If you own a car in the UK, knowing your MOT due date is one of the most important responsibilities as a driver. The MOT test ensures that your vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and meets the environmental standards set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Failing to keep track of your car MOT due date can result in fines, invalid insurance, and unsafe driving conditions.
Fortunately, the UK government has made it incredibly simple to check when your MOT is due online — all you need is your registration number. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to check your MOT due date, understand MOT expiry rules, and ensure your vehicle always stays compliant.
What Is an MOT Test and Why Is It Important?
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual vehicle inspection required by law for most cars over three years old. It checks whether your car meets the required safety and environmental standards.
During the MOT, testers inspect essential components such as:
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Brakes and tyres
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Suspension and steering
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Lights and indicators
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Exhaust and emissions
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
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Seat belts and horn
Passing the MOT confirms your vehicle is safe to drive on UK roads. If your car fails, you’ll need to repair the faults and retest it.
Why You Must Know Your Car MOT Due Date
Missing your MOT due date can lead to serious legal and financial issues. Here’s why keeping track of your MOT expiry date matters:
1. Avoid Legal Penalties
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal. You can be fined up to £1,000 if caught on the road without an active MOT certificate.
2. Insurance Risks
Your car insurance may become invalid if your vehicle doesn’t have a valid MOT. Insurers can refuse claims for accidents occurring after your MOT expiry.
3. Prevent Vehicle Damage
MOT tests often reveal issues early — such as worn brakes or emissions faults — saving you from costly repairs later.
4. Support Vehicle Resale Value
A full, up-to-date MOT history boosts buyer confidence and increases your car’s resale value.
5. Stay DVSA Compliant
Regular MOT testing ensures your vehicle stays compliant with DVSA standards for safety and emissions.
How to Check When Your MOT Is Due Online
Checking your MOT due date takes less than a minute. You can do it for free on the official UK government website.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Visit the Official GOV.UK MOT Page
Go to 👉 https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
This is the official DVSA service — safe, free, and accurate.
Step 2: Enter Your Vehicle Registration Number
Type in your car’s registration plate number (VRM) and click “Continue.”
Step 3: View Your MOT Status
You’ll instantly see:
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Your current MOT expiry date
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The last MOT test date
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Whether your vehicle passed or failed
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The complete MOT history (with advisory notes)
You can also check if your road tax is valid using the same portal.
How to Get MOT Reminders
If you struggle to remember dates, the DVSA offers a free MOT reminder service.
How It Works:
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Enter your vehicle registration and mobile number or email address
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You’ll receive automatic alerts 1 month and 2 weeks before your MOT is due
This simple service helps you stay compliant without worrying about forgetting renewal dates.
Can I Drive After My MOT Expires?
No — you cannot legally drive your car after its MOT expires, except in one case:
You’re driving to a pre-booked MOT test appointment.
If you’re stopped by police, you’ll need proof of your appointment, such as an email or booking reference.
Otherwise, driving after your MOT expiry can result in:
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A £1,000 fine
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Points on your license
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Vehicle impoundment
When to Book Your MOT Test
You can book your MOT test up to 1 month (minus a day) before your current MOT certificate expires — without losing any time on your new certificate.
Example:
If your MOT expires on August 30, you can book it as early as July 31.
If you pass, your new MOT will still be valid until August 30 next year.
This allows flexibility in case you need repairs or prefer early testing.
Where to Book Your MOT Test
Always book your test at an Approved MOT Test Centre — authorised by the DVSA.
How to Find One:
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Look for the blue MOT sign (three white triangles) outside garages.
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Confirm the centre’s status using https://www.gov.uk/find-mot-test-centre.
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Alternatively, you can book online through trusted centres like Safe Car MOT or your local service provider.
Approved centres follow strict testing standards and report all results directly to the DVSA database.
How to Read Your MOT Certificate
When you pass your MOT, you receive a certificate showing key details such as:
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Test number (unique ID for each MOT)
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Date of issue and expiry
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Odometer reading
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Vehicle registration
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Pass or fail result
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Advisories (minor issues that need attention soon)
You can verify any MOT certificate’s authenticity on GOV.UK.
What If You Lose Your MOT Certificate?
Don’t worry — you can easily replace your lost MOT certificate online.
Steps to Get a Duplicate MOT Certificate:
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Enter your vehicle registration number and log book (V5C) reference number
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Download and print your replacement certificate — free of charge
Alternatively, any approved MOT test centre can print one for you.
How to Check the MOT Status of a Used Car
Before buying a second-hand car, it’s essential to check its MOT history and due date.
Why? Because some sellers hide faults or skip MOT renewals.
Use the MOT history checker to view:
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The vehicle’s pass/fail record
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Mileage consistency
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Advisory and major defect notes
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MOT expiry date
A clean, consistent MOT record shows that the car was properly maintained.
Common Reasons for MOT Failure
Even if you check your due date, your car could still fail its MOT if you neglect maintenance. Here are the most common reasons cars fail MOTs:
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Lighting issues – faulty bulbs, brake lights, or indicators
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Tyre problems – tread depth below 1.6mm or uneven wear
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Brake defects – low efficiency or worn components
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Suspension issues – broken springs or shock absorbers
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Exhaust emissions – exceeding limits
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Windscreen wiper faults – cracked blades or smeared glass
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Fluid leaks – oil, coolant, or brake fluid
Before testing, perform a basic pre-MOT check to fix small issues and improve your chances of passing.
How to Keep Track of Multiple Vehicle MOT Due Dates
If you own more than one vehicle (for example, a car and a van), keeping track of all MOT dates can be challenging.
Best Practices:
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Register all vehicles for the DVSA MOT reminder service
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Keep digital reminders in your phone calendar
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Maintain a vehicle maintenance logbook
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Use fleet management tools if you run a business
Can You Get an MOT Test Early?
Yes. You can get an MOT test done anytime, but if it’s more than one month early, your new MOT will start from the test date, not your previous expiry date.
That means you’ll lose the overlap period, so it’s best to test within the final month of your current certificate.
What Happens If You Fail Your MOT?
If your car fails, the garage will issue a VT30 “Refusal of MOT” certificate detailing the problems.
You have two options:
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Repair and Retest: Fix the faults and return for a free retest (within 10 working days).
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Switch Garage: Repair elsewhere, but you’ll pay for a full MOT retest.
It’s best to repair at the same garage to save time and money.
How to Check MOT and Tax Together
You can check both your MOT and vehicle tax status on one page:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax
This service shows:
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MOT expiry date
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Tax due date
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Vehicle make, model, and colour
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Emission class
It’s perfect for quick vehicle compliance checks before long trips.
Internal Links (add in WordPress)
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Approved MOT Test Centre: Why It’s Important to Use an Official MOT Garage
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Vehicle History Check UK: How to Access Full Vehicle MOT History
External Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ How do I check my MOT due date?
Go to https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history and enter your registration number to see your expiry date.
❓ Can I get a reminder when my MOT is due?
Yes. Sign up for free SMS or email reminders on GOV.UK MOT reminder.
❓ Can I drive my car if the MOT has expired?
No, unless you’re driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test appointment.
❓ How early can I renew my MOT?
You can renew your MOT up to one month (minus one day) before it expires without losing your renewal date.
❓ What happens if I lose my MOT certificate?
You can download a replacement free of charge from https://www.gov.uk/replacement-mot-certificate.
Knowing your car MOT due date and checking it online is simple, free, and essential for every UK driver. With the DVSA’s online tools, you can stay updated, get reminders, and even check your vehicle’s full MOT history in seconds.
Driving without a valid MOT is not worth the risk — it can cost you money, invalidate your insurance, and endanger lives. So take a moment today to check your MOT expiry date online, sign up for reminders, and keep your car legally roadworthy.
Whether you drive a small hatchback or manage a fleet of vehicles, staying on top of MOT due dates ensures compliance, safety, and peace of mind.
