Keeping track of your MOT due date is very important. It keeps you safe and legal, and helps you avoid stress. Many people forget about their MOT until the last moment, and this can lead to fines up to £1000, delays, or even being unable to drive.
This guide explains why the MOT matters, how to check your due date, what the test includes, and when you need an MOT on a new car.
If you’re wondering how to check when your MOT is due, enter your registration number into the Smart Car Check MOT check tool. This helps you know your MOT due date, and you don’t end up booking your vehicle too early or too late.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Checking your MOT due date helps you stay legal, avoid fines, and fix safety problems early before they become bigger and more expensive issues.
- You can check your MOT expiry online using an MOT checker, or by reading your last MOT certificate or reminder message from your garage.
- New cars need an MOT after three years, and you can book your test up to one month early while keeping the same renewal date.
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Why Check Your MOT Due Date?
It’s important to know your MOT expiry date because driving without a valid MOT is illegal. It also puts your safety at risk and may affect your insurance.
By checking your MOT on time, you can plan, fix problems early, and avoid stressful last-minute repairs.
Reasons to keep track of your MOT date:
Avoid Fines
You can get a fine of up to £1,000 if you drive without a valid MOT. The police and cameras can easily check your car’s MOT status. Knowing your date helps you book early and avoid breaking the law.
Stay Roadworthy
The MOT test looks for problems that could make your car unsafe, such as bad brakes, worn tyres, broken lights, or steering issues. Keeping track of the date makes sure your car stays safe to drive for you and everyone else on the road.
Keep Insurance Valid
Many insurance companies expect your car to have a valid MOT. If you have a crash without one, some insurers may not pay out. Checking your MOT due date helps protect your insurance cover and avoids costly claims being rejected.
Avoid Last-Minute Repairs
When you know your MOT date early, you can fix small issues before they become big problems. This saves money and stops you from rushing to find a garage at the last moment. It also gives you time to compare prices and choose the best mechanic.
How to Check When MOT is Due
Checking your MOT due date is simple. You can do it online using your number plate. This is the quickest and most accurate method because the results come straight from the DVLA database.
Check Your MOT Online (Best Method)
Use the Smart Car Check car check service. You only need to enter your registration number to view the following information:
- Your MOT expiry date
- Full MOT history
- Previous advisories
- Mileage records
- Reasons for past failures
Smart Car Check MOT checker not only displays MOT status or history alone, but also shows other details like mileage history, tax status, outstanding finance, insurance write-off records, and more.
Look at Your Previous MOT Certificate
If you still have last year’s MOT paper, the expiry date is printed near the top.
Check Your Car Service Folder or Emails
Some garages send reminders by email or text. Check your inbox for MOT messages.
What Does an MOT Test Include?
An MOT test checks the safety and legal condition of your car. It does not check the engine’s overall health like a full service. Instead, it focuses on the parts that keep you and other road users safe. An MOT is a safety test, not a performance test, that ensures the car is safe but not necessarily perfect
Main areas tested during an MOT:
Lights and signals
The tester checks every light on your car, including indicators, brake lights, headlights, fog lights, and number plate lights. They make sure each one works, is bright enough, and is the right colour so other drivers can see you clearly.
Brakes
The MOT checks how well your brakes work, including the handbrake. The tester looks for leaks, worn pads, damaged discs, and brake balance. Poor braking can make stopping unsafe, so this is one of the most important checks.
Tyres and wheels
Tyres must have at least 1.6mm tread depth to stay legal. The tester also checks for cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or cracks. Wheels are checked for damage or bends because faulty wheels or tyres can affect grip and handling.
Steering and suspension
This test makes sure you can control the car safely. The steering must not feel loose, and the suspension must absorb bumps properly. Worn parts can make the car unstable or harder to handle, especially at higher speeds.
Windscreen and wipers
The tester checks for chips and cracks in the driver’s view, as these can block vision. Wipers must clear the screen properly, and the washer jets must spray enough water. Poor visibility is a common reason for MOT failures.
Seats and seatbelts
Every seat must be secure and able to lock into place. Seatbelts must click, lock, and pull tight as they should. Faulty seatbelts are a serious safety risk and will lead to an automatic MOT fail.
Bodywork and structure
The tester checks for rust, corrosion, or sharp edges that could injure someone or weaken the car’s structure. Serious rust near suspension mounts, doors, or seatbelt points can make the car unsafe to drive.
Exhaust and emissions
The exhaust system must not have leaks or be too loud. Emissions are checked to make sure the car is not releasing harmful levels of pollution. A faulty exhaust can also increase fuel use or cause engine problems.
Registration plates
Number plates must be clean, clear, and easy to read. They must also follow DVLA rules on spacing and lettering. Dirty, damaged, or incorrect plates can lead to an MOT failure.
Mirrors
All mirrors must be secure and give a clear view behind and around the car. Missing or broken mirrors make lane changes and reversing unsafe, so they must be in good condition.
Horn
The horn must work properly and be loud enough to warn other road users. A weak or broken horn is unsafe and will not pass the MOT.
Fuel system
The tester checks for fuel leaks, damaged pipes, and a properly sealing fuel cap. Any leak is dangerous and can cause a fire risk, so the fuel system must be fully secure.
Can I Book My Car In for an Early MOT Test?
Yes. Many people choose to take their MOT early so they have enough time to repair problems before the deadline. You can book your MOT up to 1 month minus 1 day before the expiry date and keep the same renewal date.
For instance, if your MOT expires on 20 June, you can test it on 21 May and still keep 20 June next year.
Why book early?
- Avoid stress and last-minute failures
- More time to repair faults
- No risk of missing the deadline
- Some garages offer discounts during quiet months
Can You MOT a Car Before It’s Due?
Yes. If you want, you can MOT a car at any time of the year. But your renewal date will change unless you test it within the allowed early-test period (1 month minus 1 day).
Here’s what happens:
- Test early by more than a month: You get a new expiry date based on the test day.
- Test early within one month: You keep your original expiry date.
Some people test early if:
- They are selling the car or buying a used car
- The car was off the road
- They want to check for problems early
- They want peace of mind before a long trip
When Do You Need an MOT on a New Car?
New cars do not need an MOT right away. They are exempt for the first few years. A brand-new car needs its first MOT after 3 years, and after the first MOT, it must be tested every 12 months. Let’s say a new car was registered on 1 March 2025, it would need its first MOT by 1 March 2028.
New cars don’t need an MOT right away because they are built to modern safety standards, are less likely to have problems, and meet emissions rules from the start. However, new cars must still follow regular servicing schedules.
Know Your MOT Due Date to Stay Compliant
Knowing when your MOT is due is a big part of staying safe and legal on the road. Checking early helps you avoid stress, fines, and safety risks. You can check the date online in seconds, set reminders, and plan with ease.
Your MOT keeps your car safe by checking brakes, tyres, lights, suspension, emissions, and much more. You can book your MOT early, keep the same expiry date, and give yourself time to fix any problems.
New cars need their first MOT at three years old, and every year after that. Staying aware and organised helps you keep your car in good shape and ready for the road.
FAQ About how to check when MOT is due
Can I drive the vehicle if it fails the test?
No, you cannot drive a car that fails its MOT if the report shows a “dangerous” fault. This means the car is not safe for the road and must be repaired before moving. For other faults, you may only drive it to a garage for repairs or a booked MOT retest. Driving a dangerous or unroadworthy car is illegal and can lead to fines of up to £2,500, penalty points, or even a driving ban.
When should I renew my MOT?
You should renew your MOT before the expiry date shown on your last certificate. The best time is within one month minus one day before it expires, so you keep the same renewal date for the following year.
Can I set an MOT reminder?
Yes, you can set free MOT reminders through GOV.UK using your registration number and email or phone number. You can also use phone calendar alerts, garage reminders, or car apps that track your MOT, tax, and service dates.
How soon can DVLA update my MOT data?
DVLA MOT data may take up to five days to update, but it usually shows online within 24 hours. Sometimes it updates even faster. If more than five days pass and the details are still not showing, contact the DVSA. The system only updates after the test centre uploads the results.
