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It is surprisingly easy to forget when your MOT is due, especially if you do not keep the paper certificate to hand. The good news is that you do not need the certificate to find the date. Your vehicle's current MOT status and expiry date can be checked online using its registration number.
If you want a quick answer, use our free MOT history check to see the current MOT status, expiry date and previous test history for a vehicle.
The easiest way to find your MOT due date is to search using the vehicle's registration number. This will show whether the vehicle currently has a valid MOT and when the certificate expires.
You can also find the expiry date on your current MOT certificate, but checking online is often more convenient. It is particularly useful if you have misplaced the certificate, recently bought the car or simply cannot remember when the test was last carried out.
Do not leave the check until the last minute. Knowing the expiry date in advance gives you time to book a convenient test rather than having to take whatever appointment is available just before the MOT runs out.
In Great Britain, most cars need their first MOT by the third anniversary of the date they were first registered. After that, an MOT is normally required every year.
For example, if a new car was first registered on 10 October 2023, its first MOT would normally need to be completed by 10 October 2026.
There are exceptions. Certain types of vehicle have different testing requirements, and the rules and MOT process in Northern Ireland are different from those in England, Scotland and Wales.
You do not have to wait until the day your MOT expires. You can normally have the test carried out up to one month, minus one day, before the current expiry date and keep the same renewal date for the following year.
As an example, if your MOT expires on 15 May, you can normally have the test from 16 April and still keep 15 May as your future renewal date.
You can have the MOT done even earlier, but there is an important difference: your next expiry date will be based on the date of the new test rather than your existing renewal date. That can effectively move your annual MOT date forward.
If your MOT has expired, you should not continue using or parking the vehicle on a public road as normal. Driving without a valid MOT can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
There are limited exceptions, including driving to a pre-arranged MOT test or to or from somewhere where repairs are being carried out. The vehicle still needs to be safe to drive.
An expired MOT can also cause another practical problem: you normally cannot renew the vehicle's road tax until it has a valid MOT where one is required.
Your MOT remains valid until its stated expiry date. The important thing is to arrange the next test before the certificate runs out so there is no gap in validity.
Booking a little early is usually sensible. It gives you time to deal with any unexpected failure without suddenly finding yourself with a vehicle you cannot use normally on the road.
The expiry date tells you when the next test is needed, but the previous MOT history can tell you much more about the vehicle.
If you want to understand what the test covers and how it works, read our guide to what an MOT check is.
Previous tests can reveal advisories, failed tests, dangerous or major defects and mileage readings recorded over several years. If you are buying a used car, that history can be more useful than simply knowing that the vehicle has a valid MOT today.
For example, the same tyre, suspension or corrosion advisory appearing over several tests may suggest that maintenance has been delayed. Mileage readings can also be compared from one test to the next to spot unusual changes that deserve further investigation.
You can check a vehicle's MOT history using its registration number to see its current status, expiry date, previous test results, advisories, failures and recorded mileage.
Yes. In Great Britain, the government's MOT reminder service can send a free text message or email before the MOT is due. For cars, vans and motorcycles, the reminder is normally sent one month before the expiry date.
Setting up a reminder is useful, but it is still worth checking the MOT date yourself when buying a car or if you are unsure when the previous owner last had it tested.
A long MOT expiry date can look reassuring when you are buying a used car, but it should not be treated as proof that the vehicle has always been well maintained.
Look through the earlier MOT tests as well. A car may have passed its latest MOT while still having a history of repeated advisories, mileage questions or previous serious defects.
It is also worth remembering that an MOT is a roadworthiness test rather than a complete vehicle history check. It will not tell you whether the car has outstanding finance, has previously been written off or has other history markers that sit outside the MOT record. Before buying, it is worth running a full car history check alongside the MOT history.
If you cannot remember your MOT date, you only need the vehicle registration number to check it. Most cars in Great Britain require their first MOT by the third anniversary of registration and then need another test every year.
Checking before the expiry date gives you time to arrange the test and deal with any repairs if the vehicle fails. It also gives you an opportunity to review the previous MOT history rather than looking at the expiry date alone.
Need to check yours? Enter the registration number into our free MOT check to view the current MOT status, expiry date and previous MOT history.
How can I check when my MOT is due?
Use the vehicle registration number to check its current MOT status and expiry date online. You can also find the expiry date on the current MOT certificate.
How early can I get my MOT without losing the renewal date?
You can normally have an MOT up to one month, minus one day, before the current expiry date and keep the same renewal date for the following year.
When does a new car need its first MOT?
Most cars in Great Britain need their first MOT by the third anniversary of registration. Different requirements apply to some vehicles and Northern Ireland has a different MOT process.
Can I drive if my MOT has expired?
You cannot normally drive a vehicle on the road after its MOT has expired. Limited exceptions include travelling to a pre-arranged MOT test or for repairs, provided the vehicle is safe to drive.
How long does an MOT last?
An MOT normally lasts for one year. Check the vehicle's actual expiry date rather than assuming it is exactly 12 months from the date you bought the car.