When is a car's first MOT due?
A brand-new car has three MOT-free years. Here is when the first test falls due, and how the yearly date is set after that.
When does a car need its first MOT?
A car needs its first MOT three years from the date it was first registered, not from when you bought it. After that first test, it needs an MOT every year. A few vehicle types, such as some taxis and larger passenger vehicles, need one from year one instead.
| Age of car | MOT needed? |
|---|---|
| Under 3 years old | No (for a standard car) |
| 3 years old | Yes, the first MOT is due |
| Every year after | Yes, annually |
How do I find the exact date?
Check the registration date on the V5C logbook and add three years, or look the car up on the government MOT history service, which shows the due date. You can have the test done up to a month (minus a day) before the anniversary and keep the same renewal date.
What next
Look up any car's MOT history and see what it fails on.
Sources: When to get an MOT, gov.uk ยท Check the MOT history of a vehicle, gov.uk