When does my car need an MOT?

For vehicle owners who need to know their MOT renewal schedule.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

Official figures may have changed. Check the source.

Your vehicle needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year. You can get it up to a month (minus a day) early and keep the same renewal date.

Check when yours expires using MOT history online.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT.
You can't renew vehicle tax if your MOT has expired.
Northern Ireland has different rules.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

First MOT at 3 years
Then every year
Up to £1,000 fine

What an MOT is

An MOT is a yearly safety and emissions test for vehicles over a certain age. In England, Scotland and Wales, most cars need their first MOT on the third anniversary of being registered. After that, they need one every year by the anniversary of their last MOT.

How to find your MOT due date

Look at your current MOT certificate. It shows the date it runs out.
Use the free GOV.UK MOT history service. Enter your registration number to see the expiry date and past results.
Sign up for free MOT reminders from GOV.UK so you get a message before it is due.

Getting your MOT early without losing days

You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before your current one runs out and still keep the same renewal date. If you test earlier than that, your renewal date moves to the new test date.

Example: your MOT runs out on 20 November 2026. The earliest you can test and keep the 20 November renewal date is 21 October 2026. If you pass on 25 October, your next MOT is still due by 20 November 2027.

Example of testing too early: with the same expiry date, you test on 10 October 2026. Your renewal date moves to October, so your next MOT is due in October 2027 and you lose about 6 weeks.

When different vehicles need their first MOT

Vehicle	First MOT due at	Maximum fee
Cars (up to 8 passenger seats)	3 years	£54.85
Motorcycles (no sidecar)	3 years	£29.65
Goods vehicles up to 3,000kg	3 years	£54.85
Taxis and ambulances	1 year	£54.85
Passenger vehicles with 9 to 12 seats	1 year	£57.30

These are the most a test centre can charge.

If your MOT has run out

You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT.
You cannot legally drive the vehicle, except to a pre-booked MOT test or to have repairs done that it needs to pass.
You cannot renew your vehicle tax until it has a valid MOT.

Vehicles that do not need an MOT

Some vehicles are exempt. These include tractors, some older electric goods vehicles, and many vehicles built or first registered more than 40 years ago that have not been substantially changed. Exempt vehicles must still be kept roadworthy.