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When Is My MOT Due? How to Check and Never Miss It

Missing your MOT expiry means you cannot legally drive, your insurance may be invalid, and you face a fine of up to £1,000. Here is how to check your date and make sure you never miss it.

How to Check Your MOT Due Date

1. GOV.UK online checker (recommended)

Go to gov.uk/check-mot-status and enter your registration number. You will see the expiry date of your current MOT certificate instantly. Free, no registration required.

2. Your V5C (logbook)

Section 6 of your V5C shows the date of first registration. Your first MOT is due 3 years from this date. After that, the expiry date is on your most recent MOT certificate.

3. Your previous MOT certificate

The VT20 pass certificate shows the expiry date at the top. Keep this in the car or take a photo of it.

The 1-Month Early Booking Rule

You can MOT your car up to 1 month minus 1 day before the current certificate expires without losing any time. Your new certificate will start from the old expiry date, giving you a full 12 months from that point.

Example

Your MOT expires on 15 June 2026. You can test from 16 May 2026 onwards. If you test on 20 May and pass, your new certificate runs until 15 June 2027 (not 20 May 2027). You lose no time.

If you test earlier than 1 month minus 1 day before expiry, your new certificate starts from the date of the test, not from the old expiry. You effectively lose the remaining days on your current certificate.

Example (testing too early)

Your MOT expires on 15 June 2026. You test on 1 May 2026 (more than a month early). Your new certificate runs until 1 May 2027. You have lost 45 days.

What Happens If You Miss Your MOT?

Consequence	Detail
Fine	Up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT
Insurance	Your car insurance may be invalidated. If you have an accident, the insurer may refuse to pay.
ANPR detection	Police automatic number plate recognition cameras flag vehicles with expired MOTs. You can be pulled over.
Vehicle seizure	In serious cases, the police can seize your vehicle.
No grace period	There is no grace period. The day after your MOT expires, you are driving illegally (unless going to a pre-booked test).

The one exception: You can legally drive a car without a valid MOT if you are driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test appointment. The car must still be roadworthy.

Set Up Free MOT Reminders

The simplest way to never miss your MOT is to sign up for the free GOV.UK reminder service:

1. Go to gov.uk/mot-reminder
2. Enter your registration number and email address (or phone number for SMS)
3. You will receive a reminder approximately 1 month before your MOT expires

You can also add a recurring calendar reminder for the same date each year, or use the AA or RAC apps which offer similar reminder services.

When to Book for the Best Deal

Use the 1-month early window to your advantage. Once you receive your reminder, you have up to 4 weeks to shop around and find the cheapest MOT:

- Midweek is cheapest: Tuesday to Thursday tends to be quieter, with better availability and sometimes lower prices
- Avoid plate-change months: March and September are the busiest months for MOT centres because of the 3-year first-MOT surge
- Book online: Many chains offer online-only discounts of £5-15 off the standard price
- Compare platforms: Use comparison sites to find the cheapest option in your area

New Car Owners: When Is Your First MOT?

A brand-new car does not need an MOT until 3 years after its date of first registration. This date is shown on your V5C (logbook) in section 6. It is not necessarily the date you bought the car, as dealer demo cars and pre-registered vehicles may have an earlier first registration date.

For more detail on what to expect at your first MOT, see our first MOT guide for new car owners.