Every driver in the UK needs to know the due date of their vehicle’s MOT. It will help them not only follow the law but also keep their cars in safe condition.
An MOT test checks whether your vehicle meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards. If you end up losing track of the MOT due date, you may end up receiving a penalty and, in some cases, even receive penalty points on your license.
If you can’t remember when your MOT is due, or you probably forgot the actual date, there’s no need to panic. This guide will show you how to find out when your MOT is due, what happens if your car fails its MOT ahead of its due date, and what you need to do in order to get it ready for the test.
When’s my car due for an MOT?
The due date for an MOT is simply the last day you possibly had one done on that car. You should, therefore, think of it as the vehicle’s MOT expiry date or deadline. Before the deadline, it is expected that you have performed the test and obtained a pass to be allowed to drive on the road.
From registration, a vehicle’s MOT becomes due after its first three years on the road. After this time frame, a new MOT will be needed every 12 months for the car to remain in legal condition.
How to Find Your MOT Due Date
An easy way to keep track of the MOT due date is to check the date of the last test, but if you cannot remember, there’s no need to panic. The MOT date is always listed on the MOT certificate after a car passes the test.
If you don’t have the MOT certificate, you can use the Reg Check Tool provided by Smart Car Check. This tool essentially decodes the vehicle’s registration number for free to access vehicle history records and registration data, including the MOT status and due dates.
The best part is that it takes just a few seconds to check the MOT date, MOT status, and other vehicle information, including:
- Records of previous MOTs
- Tax due dates
- Previous keepers
- Plate change records
- Vehicle performance
- Write off records
- Mileage discrepancies
- High-risk checks, and more.
Found your due date? Ensure to book your MOT test before it’s too late and avoid the consequences.
What to Do If Your Car Fails MOT Before the Due Date
If your car fails MOT, there’s only one thing to do: resolve the major and dangerous faults by getting repairs done as soon as possible.
Don’t think about driving until the MOT expires; if there are dangerous faults identified, you could get a fine of £2,500 or even get a ban from driving.
As soon as the car fails the MOT test and is logged with the government and DVLA, the new test overrides the previous certificate, making the vehicle non-compliant. So, to summarize, here are the steps you would need to take when if your vehicle fails MOT:
- Get repairs Done: Address the issues highlighted in the failure report as soon as possible.
- Book a retest: Book in for an MOT retest when the repairs are done. You can book your MOT a month, minus a day, before your due date.
- Avoid driving: It’s advisable to avoid driving until the repairs are completed, but if there are no “dangerous” faults identified, you can drive around.
Ignoring an MOT failure may result in serious consequences, including increased fines and increased overall repair costs as the problems deteriorate.
Can I Drive My Car If It Fails MOT Before Due Date?
Yes, you can drive after a failed MOT, but only if no dangerous faults are identified. Driving after your vehicle failed an MOT with one or more dangerous faults may result in the following:
- A fine of £2,500.
- Three penalty points on your license
- A ban from driving.
You also need to note that even if the faults that caused you to fail the MOT are not dangerous, your vehicle is still not in its best state. This means that you may also get stopped by the police and face consequences for driving an unsafe vehicle on the road.
Your best bet would be to arrange for repairs as soon as possible and avoid driving until your car is in good shape.
Why Should You Check Your MOT Due Date?
You need to keep an eye on your vehicle’s MOT due date for several reasons. Some of these reasons are:
Legal Compliance
Driving without a valid MOT certificate is illegal, especially if dangerous faults are identified. If caught driving without an MOT, you may get fined up to £1,000. Sometimes, you can even expect a fine of up to £2,500.
The worst part is getting points on your license or even a driving ban. You don’t want to end up in this kind of situation, so you need to keep an eye on your due date.
Safety Assurance
Have you ever driven a damaged vehicle before? It’s a very stressful and potentially dangerous experience. You can easily avoid this by keeping track of your MOT date. The MOT test checks the safety and roadworthiness of vehicles, giving you peace of mind on the road, knowing that you’re safe.
Insurance Validity
One factor that may affect your being able to receive insurance claims is a non-compliant vehicle. So, if your car lacks a valid MOT, there’s a big chance that your insurance is invalidated, and your company can refuse to cover any claims and leave you responsible for all costs and damages.
Maintaining Vehicle Value
A well-maintained and compliant vehicle will most definitely be sold at a higher price than one with failed MOT records. These MOT records are stored in government databases and can be easily accessed with MOT history check tools.
In most cases, used car buyers check past MOT records, and if it shows that your car failed many tests, it will be valued less than a vehicle with clean records.
Preventing Breakdowns
MOT tests can identify potential issues before they become major problems. This can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. Regularly checking and servicing your vehicle ensures that minor issues are addressed promptly.
These and many other reasons, like just having peace of mind or keeping the roads safe, are some of the reasons why knowing your MOT due date matters.
Preparing For Your MOT Test
Preparation is the way to successful completion of your MOT test. Here are a few tips:
- Check for the most common failures: Lights, brakes, tires and emissions systems must all be in working order.
- Basic maintenance: Regularly check for oil levels, coolant levels, and tire pressures.
- Expert consultation: If you are not certain about the status of any of your car’s parts, it is always advisable to get a professional mechanic to conduct a check before it goes through its MOT.
For a better understanding of how best to prepare for your test, have a look at our checklist on how to prepare for an MOT examination. This will assist you in ensuring that all areas that have to be covered get coverage before the test.
Common MOT Failures
Some of the most common reasons why vehicles fail their MOTs include:
- Lights and electrical equipment: Faulty bulbs or poorly aimed lights (23-27% of failures).
- Suspension: Worn joints or dampers (13-18%).
- Brakes: Worn brake pads or discs (10-16%).
- Tyres: Insufficient tread depth or damage (11-14%).
- Visibility issues: Cracked windscreens or faulty wipers (7-10%).
- Exhaust system: Excessive noise or emissions (6-7%).
- Bodywork and structure: Rust or corrosion (5-7%).
- Windscreen wipers: Damaged wipers leaving smears (12%).
- Seat belts: Issues with seat belts (2%).
- Registration plates: Damaged or unreadable plates (1-2%).
By addressing these common issues in advance, you will have a better chance of passing the MOT test in one go. You can also check the GOV.UK website for more tips and resources to guide you.
Conclusion
It’s essential to have an MOT test when due. If, for any reason, you lose track of the due date, there’s nothing to fear. You can always recover this by taking a good look at the MOT certificate. If it’s not on there, you can simply use a reg number check tool.
With the reg check tool, you can view the MOT due date and other important vehicle information, such as the vehicle’s MOT history, car tax due date, vehicle registration data, and more. Try the Smart Car Check tool now and get all the information you need to keep your vehicle roadworthy.
