What you'll see
Enter any UK number plate and you get the key dates for that car in one place:
- The MOT expiry date, taken straight from the DVSA's records
- How many days are left before it runs out
- The earliest day you can get the test done and keep the same renewal date
- The date of the first test, if the car is too new to have had one
- A reminder you can save to your phone or calendar
Want to know what the car failed on last time? The MOT history check shows every past result, advisory and mileage reading, so you know what to fix before the next test.
How to check your MOT due date
- Find your number plate. That's all you need. You don't need the V5C logbook or your old certificate.
- Type it into the yellow box at the top of this page and press Check date.
- Read the date. We show the day your MOT runs out and how long you have left.
- Save a reminder. Tap the link under your result to add the booking date to your calendar.
You'll find the same date on your last MOT certificate and on GOV.UK. They all use the same DVSA records, so they should always match.
How early can you MOT a car?
You can get your car tested up to a month minus a day before the MOT runs out and still keep the same renewal date. Your new MOT simply starts where the old one ends, so you don't lose a single day.
| Your MOT runs out on | Earliest day to keep the same date |
|---|---|
| 15 May | 16 April |
| 3 January | 4 December |
| 20 September | 21 August |
You can test even earlier if you like, but your new MOT then runs out a year minus a day after the test. Any time you had left on the old one is gone.
When you book, it pays to shop around. The most a test centre can charge for a car MOT is £54.85, and plenty of garages charge less.
When is my MOT due on a new or older car?
A brand new car doesn't need an MOT straight away. In England, Scotland and Wales, the first test is due three years after the car's first registration. In Northern Ireland, it's four years. After that, the car needs an MOT every year.
So a car first registered on 10 June 2024 needs its first MOT by 10 June 2027. The registration date is on the V5C logbook, but our tool works it out from the number plate for you.
At the other end, most cars built or first registered more than 40 years ago don't need an MOT at all. That only applies if nobody has made big changes to the car in the last 30 years, such as fitting a different engine or changing the chassis.
What happens if your MOT runs out?
There's no grace period. Once the date passes, the car isn't legal to drive on the road, and the trouble adds up quickly:
- The police can fine you up to £1,000
- You can't tax the car until it passes a new MOT
- Your insurer may refuse to pay out if you have a crash
- Number plate cameras can flag the car, so you may get stopped even on a short trip
You can still drive to a test you've already booked, or to a garage for repairs it needs to pass. If you keep the car off the road and declare it SORN, you don't need an MOT until you want to use it again.
Get a reminder so you don't miss it
It's easy to forget, because nobody sends you an MOT reminder unless you sign up for one. Two quick fixes sort that out:
- Save our calendar reminder. It pops up on the first day you can book and keep your renewal date.
- Sign up on GOV.UK. The free MOT reminder service sends you a text or email a month before the date.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive my car on the day the MOT runs out?
Yes. Your MOT stays valid until the end of the date shown, so you can drive as normal that day. From the next morning, you can only drive to a booked test or to a garage for repairs.
Can I get a copy of my MOT certificate?
Yes. For tests in England, Scotland and Wales, you can download current and past certificates free on GOV.UK with the reg and the 11 digit number from your V5C logbook. In Northern Ireland, you apply for a duplicate through NI Direct.
Do I get a reminder when my MOT is due?
Not automatically. The DVLA sends tax reminders, but nobody sends MOT reminders unless you sign up for the free GOV.UK reminder service. It sends a text or email a month before your MOT runs out. Some garages send reminders too if you tested there last year.
Can I drive to my MOT if it has run out?
Yes, but only if you've booked the test and you drive straight there. The car must also be safe to drive. If the police stop you, they may ask for proof of the booking, so keep the confirmation on your phone.
Does the MOT stay with the car when I buy it?
Yes. The MOT belongs to the car, not the owner, so it carries on until its normal end date. Road tax doesn't transfer, though, so you need to tax the car in your name before you drive it away.