These are just a few of the questions about MOTs that we are most often asked. Click on a question to reveal the answer.
How soon before the MOT expires can I get the test done?
You can get the vehicle tested at any time – however if you want to preserve the existing expiry date you can come in up to a month, minus one day, beforehand.
For example, 01 September would have been the earliest day you could book in if the MOT expires today, 2 October.
This ensures you have plenty of time to book a convenient test slot before the existing certificate expires.
My MOT has expired – can I still drive my car?
The only time you are permitted to drive once the MOT is expired is when driving to a prebooked MOT test, or to the repair centre for repairs to get through the MOT.
If you do this, please provide us with your registration number when making your test appointment so that, if you are pulled over, we can confirm that you were definitely on your way to us.
I’ve lost my MOT certificate – can I get a new one?
Yes, you can, although the official records are now held online.
You may want a duplicate if you are selling the car, for example, but if you only want to find out the date the MOT is due, or what was on the last test result, see www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk. You will need your vehicle registration number to use this service.
If you do need a certificate reprint, the testing station that issued the certificate can create one using just your registration number. They may charge up to £10 (our fee is £5).
If you can’t get to that testing station, or don’t know where it was, you will need to take your vehicle’s V5 (logbook) to your preferred testing station – information from it is required to produce a duplicate.
How long does the MOT take? Can I wait?
The test takes around 45 minutes. You are welcome to wait or leave the car with us, it’s up to you. We have a waiting room and free hot drinks are available.
What happens if the car fails the MOT
You have 10 working days to sort out any repairs and bring the vehicle back for a free retest. A retest only covers the failure points and directly associated components so may only take a few minutes. If you can’t make it back within that time we will have to perform another full test at the full test rate.
The latest DVSA advice on driving a failed vehicle can be found at www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/after-the-test.
What does Class IV or Class VII mean? I don’t know my vehicle’s MOT class
Most cars will be Class IV. Motorbikes are Class I (up to 200cc) or II (over 200cc, including with sidecar). Motorhomes and most small and short-wheelbase vans are Class IV too.
Vans/goods vehicles of 3 to 3.5 tonne, including horseboxes, are Class VII.
We can test most vehicles in these categories, however, we may not be able to test some vehicles which are particularly long or tall, it depends on whether they will fit into the workshop. If in doubt, please ask us for advice.
I don’t want to end up with a big repair bill!
We don’t want you to either! As an independent MOT station that does not perform any repairs, we won’t present you with a big bill; we only provide fair and honest MOTs.
We are not partnered or affiliated in any way with any other garages or repair centres but may be able to offer advice on local places to try if you don’t know where to go for repairs.
Does my car even need an MOT?
In the majority of cases it will if it is between three and forty years old. Check the exemptions here.
Vehicles older than forty years are exempt from testing (subject to conditions), however owners may still choose to give them an MOT test. We would advise that classic owners do consider having their vehicles tested, simply for the vehicle safety checks that the MOT provides.