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6 Answers You Should Know About Changing Vehicle’s MOT Date


Are you thinking can you change your car’s MOT date? The answer is Yes you can and it is possible to change the due date. To change the date of your MOT test Warwick, you will need to have your car MOT done before so that you can change the due date of your MOT in future years.

In this article, we are going to discuss all the information related to changing the date of your car’s MOT. We will also answer some of the most common questions related to MOT.

Can You Change An MOT Date?

If you have recently purchased a used car, you get to know the date on which the MOT is due. If you found this date is not good as per your working schedule, you might be wondering how you changed the MOT due date to make it fit into your schedule.

It is not easy to change the MOT date. It is not like logging onto your computer and requesting a date change. To change the date of your MOT, you will need to have an MOT performed on your car earlier than the due date. 

If your MOT is more than a month before the due date, it will be due on the same date of the following year. This is the only option you have to change the due date of your MOT and there are no other ways to do it.

When Is Your MOT Due Date?

Before you book your MOT appointment, it’s important to check when is your car MOT due. Usually, your MOT is due after three years of its registration or annually. However, this may vary if the car has ever been taken for an MOT test early on.

If you are confused and unsure, you can find your car's MOT due date on the government website. You will need to fill in your registration plate number and confirm that you mentioned the information is correct before you are given the due date of your car’s road tax and MOT.

How Early Can I Have An MOT Test?

If your car’s MOT is due, you might be wondering how early you can book an appointment for the MOT test. You can book your car MOT test at any time. It is not mandatory to book your MOT appointment when the due date is close. But, if you have your MOT more than a month early, the due date of your next MOT will be one year subtracted one day from the date of your MOT.  

If want to maintain your MOT date that same each year, you can send your car for its MOT test a month before its due date. Once your car passes its MOT test, your car will be signed off as safe to drive on roads for another year after your MOT due date. This way you can have an MOT up to one month early, without bringing your future due date sooner. 

Do You Any Grace Period For An MOT?

As you pass your MOT test you will get an MOT certificate, which will have an expiry date on it. This is the due date by which your car must be tested again. If you fail to get your car tested by this date, you will not be able to drive your car on the road legally.

As of now, there is no grace period for MOTs in the UK. You must have your car’s MOT test on or before the due date. If your car’s MOT expires, you cannot park your car on a public road or any public place. If you are caught by police while driving your car without a valid MOT, they can give you a fine of up to £1,000 and may also give you penalty points.

What Happens If Your Car’s MOT Expired?

If your car’s MOT expires, you will not be able to drive your car on a public road, and you can’t park your car on public park lot, driveway or other public places. If you are caught doing so, you will have to pay a hefty fine of up to £1,000 or in some cases you may also get penalty points.

You need to keep your car on your private property until you schedule your next MOT test. You may also need to declare your car as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) if you don’t have a plan to get an MOT certificate for your vehicle. 

Can You Drive A Car Without An MOT?

The simple answer is No you can not drive a car that does not have a valid MOT. But, there are some exceptions to this rule for driving your car without MOT. 

If you have a booked appointment for an MOT test you can able to drive your car to the MOT centre. But if you are pulled over by police you need to show proof of the scheduled MOT test appointment. 

If you don’t want to renew your car’s MOT and have no plans to drive your car on the road. You need to declare your car as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).

Otherwise, if you are caught driving your car without mot you could be fined by the police. The best way to avoid getting fined is to keep your car on your private property until you are ready to take it for an MOT test. 

You can book an appointment for an MOT test at any time, but if you have it done early, you will need to keep it off the road until your MOT test Warwick has been performed.