What happens if I schedule my MOT in advance? 

Scheduling a yearly MOT is an important part of responsible vehicle ownership, however, there are some key considerations to keep in mind if you are planning to book your next MOT before your existing certificate expires. 

What is an MOT? 

During an annual MOT test, a professional tester will inspect your vehicle to determine that it meets critical road safety and environmental standards. Generally, the first MOT is due on the third anniversary of your vehicle's registration, however, certain vehicles will need to be tested on the first anniversary, including class 4 taxis. 

The MOT test typically takes about one hour, during which time a number of different parts of the vehicle will be checked, including the exhaust, wipers, lights, fuel system, braking system, and mirrors. 

Can I schedule my MOT for a date before the expiry of my current MOT certificate? 

MOT certificates are valid for one year, and the date of expiry will always be clearly printed on the certificate itself. 

It is possible to arrange a new MOT test up to one month, minus one day, prior to your certificate running out and still retain the same MOT renewal date. So, let's say your MOT runs out on 10 May. The earliest date you can schedule your MOT for the next year is 11 April if you want to keep the same renewal date. If you do this, your MOT certificate will essentially remain valid for 13 months. 

If you don't mind your renewal date changing, you can book an earlier MOT test. So, if your certificate expires on 10 May and you obtain a new MOT certificate on 7 April, your new renewal date will be 6 April. 

If my MOT is completed earlier than necessary and it fails, am I still allowed to drive my car on my previous MOT certificate until its expiry? 

It is important to note that obtaining a pass on an MOT test does not automatically mean that it will be safe to drive your vehicle for the lifespan of the test certificate, which is typically valid until 12 months has passed. 

However, government rules state that you can drive a vehicle that has failed its MOT if: 

1. No problems categorised as 'dangerous' were listed 

2. You have an existing MOT certificate that is still valid 

Please note that every vehicle you drive must meet minimum roadworthy standards. If you are found to be driving a vehicle that has a 'dangerous' problem on its MOT certificate, you can receive a fine of up to £2,500, receive a driving ban, and have 3 penalty points placed on your driving license. 

Remember, if the MOT on your vehicle has run out, you are not permitted to park or drive your vehicle on the road, and you may be prosecuted if you are caught doing so. There are a handful of exceptions to this rule, as you are permitted to drive your vehicle to a pre-arranged MOT test or from/to a location where it will be repaired. 

So, qualified vehicle professionals will always recommend having any faults properly repaired before driving your vehicle to ensure that you and others will remain safe when out on the road. 

What happens if my MOT certificate is lost or damaged? 

Many garages understand that life happens and some will be able to help you to obtain a replacement. You'll need some key pieces of information to hand, including the registration number of the vehicle and either the V5C reference number or the MOT test number. You may also need to pay a fee, which is typically no more than £10. 

Are there any vehicles that are exempt from requiring an MOT test? 

Yes, motorcycles, vans and cars that are more than 40 years old are not required to have an annual MOT test, provided there have not been any substantial changes made to it in the previous 30 years. If there have been newer alterations made, you will need to obtain an MOT test certificate. 

Electric goods vehicles and tractors that were registered before March 2015 are also not required to have an MOT. If your vehicle is exempt, it is important to declare this when applying for vehicle tax. 

Do all vehicles need to go through the official emissions testing portion of an MOT test? 

While the exhaust emissions of most vehicles are tested during an MOT, there are a small selection of vehicles that are exempt. These vehicles include electric vehicles, hybrids, vehicles with a two-stroke engine, and vehicles with fewer than four wheels. 

How can I prepare my vehicle for its MOT? 

You might be surprised to learn that many vehicles fail their MOT test due to very small and preventable problems, such as faulty light bulbs or number plates in poor condition. 

There are a number of things that you can look at yourself before taking your vehicle to its next MOT, including replacing any light bulbs that are not functioning properly and giving your number plate a quick wash to ensure it is easy to read. 

We also recommend ensuring that your tyres meet strict legal requirements. This is something that is often easily established, as many of the leading tyre brands, including Protyre, have wear indicator ridges. The tread depth of your tyres must be at least 1.6mm deep, with no bald spots in the centre of any tyre. If your tyres don't meet these requirements, your vehicle will fail its MOT. 

We also recommend checking your windscreen, paying special attention to whether there are any chips or cracks. If any damage is found on the 290mm A-zone area of the windscreen that is directly in front of the driver's seat, your vehicle will instantly fail its MOT. 

As your MOT tester will need to check the exhaust emissions of your vehicle and will need to run the engine in order to do so, it is important to ensure it has enough engine oil and fuel. If either of these things are too low, your tester is well within their rights to refuse to perform the test on your vehicle. 

Remember, while minor defects won't automatically result in a failed MOT test, there are plenty of major defects that will because they compromise both your personal safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of other road users and pedestrians. So, if your vehicle warning lights are flashing, it is important to have your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. 

Why not explore the Protyre website to find your nearest garage and book your free vehicle check with our tyre professionals. Similarly, please don't hesitate to get in contact with our team if you have any questions or queries about your vehicle, booking an MOT earlier than legally required or which tyres are best suited to your driving preferences.