When Is My MOT Due? The Complete Guide to Checking Your MOT Expiry Date
When is my MOT due? Check your MOT expiry date online in seconds using your vehicle registration. Here is how to find your due date, view MOT history, and avoid fines.
An MOT test is a legal requirement for most vehicles on UK roads. Driving without a valid MOT can result in a fine of up to £1,000, invalidate your insurance. Unlike vehicle tax, there is no automatic reminder system. The MOT expiry date is your responsibility to track.
This guide explains everything you need to know about when your MOT is due. It covers how to check your MOT expiry date online, when the first MOT is due on a new car, what happens if your MOT expires, and where to view your vehicle's full MOT history.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT. There is no MOT grace period in the UK. The only exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment.
When Is My MOT Due: The Basic Rules
The MOT due date depends on the age of your vehicle. The rules are straightforward.
You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either the third anniversary of its registration, or the anniversary of its last MOT if it is over three years old.
For vehicles that are three years old or older, an MOT is required every 12 months. The expiry date is printed on your current MOT pass certificate. You can also check the expiry date online using the government service at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.
Northern Ireland follows a slightly different rule. The first MOT is due on the fourth anniversary of registration, rather than the third.
Vehicles built or first registered more than 40 years ago are exempt from MOT testing, provided no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years.
Our when did tax discs stop guide covers the history of vehicle taxation, and our does car tax automatically renew guide explains tax renewal rules.
MOT is due three years after vehicle registration for most vehicles. After that, an MOT is required every 12 months. The expiry date is printed on your current MOT pass certificate.
Quick Summary: When Is My MOT Due
| Vehicle Age | MOT Due | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New car (first MOT) | Third anniversary of registration | Can be done up to 1 month early to keep the same renewal date |
| Vehicles over 3 years old | Every 12 months from last MOT date | Anniversary of the last MOT |
| Vehicles over 40 years old | Exempt | No substantial changes in last 30 years |
| Northern Ireland | First MOT at 4 years | Different from England, Scotland, Wales |
You can get an MOT up to one month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date for the following year. For example, if your MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest you can get an MOT to keep the same renewal date is 16 April.
If you get an MOT earlier than one month before the due date, the renewal date will change. The new expiry date will be one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle passed its MOT.
Quick summary: First MOT due 3 years after registration. Annual MOT after that. You can get an MOT up to 1 month early and keep the same renewal date. There is no grace period for expired MOTs.
How to Check When Your MOT Is Due
There are several ways to find out when your MOT is due. The quickest and easiest method is the free government service.
Check MOT Due Date Online
You can use the official GOV.UK service to check MOT history and expiry dates. The service is free and available 24 hours a day.
Step 1: Go to www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.
Step 2: Enter your vehicle registration number.
Step 3: Click Continue.
Step 4: Click View MOT history to see the MOT expiry date, pass/fail results, mileage at each test, and any advisory notes or reasons for failure.
You do not need to log in or create an account to access this information. You only need the vehicle registration number.
Check Your MOT Pass Certificate
The expiry date is printed on your current MOT pass certificate. The certificate shows the date your MOT runs out.
Check Your V5C Logbook
The V5C logbook shows the date the vehicle was first registered. The first MOT is due on the third anniversary of that date.
Check Your Service Records
If you keep service records, they may contain previous MOT dates that help you track when the next one is due.
You can also check tax and MOT status together at www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. This shows both tax status and MOT expiry date in one place.
Our where is the 16 digit reference number on V11 guide helps with tax-related reference numbers.
The easiest way to check your MOT due date is at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history. Enter your registration number to see the expiry date, pass/fail results, and full MOT history.
MOT History Check: What You Can See
The MOT history check provides a detailed record of all MOT tests a vehicle has undergone. This information is useful for tracking your vehicle's condition and for used car buyers.
The MOT history record includes:
- Dates of previous tests
- Pass/fail status of each test
- Recorded mileage at the time of each test
- MOT advisories or warnings about potential issues
- Reasons for failure, if applicable
This information helps owners track recurring issues and monitor mileage and advisories over time. It can also be used by potential buyers to assess how well a vehicle has been maintained.
You can check a vehicle's MOT history for free on the UK government website. All you need is the vehicle registration number.
Our automobile transfer of ownership guide explains how to check vehicle records when buying or selling a car.
MOT history records show all test dates, pass/fail results, mileage, advisories, and failure reasons. Check it free at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.
When Is the First MOT Due on a New Car
The first MOT on a new car in England, Scotland, and Wales is due on the third anniversary of the vehicle's first registration date.
For example, if your car was first registered on 1 May 2025, the first MOT is due by 1 May 2028.
You can book the first MOT up to one month (minus a day) before the third anniversary and keep the same renewal date for the following year.
After the first MOT, the vehicle will require a new MOT every 12 months.
In Northern Ireland, the rules are different. The first MOT is due on the fourth anniversary of registration, not the third.
Manufacturers generally register cars directly with the DVLA, which is when the car is given its first number plate and registration date.
If you buy a used car that is under three years old, the same rule applies. The first MOT is still due three years after the vehicle was first registered.
Our does car tax automatically renew guide covers related vehicle renewal rules.
First MOT due 3 years after registration. Can be done up to 1 month early. Northern Ireland first MOT is at 4 years.
What Happens If Your MOT Expires
Driving without a valid MOT has serious consequences. The law requires all vehicles over three years old to have a current MOT certificate unless exempt.
If you drive without a valid MOT, you face:
- A fine of up to £1,000
- Invalidated insurance – your insurer may refuse to pay out if you have an accident
- Your vehicle being seized by the police
There is no grace period for expired MOTs in the UK. The only exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment. You are allowed to drive your vehicle to a pre-booked MOT test, even if the MOT has expired, provided the vehicle is roadworthy and insured.
You cannot drive to a garage for repairs without an MOT. You can only drive to the actual MOT test itself.
According to government statistics, millions of vehicles are driven without a valid MOT each year. The DVSA and police use Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to identify untaxed and un-MOTd vehicles.
Driving without an MOT can result in a £1,000 fine, invalid insurance, penalty points, and vehicle seizure. There is no grace period. Only driving to a pre-booked MOT is exempt.
When Is My Tax and MOT Due
Vehicle tax and MOT are two separate legal requirements. However, they are often discussed together because both are checked by the DVLA.
You need a valid MOT to tax your vehicle. If your MOT expires, you cannot renew your vehicle tax until a valid MOT is in place.
You can check both vehicle tax and MOT status at www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. This service shows both the tax expiry date and MOT expiry date in one place.
If you are unsure about your tax renewal, check our does car tax automatically renew guide for a full explanation.
To find your tax reference number, see our where is the 16 digit reference number on V11 guide.
Vehicle tax and MOT are separate requirements. You need a valid MOT to tax your vehicle. Check both at www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when your MOT is due is essential for every UK driver. An MOT test is a legal requirement for most vehicles over three years old. Driving without a valid MOT can result in a fine of up to £1,000, invalidated insurance, penalty points, and vehicle seizure.
The easiest way to check your MOT due date is the free government service at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history. Enter your registration number to see the expiry date, pass/fail results, and full MOT history. You can also check your MOT pass certificate, V5C logbook, or service records.
The first MOT on a new car is due three years after registration. After that, an MOT is required every 12 months. Northern Ireland follows different rules with the first MOT at four years.
All information in this guide is based on official GOV.UK and DVSA sources. Readers should verify current procedures directly with the government website before making decisions, as rules may change after publication.
Written by
Daniel Reed
Daniel Reed writes about PAYE, payslips, tax codes, workplace deductions and take-home pay in the UK.
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