An MOT is the yearly safety and emissions test that most cars in the UK need once they are three years old. The test usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, the maximum fee for a car is £54.85, and the tester checks the parts that keep the car safe and legal, such as brakes, lights, tyres, steering and emissions, but not the engine, clutch or gearbox.
Here is what MOT stands for, exactly what gets checked, what it costs, how long it takes and what the result means.
What does MOT stand for?
MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, the government department that brought in the test in 1960. The name stuck, although the test is now run by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, tests are carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) at its own test centres.
When does a car need an MOT?
- First MOT: by the third anniversary of the car's first registration (fourth in Northern Ireland).
- After that: every year.
- Testing early: you can have the test up to a month (minus a day) before the current MOT runs out and keep the same renewal date.
- Exempt: most vehicles made or first registered more than 40 years ago, if they haven't been substantially changed.
To see when a car's MOT is due, use our MOT due date check.
What is checked in an MOT?
The tester works through a set list from the DVSA. The main areas are:
| Area | What the tester looks at |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Condition, performance and the brake warning lights, including ABS |
| Tyres and wheels | Tread depth (the legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread), cuts, bulges and the correct size and type |
| Lights | Headlights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights and their aim and condition |
| Steering and suspension | Wear, damage and security of the parts, and the power steering |
| Body and structure | Excessive corrosion or damage in specific areas, and no sharp edges |
| Exhaust, fuel and emissions | Leaks, security, and exhaust emissions within the limits for the car's age and fuel |
| Seat belts and seats | Condition, operation and security |
| Driver's view | Windscreen damage, wipers, washers and mirrors |
| Other items | Horn, number plates, the VIN, doors, battery, wiring, towbar and the speedometer |
What isn't checked
The MOT doesn't test the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. A car can pass its MOT and still have a mechanical problem, so an MOT certificate isn't the same as a service or an inspection. That matters when you're buying a used car: read the full MOT history rather than relying on a pass on the day.
How long does an MOT take?
The test itself usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Many garages ask you to leave the car for longer, often for a morning or the whole day, because they fit tests around other work, and any repairs take extra time. If you need the car back quickly, ask the garage whether you can wait while it's tested.
How much does an MOT cost?
The DVSA sets a maximum fee, and test centres can charge less but not more:
- Car (up to 8 passenger seats): £54.85
- Motorcycle: £29.65
Many garages offer the MOT below the maximum, sometimes as part of a service. A cheap test is fine, but be wary if the price is very low and the list of "necessary" repairs is long: you can take the car elsewhere for repairs and a second opinion. Fees in Northern Ireland are set separately by the DVA.
Retests
If the car fails, you may get a free or cheaper partial retest when it is repaired and retested at the same test centre within the time limits in the rules. Ask the test centre how its retests work before you agree to repairs elsewhere. The official rules are on >GOV.UK: getting an MOT.
What the MOT result means
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dangerous | Fail. A direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment. Don't drive the car until it's repaired. |
| Major | Fail. Could affect safety, other road users or the environment. Repair it straight away. |
| Minor | Pass. No significant effect on safety, but repair it as soon as possible. |
| Advisory | Pass. Something to watch that could become more serious. |
Advisories are worth reading carefully, especially on a car you're thinking of buying: see MOT advisories explained. If the car fails, our guide on what to do after failing an MOT goes through the next steps.
How to help your car pass
A large share of MOT failures come from simple things you can check at home in a few minutes:
- Walk round with the lights on: headlights, sidelights, indicators, brake lights and the number plate light.
- Check the tyre tread and look for cuts or bulges.
- Top up the screen wash and check the wipers clear the screen.
- Make sure the number plates are clean, readable and the right style.
- Look for warning lights on the dashboard, and sound the horn.
- Clear clutter from the boot and the driver's view.
For more, see the minute or two MOT check.
Driving without an MOT
You can only drive without a valid MOT to a test you've already booked, or to and from a repair. Otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000, and you can't tax the car. Read can you drive a car without an MOT for the full rules.
FAQs
How long does an MOT take?
The test usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Garages often keep the car longer to fit the test around other work.
What is the maximum MOT fee?
£54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a motorcycle. Test centres can charge less but not more.
What does MOT stand for?
Ministry of Transport, the department that introduced the test in 1960.
Does the MOT check the engine?
No. It checks safety and emissions items, not the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.
Can I get an MOT early?
Yes, up to a month (minus a day) before the current one runs out, and you keep the same renewal date.