Free MOT date check
When is my MOT due?
Type the plate and the report shows the exact expiry date DVSA holds, how many days are left, and every past test behind it.
The dates that matter
| First MOT | Due by the third anniversary of the vehicle’s registration. Which new cars fail it. |
|---|---|
| Every year after | Due by the date the current certificate expires. The certificate shows it; so does the report above. |
| Earliest renewal | A month, minus a day, before expiry, keeping the same renewal date. Earlier than that and the anniversary resets. How early to book, and what the data says. |
| Maximum fee | £54.85 for a car, £29.65 for a motorcycle, no VAT. Full class table on GOV.UK. |
| No MOT | Up to a £1,000 fine, invalid insurance in most cases, and no tax renewal. Only permitted drive: to a pre-booked test or to repairs. |
| Exemption | Vehicles made or first registered over 40 years ago and not substantially changed. They must still be kept roadworthy. |
Rules from GOV.UK’s Getting an MOT guide, read 12 September 2026.
Worth doing while you’re here
Run the 10-minute pre-MOT checklist before you book: the commonest failure points are things you can check on the driveway. Then find a test station near you, and read the advisories on the last certificate, because they are the tester telling you what is likely to fail next time.
Questions
How do I find my MOT due date?
Enter the registration above. The report shows the expiry date on the current certificate, the days left, and the full test history behind it. It is the same DVSA record a garage sees, fetched live.
When is a car's first MOT due?
By the third anniversary of its registration. The report shows the exact first-MOT due date DVSA holds for a new vehicle.
Can I get the MOT done early?
Yes. Test up to a month, minus a day, before the current certificate runs out and the new certificate keeps the same renewal date. Test earlier than that and the renewal date moves to a year from the test.
What happens if my MOT runs out?
Driving without a valid MOT carries a fine of up to £1,000, and most insurance policies are void without one. The only journeys allowed are to a pre-booked MOT test or to repairs. Tax also can't be renewed without a valid MOT.
Does any vehicle escape the MOT?
Vehicles made or first registered more than 40 years ago are exempt if they haven't been substantially changed, though they must still be roadworthy. Everything else needs the annual test from year three.
How much will the test cost?
The legal maximum is £54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a motorcycle, with no VAT on top. Garages are free to charge less, and many do.