Can I MOT my car early? Yes, you can MOT your car early, and there’s no limit on how early you can book an MOT test. However, it’s important to note that the due date of your annual MOT test will alter if you decide to MOT your car more than one month early.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about booking your car in for an MOT test early, including why you might decide to do this and how you go about booking in for the test.
Can You Do MOT Test Early?
There are some circumstances where you might want to take your car for an MOT test before its due date. For example, this is often the case when you’re selling a car, as having a recent MOT certificate can help to increase the value of your car.
There’s no minimum time period between MOT tests, so you can take your car for an MOT as often as you choose. However, it’s important to note that an MOT test certificate is only valid for one year from the date of the test. So, if you book your MOT early, it will only be valid for one year from the date of the test.
If you want to keep your annual MOT renewal date the same, the DVSA allows for a one month grace period, so that you can take your car for an MOT up to one month early without affecting your annual due date.
It’s also worth noting that, if your car is due an MOT in the near future, you can book it in for the test up to one month before its due date without affecting your MOT renewal date. This can be useful if you’re going away on holiday and won’t have time to take your car for the test when it’s due.
For example, if your car’s MOT is due on 1st January, and you have the test carried out on 15th December, the certificate will be valid until 31st December the following year. This is because there is a grace period of one month, where you can MOT your car slightly early without affecting the annual renewal date.
How Early Can I MOT My Car Before The Due Date?
You can book your car in for an MOT test as early as you like, and there’s no limit on how early you can book the test. However, it’s important to note that the due date of your annual MOT will alter if you decide to MOT your car more than one month before its due date.
For example, if your car is due an MOT on 1st January, and you have the test carried out on 15th December, the certificate will be valid until 31st December the following year. This is because there is a grace period of one month, where you can MOT your car slightly early without affecting the annual renewal date.
However, if you decided to have your MOT test carried out on 16th November, the certificate would only be valid until 15th November the following year. This is because, by having the test more than one month before the due date, you have effectively moved your annual MOT renewal date forward by one month.
It’s important to be aware of this if you book your MOT early, as it can affect when your car’s next MOT is due.
Why Would I Want To Get My Car MOT Early?
There are some circumstances where you might want to take your car for an MOT test your current MOT certificate expires. For example, this is often the case when you’re selling a car, as having a recent MOT certificate can help to increase the value of your car.
Another common reason for getting an early MOT is if you’re buying a used car and you want to check its history. An MOT certificate will show any faults that were found during the test, which can give you an idea of the general condition of the car.
Of course, you can also just choose to book your car in for an MOT early if you want to be extra cautious and make sure that your car is in good condition.
How Do I Book My Car In For An Early MOT Test?
If you want to book your car in for an early MOT test, simply contact your local MOT testing centre and make an appointment. You’ll need the following information to hand when booking:
- Your vehicle registration number
- The make and model of your car
- The date of your last MOT test
Once you have this information, you can call the MOT testing centre and book an appointment for your car.
How Much Does An MOT Cost?
The DVSA, that’s the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, set the maximum cost of an MOT test in the UK. This is currently set at £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for motorcycles. However, some MOT test centres offer lower prices, so it’s worth shopping around before booking your MOT test.
What Happens In An MOT Test?
The MOT test is a thorough check of your car, to make sure that it meets the legal standards for road safety and emissions. The test is carried out by a qualified technician, and they will check the following areas of your car:
- Tyres and wheels
- Lights
- Steering and suspension
- Wipers and washers
- Windscreen
- Horn
- Seat belts
- Bodywork
- Doors
- Mirrors
- Load security
- Fuel system
- Exhaust emissions
- Brakes
If you’re car fails the MOT test, you’ll be given a ‘refusal of an MOT certificate’ and you won’t be able to legally drive your car on the roads.
If your car does fail the MOT test, don’t worry, as most faults can be easily fixed. The MOT testing centre will give you a list of things that need to be repaired, and you’ll just need to take your car to a garage to get the work done.
Once the repairs have been made, you can take your car back to the MOT testing centre and they’ll retest it. If your car passes the second time around, you’ll be given an MOT certificate and you’ll be able to legally drive your car on the roads.
Can You MOT A Car 2 Months Early?
Yes, you can MOT a car 2 months early if you want to. However, it’s important to be aware that this will effectively move your annual MOT renewal date forward by 2 months.
This means that if you have your MOT is due on 7th August and you decide to book the test for 7th June, your MOT is effectively valid until 6th June the following year, so you will not have the same renewal date next year.
It’s important to be aware of this if you book your MOT early, as it can affect when your car’s next MOT is due.
Can A Car Dealer MOT A Car Early?
When you’re buying a used car, it’s important that you know what you’re getting yourself into. After all, no one wants to buy a car only to later find out it has significant problems that will be costly to fix.
It’s a good idea to ask the car dealership for the expiry date of the existing MOT certificate. You’ll often find that they are reluctant to MOT the vehicle if there is more than one month before the MOT expiry date. However, they are able to MOT the vehicle at any time – they don’t need to wait until the MOT expires to do so.
So, it’s well worth asking the dealership to MOT the vehicle before you buy it, to give you that extra peace of mind.
How Long Does An MOT Last?
An MOT certificate is valid for one year from the date of the test. After this, your car will need to undergo another MOT test to check that it meets the legal standards for road safety and emissions.
If you want to keep on top of your car’s maintenance, it’s a good idea to book an appointment for an MOT test a few weeks before it’s due. This will give you time to get any necessary repairs done before your MOT expires.
If you’re unsure when your car’s next MOT is due, you can check the date on your previous MOT certificate. Alternatively, you can use the DVSA’s online tool to check when your car is due for its next MOT.
You will need to enter your car’s registration number and the date of its last MOT test. The DVSA’s online tool will then tell you when your car is due for its next MOT.
How Long Does An MOT Take?
An MOT test usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. However, this can vary depending on the make and model of your car, and how many faults it has.
It’s important to arrive on time for your MOT test, as the testing centre may not be able to accommodate you if you’re late.
What Happens If I Fail My MOT Test?
If you fail your MOT test, don’t worry – most faults can be easily fixed. The testing centre will give you a list of things that need to be repaired, and you’ll just need to take your car to a garage to get the work done.
Once the repairs have been made, you can take your car back to the MOT testing centre and they’ll retest it. If your car passes the second time around, you’ll be given an MOT certificate and you’ll be able to legally drive your car on the roads.
What If I Lost My MOT Certificate?
If you’ve lost your MOT certificate, don’t worry – you can view the details of all previous MOTs on the DVSA website, simply by inputting your registration plate details.
Alternatively, you can request a new MOT certificate online from the DVSA. To do this, you will need your registration plate, along with the 11 digit number from your vehicle log book (V5C).
In Summary
An MOT test is a legal requirement for all cars that are more than 3 years old. The test ensures that your car is safe to drive on the roads, and it also checks the emissions levels of your vehicle.
You can book an MOT test up to one month before the existing certificate expires, and you can also have your car MOT’d early if you’re buying a used car.
In this article, we have answered the question ‘can I MOT my car early’, as well as answering some of the most commonly asked questions about MOT tests.