30 October 2026 · 5 min read
When Does My MOT Expire? How to Check Your Due Date
The quickest way to find out when your MOT runs out is to check the official record using the registration number. Knowing the exact date matters: there is no general grace period once an MOT expires.
How to check when your MOT expires
Use the GOV.UK MOT status checker and enter the vehicle registration. It shows whether the vehicle has a current MOT certificate and its expiry date. You can also check the date on the current MOT certificate if you have it.
To review older results, mileage recorded at tests and available defects or advisories, use the official MOT history service. Our MOT history checker can also help you review available DVSA test records by registration or VIN; the records shown depend on the vehicle.
When does a car need its first MOT?
In Great Britain, most cars need their first MOT by the third anniversary of registration. After that, the test is normally due every year. Some vehicle types have different first-test rules, and Northern Ireland has a separate process, so check the guidance that applies to the vehicle and where it is registered.
Do not rely on the vehicle's age alone to work out its next due date. A previous test taken early may change the renewal date, and imported, adapted or specialist vehicles can have different circumstances. Check the recorded expiry date for the exact registration.
Can I book an MOT before it expires?
You can usually get an MOT up to one month minus a day before the current certificate expires and keep the same renewal date for the following year. If you test earlier than that and pass, the next expiry date will normally be calculated from the new test date instead.
For example, if the certificate expires on 15 May, the earliest date to test and keep that renewal date is 16 April. Confirm the date on the official checker before booking, particularly if the vehicle has a Northern Ireland test history and is moving to a Great Britain test.
What if my MOT has already expired?
There is no general grace period. You must not drive or park the vehicle on a public road with an expired MOT. GOV.UK lists limited exceptions for taking it to or from somewhere to be repaired, or to a pre-arranged MOT test. The vehicle must still be roadworthy; an exception is not permission to drive an unsafe vehicle.
Driving without a valid MOT can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. You also cannot renew vehicle tax if the MOT has expired, so check the MOT and tax position before using the car.
Buying a used car? Check more than the expiry date
A current MOT tells you that the vehicle passed a test at a particular time; it is not a guarantee of its present condition. Before buying, review earlier passes and failures, compare the mileage readings in date order, and look for advisories that recur. Then compare what you find with service records and the car itself.
MOT history is one part of due diligence, not a complete vehicle history or mechanical inspection. For a broader checklist, see our used-car history red flags guide.