Book your MOT test at an AA approved local garage
Free collection and return when you book a service with an MOT, subject to availability. Repair parts and labour are guaranteed for 1 year or up to 12,000 miles.
Most MOT failures are caused by faults that drivers could spot before arriving at the test centre.
A few simple checks can improve your chances of passing first time and help you avoid unnecessary repair bills.
1. Check when your MOT is due
Before booking, check whether your vehicle needs an MOT and when it expires.
You can do this using the Government's free MOT checker by entering your registration number.
If you've recently bought the vehicle, it's worth checking the expiry date rather than relying on what the previous owner told you.
2. Book your MOT early
You can have an MOT carried out up to one month (minus one day) before the current certificate expires and still keep the same renewal date if the vehicle passes.
Booking early gives you more time to deal with any repairs before the existing MOT runs out.
3. Set yourself a reminder
Not every driver receives an MOT reminder automatically.
To avoid missing the date:
- Add it to your phone or calendar.
- Sign up for reminder services if your garage offers them.
- Check your MOT status online if you're unsure.
4. Choose a reputable MOT test centre
A good MOT station should be:
- DVSA authorised.
- Well reviewed.
- Transparent about pricing.
- Happy to explain any failures or advisories.
Recommendations from friends, family or trusted review sites can also help.
5. Carry out a simple pre-MOT inspection
Many common MOT failures involve straightforward maintenance items.
Tony Rich, former AA Patrol of the Year, recommends carrying out: "A simple checklist covering your lights, wiper blades and tyres."
Lights
Check:
- Side lights
- Headlights
- Brake lights
- Indicators
- Hazard lights
- Number plate lights
- Fog lights
If you're on your own, reflections from a wall or garage door can help you check the lights.
Tyres
Inspect tyres for:
- Tread depth
- Cuts
- Cracks
- Bulges
- Correct sizing
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference.
Also check tyre pressures against the manufacturer's recommendations.
Wipers and washers
Replace worn or damaged wiper blades.
Ensure:
- Washer jets work correctly.
- Washer fluid is topped up.
- The windscreen clears properly.
Windscreen
Inspect the windscreen for chips and cracks.
Damage within the driver's field of vision or larger defects within the swept area may result in an MOT failure.
Repairing a small chip early is usually much cheaper than replacing the windscreen.
Seatbelts and warning lights
Check that every seatbelt:
- Fastens and unfastens correctly.
- Retracts correctly.
- Is free from obvious damage.
If a dashboard warning light remains illuminated for a testable safety system, arrange repairs before the MOT.
What happens during an MOT?
An MOT normally takes around 45 minutes to one hour.
The inspection covers areas including:
- Body structure
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- Tyres
- Wheels
- Lights
- Mirrors
- Seatbelts
- Windscreen
- Wipers and washers
- Exhaust emissions
- Fuel system
- Horn
- Registration plates
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The MOT is an inspection only.
It does not include routine servicing or dismantling major vehicle components.
What happens if your car fails?
If your vehicle fails, the next step depends on:
- Whether the current MOT certificate is still valid.
- The type of defect recorded.
Dangerous defects
If the vehicle receives a dangerous defect, it should not be driven until it has been repaired.
Major defects
If the vehicle fails with a major defect but the current MOT certificate is still valid, it may still be legal to drive in certain circumstances, provided it remains roadworthy.
Should you repair the car at the same garage?
That depends on your confidence in the garage and the quotation provided.
You may choose to:
- Have the repairs completed immediately.
- Obtain another quotation elsewhere.
- Arrange repairs with a garage you already know and trust.
MOT retests
Retest rules depend on:
- Where repairs are carried out.
- How quickly the vehicle returns.
- The nature of the original failure.
In some cases, a free or reduced-cost retest may be available.
Your MOT station should explain the options before any repairs begin.
When shouldn't you drive after a failure?
Do not continue driving if:
- The vehicle has been given a dangerous defect.
- The current MOT certificate has expired and no exemption applies.
- The vehicle is no longer roadworthy.
If you're unsure whether the vehicle is safe or legal to drive, ask the MOT station before leaving.