The MOT test explained: what's checked, what it costs and what to do if you fail

The MOT is a yearly safety and emissions check that most cars need once they are three years old. It isn't a service. It checks that the car is roadworthy on the day, and it says nothing about how long the engine or gearbox will last.

When your car needs one

A car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that. You can book the test up to a month (minus a day) before the current certificate runs out and keep the same renewal date. So if your MOT runs out on 15 May, you can have it done from 16 April and the new certificate still runs to 15 May the following year.

Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The exceptions are driving to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs after a failure. You can check any vehicle's test history, and sign up for a free reminder, on GOV.UK.

What gets tested

The tester works through the official inspection manual. For a car or small van, that covers:

• Identification: registration plates and the vehicle identification number.
• Brakes: the foot brake, handbrake, and anti-lock braking if fitted.
• Steering: the condition of the steering mechanism, including electric power steering.
• Visibility: the windscreen, wipers, washers and mirrors.
• Lights and electrics: headlights, indicators, brake lights, wiring and the battery.
• Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension: wheel bearings, tyre condition and tread depth, tyre pressure monitoring where fitted, springs and shock absorbers.
• Body and structure: corrosion and damage that weakens the car, the exhaust, bumpers, doors, seats and the floor.
• Other equipment: seat belts, airbags, horn, speedometer and electronic stability control.
• Nuisance: excessive noise, exhaust emissions, engine warning lights and fluid leaks.

The test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. A car can pass its MOT and still need an expensive repair soon after.

Five-minute checks before you go

A lot of failures come from small things you can spot yourself:

• Walk round the car with the lights on and check every bulb, including the brake lights and number plate lights. Ask someone to press the brake pedal while you look.
• Look at your tyres for cuts, bulges and low tread. The legal minimum is 1.6mm. See our tyre guide for the 20p check.
• Check your wipers clear the screen cleanly and the washer bottle has fluid.
• Look for chips or cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
• Check the number plates are clean, undamaged and legible.
• Try the horn, mirrors and seat belts.
• Note any warning lights that stay on after the engine has started. An engine warning light on its own can be a fail.
• Look under the car where it has been parked for fresh oil or fluid.

What the result means

Every defect found is put in one of these groups:

• Advisory: something to watch. Your car still passes.
• Minor: a small problem that doesn't affect the pass. Fix it soon.
• Major: a fail. The defect could affect safety or the environment.
• Dangerous: a fail, and the car should not be driven until it's fixed. Driving a car that failed on a dangerous defect can bring a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.

If you fail but your old certificate is still valid and there is no dangerous defect, you can drive the car away. It must still be roadworthy.

Retests

These are the national rules. Ask the garage how it applies them.

• Leave the car at the garage for repair: the partial retest is free if it's done within 10 working days.
• Take it away and bring it back by the end of the next working day: free for a short list of simple items, such as tyres, mirrors and doors.
• Take it away and bring it back within 10 working days: you pay a partial retest fee.
• After 10 working days: you pay the full MOT fee again.

What it costs

The most a garage can charge for a car MOT is £54.85, and the figure for a motorcycle is £29.65. Many garages charge less. The price is a ceiling, not a standard rate, so it's worth comparing a few garages near you. Choosing a garage on price alone is fine for an MOT, because every test centre follows the same official standards.