How long does an MOT last, and how often do I need one?
An MOT certificate lasts a year. In Great Britain a car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then another every year, due on the anniversary of its last one; taxis and some other vehicles are tested from one year old. In Northern Ireland the first test is at four years old.
Last reviewed . The official sources it draws on, and the date each was read, are listed at the foot of the page.
When does a car need its first MOT?
In Great Britain a car must have its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration. The date to count from is the day it was first registered, which GOV.UK’s free vehicle information check shows, rather than the year it was built.
Some vehicles are tested earlier. GOV.UK’s fee table lists taxis and ambulances, and larger passenger vehicles, as needing their first test at one year old.
How long does the certificate last?
An MOT lasts a year. Once a car is over three years old, the next MOT is due by the anniversary of its last one.
GOV.UK says you can have the test up to a month (minus a day) before the current MOT runs out and keep the same renewal date. Test earlier than that and the renewal date moves to a year (minus a day) from the date the car last passed, so the unused days are lost.
How do I check the date?
The expiry date is printed on the current MOT certificate and recorded in the car’s MOT history, so you can look it up at any time on GOV.UK. A free reminder is available too.
What if the MOT runs out?
Once an MOT has run out you cannot drive or park the car on the road, apart from narrow exceptions, and you can be fined up to £1,000.
What is different in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland the test is run by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). Cars and motorcycles are due their first test at four years old rather than three. Light goods vehicles are tested from three years old.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Getting an MOTRead on 1 October 2026. The third-anniversary rule, the one-year length, the renewal window and the £1,000 fine; the fee table gives the first-test age for each vehicle type.
- nidirect: How the MOT scheme worksRead on 1 October 2026. Northern Ireland: cars and motorcycles are due at four years old, light goods vehicles from three.
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