An MOT certificate does not mean that the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate and is not a substitute for regular maintenance
If your vehicle is more than three years old you will have to get it tested every year to show that it meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards.
There are different rules if you use the vehicle as a taxi.
An MOT certificate confirms that at the time of the test your vehicle met, as far as can be reasonably determined without dismantling, the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law.
An MOT certificate does not mean that the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate and is not a substitute for regular maintenance.
These are the maximum fees set by the Department for Transport. They are not subject to VAT.
MOT 'certificates' issued after 18 November 2012 will show the mileage recorded at up to three previous MOT tests as well as the current one.
If you own the car - check the mileage on the 'certificate' when you collect the car. If the garage has made a mistake it can be corrected within seven days, but if missed, an error can affect the value of the car or make it more difficult to sell.
If you're buying a car - bear in mind that MOT 'certificates' can be forged. Use the mileage record on the 'certificate' as a guide only and check the official record online.
Records of MOT test results are held on a secure central database connected to all MOT testing stations.
The document you receive from the testing station is your receipt and shows the information that is held on the MOT database. It is not proof of an MOT and you should not rely on it as such i.e. when buying a used car.
Any recommended advisory work - potential problems not currently severe enough to result in a test failure - will also be shown.
You can check the MOT status of a vehicle online if you have a legitimate interest in the vehicle - you must be the owner, registered keeper or be considering buying the vehicle.
You will need to know the vehicle registration number and the MOT test number from the most recent 'certificate' or test refusal certificate. If you don't have these you can use the document reference number from the vehicle registration document (V5C).
The status check will confirm the date and mileage of the last test and the expiry date.
You can also check details of previous MOT tests going back to 2005. Records before 2005 were not computerised.
You don't need a valid MOT certificate if the vehicle is being taken by prior appointment to or from a test.
In May 2012, following a public consultation, the Government announced that vehicles manufactured before 1960 will be exempted from the MoT test from 18th November 2012
Classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MoT failure rate than newer vehicles.
Pre-1960 licensed vehicles make up about 0.6% of the total number of licensed vehicles in Great Britain, but are involved in just 0.03% of road casualties and accidents.
MOT testing guide and manuals
Conviction for any of these offences will not result in penalty points being placed on a driving licence.
If you disagree with the test result you should discuss it with the test station first if possible. It's important not to let anyone else carry out repairs to your vehicle.
If you are not satisfied with the way your test was conducted, you should let your local Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) office know as this helps VOSA maintain good service and consistent standards.
The address of your local VOSA office is shown on the fees and appeals poster at your MOT test station or you can call the MOT enquiry line on 0845 600 5977.
You can apply for a new tax disc online or, if you intend to take the vehicle off the road, declare Statutory Off Road Notification, known as SORN.
You will need to know either the reference number on the tax renewal reminder, or the document reference number from the vehicle registration document (V5C).
You can also use the Vehicle Enquiry service to check what information DVLA holds on its database about a vehicle.
(25 May 2012)
