An MOT test is a legally mandated annual inspection for all vehicles in the UK that are over 3 years old (and some that are over 1 year old). This test adheres to stringent standards set by the DVSA to ensure your car is safe and roadworthy.

During the MOT test, an accredited tester from the DVSA will perform a thorough inspection to ensure your vehicle is in roadworthy condition.

Any vehicle older than 3 years must have a valid MOT test certificate, which needs to be renewed annually. If your vehicle is less than 3 years old, you don’t need an MOT test until it reaches its third anniversary from the date of first registration. After this point, it is your responsibility to ensure the MOT is renewed every 12 months.

Certain vehicles, such as ambulances and taxis, are required to undergo an MOT test after just 1 year.

An MOT certificate is typically valid for 12 months from the expiration date of your previous certificate, not from the date of the test. This distinction is important to remember to ensure you are not driving with an expired MOT. You can find the expiry date on your current MOT test certificate.

Without a current MOT certificate, you will be unable to drive your vehicle lawfully or renew your road tax. The penalty for not having a valid MOT certificate is a fine of up to £1,000, however, if your car has failed the test and is deemed as ‘dangerous’, driving this vehicle could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 points on your licence. For your car to be classed as dangerous following its MOT test, it either poses an immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment due to its emissions.

There are specific rules about how early you can take your car for its annual MOT test. The inspection can be conducted up to 28 days before the expiry date shown on your current MOT certificate. This means that if you take your vehicle for its test 28 days early, your MOT will effectively be valid for 13 months, ensuring you don’t lose any days for testing earlThere are specific rules about how early you can take your car for its annual MOT test. The inspection can be conducted up to 28 days before the expiry date shown on your current MOT certificate. This means that if you take your vehicle for its test 28 days early, your MOT will effectively be valid for 13 months, ensuring you don’t lose any days for testing early. For example, if your MOT certificate expires on 20th July, you can take your car for the next test anytime between 22nd June and 20th July. The new certificate would then be valid until 20th July of the following year.

For example, if your MOT certificate expires on 17th January, you can take your car for the next test anytime between 17th January and 14th February. The new certificate would then be valid until 14th February of the following year.

If you’re asked to produce your MOT certificate after an accident and it isn’t up to date, your car insurance claim could be affected, particularly in cases of injury. Additionally, the DVSA’s recent computerisation of the MOT testing system allows police and mobile camera units to check remotely if your vehicle has a current MOT. They can use your number plate to access their database and may stop you if your MOT is invalid.

Just arrange a booked time beforehand to guarantee an MOT appointment by calling Auto Fit Bedford on 01234 215 500 and pop in. That’s all!

The MOT test takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. We have seating seating and free WiFi, allowing you to carry on working or be comfortable whilst we carry out your MOT.

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Just like petrol and diesel vehicles, electric and hybrid vehicles also require a valid MOT certificate if they are 3 years old or more. The key difference is that electric vehicles do not need an emissions test, so this part of the MOT test is omitted.