You and your MOT

All cars in the UK are required to pass their MOT test each year. According to government guidelines at www.gov.uk/browse/driving/mot-insurance your MOT certificate confirms that at the time of the test your vehicle met, as far as can be reasonably determined without dismantling it, the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards as required by law. It does not mean that your vehicle will necessarily be roadworthy for the life of the certificate and is not a substitute for regular maintenance.

MOT test results are now computerised (they used to be handwritten) and the new A4 certificate issued is a receipt of test results. To check your MOT results and test status you need to access the MOT database at www.motinfo.gov.uk run by the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency. You need an MOT to apply for a new Vehicle Excising Licence (vehicle tax disc) – you can now do this online on the DVLA website if you have the new computerised certificate. With this new system the police can also access the database and find out immediately if you don’t have an MOT certificate.

MOT tests are required for all cars over three years old and must be taken annually. For vehicles registered ‘from new’ the first test date would be three years from registration. For vehicles used prior to registration (imports for example), the first test is required three years from manufacture. You can test your car within one calendar month before the required date but the MOT certificate still ties in with the date of the first MOT certificate or the previous one. If an MOT is taken earlier than one month before its due date, it will only run for 12 months from the test date.

The MOT scheme is run and operated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). It supervises around 19,000 garages to carry out MOTs in the UK. VOSA maintains test methods, standards, trains authorised examiners and nominated testers and deals with complaints. You can identify approved test stations from the blue ‘three triangles’ logo that they have to display.

There are several components looked at during an MOT. These include vehicle identification number, registration plate, lights, steering, suspension, wipers, washers, windscreen, horn, seatbelts, seats, fuel system, exhaust emissions, exhaust system, vehicle structure, doors, mirrors, wheels and tyres and brakes.

For cars with up to eight seats, an MOT test costs £50.35. This is also the fee for motor caravans, dual-purpose vehicles and all public service vehicles (regardless of the age of the vehicle or the number of seats). For private passenger vehicles (nine to 12 seats) the cost is £52.60 – these vehicles must be tested after one year and annually after that. Prices correct in March 2008. The source of the costs is from Directgov
http://direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022514

If you’re not satisfied with the results of your test you should discuss it with your test station first. If still in doubt, don’t let anyone do any more repairs and let VOSA know. You must fill out an appeal form (get one from your test station or call 0845 600 5977). This must be returned within 14 days of the test date with the full test fee. If your appeal is successful some or your entire fee may be refunded. Repairs may still need doing in order to get your MOT certificate if you lose the appeal.

A valid MOT certificate is not a guarantee of road-worthiness if you need to make a claim on your car insurance. You are responsible for maintaining your vehicle between MOT tests.