How often does a car need an MOT?
A brand-new car will need to undergo its first MOT three years after its registration. After that, an MOT will need to be carried out on an annual basis.
An MOT is a legal requirement, and you cannot drive if you don’t have a valid certificate in place. If you’re caught driving without a valid MOT certificate, you could be fined up to £1,000. If your car is considered to be dangerous, this fine could increase to £2,500. In addition to this, you could also receive penalty points and a driving ban.
When is my MOT due?
You can check your vehicle’s MOT status here. You’ll need to provide your registration number.
When can I book my car in for its MOT?
You can book your car in for its MOT up to a month (minus a day) before your current MOT expires.
This means that it is possible that you can fail an MOT test while your car’s previous MOT is still valid. If this is the case, you can drive your car away, as long as it meets the minimum roadworthiness standards. If your car does not meet these standards and you take it onto the road, you could be committing a criminal offence.
If your ‘old’ MOT has expired, you can only take your car to either a pre-booked MOT test or to fix the problems that caused your car to fail. Again, you should ensure that your car still meets roadworthiness standards.
It’s worth double-checking that your insurance will still cover you in either situation.
How much does an MOT cost?
The maximum amount a garage can charge for an MOT is £54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a motorcycle.
Check your car before your MOT is due
According to MoneySavingExpert, 11% of vehicles fail their MOT because of a broken light bulb – something that can be easily fixed.
MOT fails for something simple - and avoidable - can be particularly frustrating.
Before you take your car for its MOT, be sure to give it a once-over and check everything is in working order and there are no obvious issues.
Make sure all the lights are working and that your tyre pressure and tyre tread are correct.
If you’re wondering how to check your tyre tread depth, one of the easiest ways is the 20p test - this article can tell you more.
If you notice any issues with your car, you might want to take it to a mechanic before your MOT.
What happens when a car fails its MOT?
Your Refusal of MOT Test Certificate (VT30) should say why your car has failed and what needs to be fixed.
This could be a simple issue, such as a broken headlight or a windscreen wiper, or it could be more complicated and costly.
Remember, you cannot legally drive a car that’s failed its MOT.
Can I appeal a failed MOT?
Yes, you can. If your car has failed its MOT when you believe it should have in fact passed, you can appeal the decision. For more information on how to do this, take a look at the gov.uk website.
Getting your car retested after a failed MOT
If you leave your car at the test centre for repairs and a retest is carried out within 10 working days, you will not have to pay an additional MOT test fee.
If you take your car away, get repairs elsewhere, and then return it to the test centre within 10 working days, you’ll typically be charged a partial retest fee.
In all other circumstances, you’ll be required to book and pay for a full MOT retest.
Need money to pay for a car that’s failed its MOT?
If you need your car for commuting or the school run, and there’s no other way to make these journeys, then fixing your vehicle’s issues is likely to be your top priority.
But what if you don’t have the money to hand? When a financial emergency like a failed MOT hits, it can be very worrying, especially if you don’t have savings.
Could a family member or close friend help you out?
If this isn’t a possibility, you might think about searching for a short-term loan to help cover the cost. As a credit broker, CashLady could help you search for a suitable short-term loan for car repairs.
Search for a short-term loan with CashLady
CashLady makes it possible for you to search for a personal loan between £100 and £10,000. Unlike payday loans, which need to be repaid in full, plus interest, within a month, a short-term loan comes with a range of repayment terms to choose from.
Depending on the amount of money you apply to borrow, you could repay your short-term loan over 3 to 60 months.
You can search for a loan for car repairs with CashLady if you:
- Are over the age of 18;
- Are a UK resident;
- Have a UK bank account with a valid debit card; and
- Have a regular source of income paid into your bank account.
Worried about money?
Whether it’s cost-of-living or debt concerns, you can access free financial advice from StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.