixed right away. If the place where you have your MOT test done won’t or can’t fix it immediately, you’re breaking the law if you drive it away. The penalties for driving a car which has failed its MOT on a dangerous fault are much more severe than simply forgetting and driving around with an expired certificate. It’s not the mechanic’s job to physically stop you from driving your car away. But should you choose to do so and are stopped by the police, you’re facing a much stiffer fine of up to £2,500 and three points on your driving licence. So your choices are either to allow the garage to fix your car and have it retested, or arrange to have it towed away, or put on the back of a trailer for repair elsewhere. Don’t risk driving an unroadworthy car.

If you want the best chances of your car passing its MOT, then there’s lots more you can do other than crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Even without a working knowledge of what goes on underneath the bonnet, there are a few checks which any motorist can do to get their car in tip top shape before the MOT test. Tyres One of the main reasons a car fails its MOT is because tyre tread depth is insufficient. This is one of the easiest things to check by yourself and doesn’t require any special mechanical knowledge. All you need is a 20p coin. Push the coin into the tyre tread at the point where it looks most shallow. If you are unable to see the outer rim of the coin, then your tyres are fine and should pass the MOT. If you can see some of the coin’s rims then you’ll have to do some extra checking. The 20p test flags up tyre depths of less than 3mm, but the legal limit is 1.6mm. Knowing your tyres are approaching the limit gives you the opportunity to shop around and get a good deal on replacements rather than being forced into a snap decision when your car fails the MOT. Lights and Signals According to industry figures, 30% of MOT failures are down to lights and signals. This section covers headlights, rear lights, brake lights and indicators. Get into the car with a friend outside, and ask them to verify that your brake lights work when you apply pressure to the pedal, and that the indicators work – both front and rear, when you want them to. If bulbs are out, order replacements and change them yourself. Take a look at YouTube for videos walking you through the process if you’re not sure what to do. On some newer models replacing bulbs isn’t easy as the entire headlight or brake light is a sealed unit. In those cases it might be easier to leave it to the professionals; but at least you can pre-warn them of the issue and it can be fixed before the test is carried out. Driver’s View Almost 9% of cars fail their MOT in the “driver’s view” category. This means that something is obstructing the view of the driver, usually an issue with the windscreen but also potentially the side and rear windows. If you’ve had heavy tinted film applied to windows, this could be a MOT fail. As could large stickers or decals on your rear window. You really shouldn’t have anything on the front windscreen at all, except something small like a parking permit. Fuel 6% of cars fail an MOT because of issues related to fuel. The most common issues are leaks, so if you’ve noticed fuel leaking from the car onto your driveway or the street, get it fixed before the MOT appointment. Your car’s locking fuel cap should also be working, so replace it if it has got broken.

The first thing you’ll probably hear about a MOT failure is a phone call from the garage listing the faults which have been found with your vehicle. Your first thought is probably “How much is this going to cost me?” Then the second one is about getting the work done, and the process for getting the car re-tested and passing its MOT. There are a couple of possibilities for doing this, depending on the reason your car failed. Retests after a Major Fault Failures on MOT tests are classed as either major or dangerous. A major fault is detected when something on your car isn’t up to standard, and outside the limits set by the government. However, it’s not something which makes the car unroadworthy, or dangerous to drive. A major fault could be something like a missing number plate or broken tail light. If your car fails for one of these “major” reasons then you have a few options. Immediate repair – the least hassle option is to discuss the repair with the garage which did the MOT test and get them to fix the faulty component. They will make the repair, then do a partial MOT retest, usually for free. This sort of retest isn’t doing the entire test all over again; the mechanic just retests the component which failed. The downside is that you don’t have the opportunity to shop around for the best price for the work. Take the car elsewhere – a major fault doesn’t mean your car is too dangerous to be on the road. So you’re well within your rights to pay the MOT test fee, drive the car home and the think about what you want to do next. You could fix it yourself, get another mechanic to do the work, or get a friend to fix it. If you get the work done within 10 working days, then you can take it back to the same MOT testing station to have a partial re-test. Leave it longer than a fortnight, and you’ll need to go through the whole MOT process over again. Avoiding Retests Whatever the reason for a test failure, it’s added hassle and inconvenience which nobody needs. Rather than just booking a MOT appointment, turning up with your car and hoping it will sail through, do a little bit of work ahead of time to maximise your chances of passing. If you’ve been ignoring a warning light on your dashboard, investigate what’s going on before presenting your car for the test. Check the simple things like levels of windscreen washer fluid, make sure your lights are all working and that your tyre tread depth is deep enough. The MOT manual is readily available online to allow all drivers to see exactly what will be examined and what the limits of tolerance are. If you think there might be an issue with your brakes, steering or anything else which you don’t feel confident enough to check out by yourself, mention it when delivering your car to the garage.

The MOT test is a general assessment of the state of your car. It’s all about making sure that vehicles on the road are safe, and come up to a minimum standard. But it’s not just the safety critical things like the brakes which are examined during the MOT test. And to complicate matters further, the rules about what components are tested have changed regularly over the years. MOT Testing The following elements are always tested in a MOT test: Exhaust pipes and emissions tests Seat belts (both front and rear) Steering Windscreen and window wipers Catch on the bonnet Number plates, both front and rear Horn Lights – headlights, tail lights, indicators, hazard warning lights Brakes Wheels and tyres, including the spare Mirrors Doors Suspension Body and structure (inspecting for dangerous rust or other defects) Fuel System Seats The full detail of the latest inspection guideline is a public document. Should you wish, you can download the entire inspection manual which applies to your type of vehicle from the government website. The manual has been written in plain English as far as possible, but you’ll still need a working knowledge of car mechanics to understand what it’s all about. The manual sets out the exact limits which can be accepted in each situation. The mechanic performing the MOT test doesn’t really have any flexibility over whether a car passes or fails. If a component doesn’t meet the standards in the manual, it has to be marked down as a fail. What’s Not Inspected Remember that the MOT is all about whether your car is safe and roadworthy. It’s not about how efficiently the engine is running, and won’t tell you that it’s time to get it serviced. The inspector won’t care if the car is dirty, or if it has kids’ toys all over the back seat. The MOT inspector won’t check whether the car is insured, or whether you’re the registered keeper. Passing and Failing If your car passes the MOT then the next steps are simple. The inspector goes online and enters the details of your test into the online DVLA database. You will also get a simple certificate to show your car has passed. If however it fails, there are two separate scenarios. If the reason for failure isn’t something which affects the road safety of the car, you can choose to drive it away and have it fixed elsewhere. This might be something like a headlight not working properly, or inefficient windscreen wipers. You could of course choose to allow the same garage to make the repairs, but you don’t have to. The decision will depend on your individual circumstances. If the fault is classed as “dangerous” in the MOT manual, then you won’t be able to leave the garage with your vehicle. The only option is to leave it at the garage and have the dangerous fault fixed, then retested. Garages will usually be happy to talk you through your options for having things rectified.

Unlike car tax, the government doesn’t email or send out reminder letters as a matter of course for MOTs. There is a text message reminder service but you have to actively opt in to receive texts. If you don’t sign up, you could easily forget that the MOT is due. Similarly, some garages will keep a record of what customers book MOT tests, and will send an email or text when that time of year is rolling around again. But not all do, and if you change your mobile number or move house, you could easily miss those sorts of notifications anyway. So if life gets on top of you and you realise that your MOT has expired, what should you do? Get Booked In The obvious first step is to get your car booked in for its MOT as soon as possible. If you live in a town or city, there are probably dozens of testing stations within striking distance, so hit the internet or call around and find out about availability. The downside to this is that you are unlikely to be able to secure a bargain price, or pick and choose the time slot which is most convenient for you. Larger chain garages are more likely to be open on evenings and weekends than smaller, independent garages. Remember that you’re committing an offence by driving your car on the roads without a valid MOT, so get an appointment as soon as you can, and don’t drive your car on the road. Don’t Risk a Fine The law is very clear on the consequences of driving your car without a valid MOT. The penalty for having an expired MOT is a fixed penalty fine of £100, plus three points on your driving licence. Modern technology means you’re more likely than ever to be caught too. In the past, you’d only be caught if you were stopped for another offence and then the police ran your details through the computer. Nowadays, many police cars are equipped with software which automatically flags up any cars which don’t have a MOT, tax or insurance as they drive past. The only exception to this is when you have no option but to drive your car to your MOT appointment. If you’re stopped by the police in this situation, they will want to see proof of your appointment. They won’t just take your word for it. Set Reminders Forgetting your MOT one year is understandable. Everyone forgets things from time to time. But if you’re landed with a fine for forgetting one year, this should focus the mind a little. Set reminders on your phone, write it on the calendar, or ask the mechanic to contact you a couple of weeks before your next test is due. Remembering to book your test in advance also gives you a lot more control over where and when you have it done. Many garages will offer cheap tests if you’re prepared to take an unpopular time slot, or for booking in advance online.

In the old days, the situation with a MOT was very simple. The vehicle either passed or failed. If there were small problems which weren’t sever enough to cause a fail, this would be noted on the form. But changes last year sorted problems found on a MOT test into three major categories: minor, major and dangerous faults. So what does this all mean? Minor Faults A minor fault, as the name suggests, isn’t a particularly serious issue. It is similar to the old “advisory” listing on a MOT certificate. A minor fault found – as long as it’s the only fault – isn’t a fail on a MOT test. Take it as a “probably better get this looked at before you come back next year” recommendation. A minor defect could be something like the tread depth of tyres which are within a couple of millimetres of the minimum. They’re not illegal yet, but if you fail to do something about them, they will be soon. Another common example is brake lights. The MOT states that at least two should be working at the rear of the car. So if you have one either side and one on the rear window and one is faulty, that still leaves two working lights. But you’ll be advised to get the other one fixed. Other Types of Faults The other two types of faults, major and dangerous, do mean an automatic MOT fail. A failure means that whatever element is being tested doesn’t come up to the minimum standards set by the government in the MOT regulations. Testers don’t really have any wriggle room in this. However, what happens next depends how the fault has been classified. Major fault – a major fault is something which counts as a MOT fail, but doesn’t necessarily mean your car is unsafe to drive. This could be something like a missing numberplate, or headlight not working properly. In this situation you have a choice. You can allow the garage to repair the fault and put the car through the MOT again. Or you can drive it away, get the repair done at your leisure, and have it retested at any point until the current certificate runs out. Dangerous fault – a dangerous fault is a different matter. These types of faults mean that not only will your car fail the MOT, it means it’s not roadworthy either. Dangerous faults are usually things wrong with brakes, tyres or steering. If your car fails the MOT on a dangerous fault, you’re not allowed to drive it away to be fixed elsewhere. It must either be fixed by the garage, or taken away somewhere else on a trailer. Driving a car which you know has a dangerous fault could land you with a £2,500 fine. You have until the date your current MOT certificate expires to get your car fixed. If you’re unsure whether your car will pass its MOT or not, it’s usually best to book it in a couple of weeks in advance to leave time for dealing with problems.

If you’re a car owner in the UK, then you should have at least heard of the MOT test for cars. Although you might have heard of it, are you aware of what it is all about and what your responsibilities are as a motorist? There’s more misunderstanding about the MOT than you might thing. MOT – What it Means For a start, MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, after the government body which first came up with the idea of testing cars back in 1960. Interestingly, the Ministry of Transport no longer exists, but we’ve never stopped using the name in the MOT test. The MOT is a test to make sure that your car is safe to be on the road. It’s a roadworthiness test which looks at everything from brakes to windscreen wipers. It’s not about whether your car is worth what you think it’s worth, or whether it’s taxed or insured. Furthermore, it’s not just cars which need a MOT. The requirement is for any vehicle on the public roads, such as buses, lorries or taxis. Differences to Standard MOT In England, Wales and Scotland, any vehicle older than three years has to have a MOT. That means three years from the date of first registration, not necessarily three years from the date you bought it, even if you picked it up from new. The rules in Northern Ireland are slightly different, and vehicles don’t need a MOT until they are four years old. There’s discussion underway about bringing the rules into Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK. Nearly every vehicle on the UK roads will need a MOT test. There are two exceptions to this. Firstly, any cars which are more than 30 years old don’t need a test. This rule recognises that classic cars don’t meet many of the standards expected from modern MOT tests. If your car is older than 30, claim a historic or classic vehicles exemption. The other exception is for vehicles which never go on the public road. So if you’re lucky enough to own an estate large enough to need a Land Rover to get around, then you don’t need to MOT it, tax it or even insure it, as long as you never drive it on the public road. Where Does MOT Tests? Not every garage can offer MOT tests. Tests can only be carried out at an approved MOT centre. There are just over 20,000 MOT test centres up and down the UK, and over 50,000 people working within those centres who are qualified to do the tests. These centres range from small, “one man band” operations in a rural village through to the large chain garages such as Kwik-Fit or Halfords. There’s a complete list of current MOT centres on the government website, but unfortunately not in an easily searched format. As it’s illegal to drive without a MOT, make sure that you are aware of when yours expires, and make your booking in plenty of time.

We’re all used to those little reminders from the government dropping through the letterbox. We get letters reminding us to file our self-assessment tax return, or that our car tax is due. It’s perhaps therefore surprising that there’s no default method for sending out reminders that your MOT is due. There are ways you can ask to be sent a reminder but these are opt-in services – you have to actively seek them out and ask to join. So it’s not always obvious when your MOT is due. Requirements for MOT The general rule is that vehicles don’t usually need a MOT until they are three years old. That means three years from the date of their first registration, not necessarily three years from the date you bought the car. Some vehicles, like taxis or buses, need a MOT starting from a year of use. This is usually because most vehicles of this type do more mileage than your standard family car, and there is a greater chance of injury to passengers or other road users if the vehicle is dangerous. If you live in Northern Ireland, you don’t need to submit your car for a MOT until it is four years old. There are however discussions about changing this to bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. Check Online The easiest way of checking when your MOT is due is by using the official government website. All you need is the car’s registration number. Enter the number, and the website will state the make and colour to check you have entered the correct details. Click to continue, and you’ll be taken to a page showing the vehicle’s current tax and MOT status. Two large boxes at the top of the page will show ticks if the tax and MOT is current. They will also show when the tax and MOT expires on that particular vehicle, which may or may not be on the same date. The website doesn’t update immediately after a new MOT check is carried out. As it can take five days for the website to update, don’t panic if you’ve just had your car’s new certificate and this isn’t reflected online. Reminder Service If you’re the sort of person who forgets appointments regularly, then you can sign up to the government’s text message reminder service. You can only do this if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. People in Northern Ireland still receive a letter in advance of their current MOT expiring. All you need to register is your car’s registration number and a valid mobile phone number or email address. If you sell the car, or have it scrapped, you have to manually unsubscribe from reminders as it doesn’t happen automatically. There’s no fee for this service, just the cost of a standard text message. Some of the larger garages also keep a record of which cars have had their MOT in a particular month, and will email or text reminders.

Once you’ve figured out that your car, motorbike or van needs a MOT test, the next decision is about where you have it done. Luckily, you’ve got loads of choice and wherever you live in the UK, you should be able to find somewhere close to home, work or another convenient location. What sort of places are testing stations? Garages which are licensed and approved to perform MOT tests are known as testing stations. If a garage, or a mechanic working as a sole trader wishes to register to provide MOTs, they have to go through an approval process. This process is run by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) which is a government body. Premises approved for MOT tests display a special sign which is three white triangles on a blue background. There is a wide range of garages and mechanics approved to run MOT tests. Some are very small, single-mechanic operations in country villages who make their money doing MOTs for every vehicle in the area. In towns and cities, you may have more choice. Large car dealerships which sell new and used cars or offer servicing or body repairs will usually do MOT tests too. Lots of chain mechanics such as Halfords, Kwik-Fit or National Tyres will do MOT tests. In some areas there is also the option of a Council run testing station – the downside to this option is that these places don’t offer any repairs if your car fails. You’d have to take it away, have it repaired, and get it retested elsewhere. Choosing a MOT testing station The whole idea behind the MOT test is that it is a standard process, wherever you get it done. In theory, you should get the same service from a tiny independent as from a large chain garage. Most people choose a location which is convenient for either home or work. MOT tests can take around an hour, and you’re free to wait and observe should you wish to do so. Many people however choose to drop their car off in the morning and pick it up on their way home. One of the advantages of using one of the larger garages for MOT testing is that you can get other things done at the same time. Many customers choose to get their annual service done at the same time as their MOT check. Others ask for their car to be valeted, or just washed. None of this is part of the core MOT test though, and will cost extra. Price is another factor to consider when it comes to MOT tests. The fee set by the government is just the maximum price which can be charged for a MOT. Garages are free to charge less if they wish to do so. Many of the larger chains choose to discount their MOT costs to attract customers. If you’re having your car serviced or getting new tyres at the same time, you might be able to agree a lower price for the MOT.