When Will a New Car Need Its First MOT?
FixMyCar discusses when new cars need their first MOT test.
Book an MOT nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Friday January 31 2025
7 min read
Owning a car comes with many responsibilities, and ensuring it has a valid MOT certificate is one of the most important. However, if you’ve recently bought a new car, it’s not something you need to worry about right away.
New cars are exempt from MOTs for a few years, giving you plenty of time to enjoy stress-free driving before your first test is due.
In this guide, we’ll explain when your new car will need its first MOT and what you should expect when the time comes.
When do new cars need their first MOT?
Cars in the UK must have their first MOT test three years after their registration date (except in Northern Ireland, where it’s four years). If your car was imported and you don’t know when it was registered, you should add three years after the manufacturer date.
An MOT aims to check whether a car is roadworthy, meaning it’s safe to drive and has acceptable emissions. After three years, most vehicles will have done enough miles and sustained enough wear and tear to warrant an inspection.
Conducting an MOT at this stage helps to identify mechanical issues, emissions concerns and safety hazards.
Plans to extend to four years scrapped
In 2017, the UK government considered extending the three-year age limit for new car MOTs to four years, which is the timeframe used in countries such as Ireland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Norway.
However, it was decided that, although modern cars are much safer, there is still an increased risk for each year a vehicle is on the road. The UK has some of the safest roads in the world, and the risk of increasing the limit to four years was deemed too high.
The same issue was investigated again in 2022/23 under Rishi Sunak’s leadership. However, the new car MOT age limit remains three years.
Finding your renewal date
New cars typically don’t need their first MOT until three years after registration. If you think yours might be due soon but aren’t sure of the date, you can find out in a few different ways.
DVLA website: You can find official information about your car’s MOT history on the DVLA website, including the dates of any previous tests and when the next one is due.
V5C logbook: Your car’s logbook, also known as its registration document, contains essential information, including the date your vehicle was registered.
Service records: Maintenance and servicing documents might record information about your car’s MOT.
MOT testing station/garage: Your local garage will be happy to check when your first MOT is due if you give them your registration number.
Booking an MOT test
You can book an MOT up to one month (minus a day) before your current certificate expires, and the test must be carried out at a certified MOT test centre. Booking in advance ensures you stay compliant with the law and means you’re more likely to get a convenient appointment time.
The government has set the maximum price of an MOT at £54.85 - but many test centres charge less than that, and some offer a deal if you book an MOT and service together.
FixMyCar can help you compare local garages based on price, reviews and location. Enter your registration number to start receiving quotes.
The test usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour.
What to expect during the MOT
An MOT is a comprehensive test of a car’s safety and functionality. The following components will be checked:
Fuel system
Horn
Seats
Steering and suspension
Wipers and screenwash reservoir
Any signs of damage or corrosion will also be noted, and you’ll receive a final report flagging any issues and stating whether your car passed or failed.
Preparing for your first MOT
Did you know that some causes of MOT failure are easily preventable? Broken lights and bald tyres are two good examples.
This guide covers the five most common reasons for MOT failure and how to avoid them. We’ve also created a simplified checklist to help you prepare.
| Action | Explanation | Helpful Guides |
|---|---|---|
| Check lights & signals | All exterior lights (headlights, fog lights, indicators, brake lights) should be working correctly. Replace broken bulbs. | - How to check your car’s lights - How to change a car headlight bulb |
| Inspect tyres | Tyres should be in good condition with at least 1.6mm of tread. | - Ultimate guide to tyre tread - What tyres does your car need? |
| Check suspension & steering | Inspect these systems for signs of damage, wear and leaks. The steering wheel shouldn’t be overly stiff, and there should be no unusual noises. | - How to diagnose common suspension problems |
| Test brakes | Apply firm pressure to the brake pedal. Check for unusual vibrations, noises and brake fluid leaks. | - Five brake problems you shouldn’t ignore - How to check and change brake fluid |
| Check mirrors and windscreen | The windscreen should be free from chips and cracks that could obstruct the driver’s view. Mirrors should be stable and clear. | - Ultimate guide to car windscreens |
| Assess exhaust | The exhaust system should be secure and leak-free. Excessive or discoloured smoke signals an emissions problem. | - Blue smoke from your exhaust - White smoke from your exhaust - Black smoke from your exhaust |
| Clean & check interior | Remove any clutter and ensure all seatbelts work as expected. | - Tips for cleaning your car’s interior |
Once the MOT is complete, your car will be given one of three results:
✅ Pass - The vehicle meets safety and environmental standards and is issued a new MOT certificate for the next 12 months.
⚠️ Advisory - The vehicle meets safety and environmental standards, but some issues have been identified that need to be monitored.
❌ Fail - The vehicle cannot be driven on UK roads. You’ll have to schedule repairs and get it retested.
Find out what to do if your car fails its mot.
Does your new car need an MOT?
If it’s time for your car’s first MOT, FixMyCar can help you find and book a reliable local garage online.
Frequently asked questions
You won't automatically be reminded of your first MOT date. If you want to be notified, you'll have to sign up for text message or email reminders on the government website, which you can do at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/mot-reminder.
You can’t drive or park on public roads without a valid MOT. Driving with an expired certificate is illegal, and it could land you with a fine. If you’ve missed your MOT due date, contact your local test centre as soon as possible to book an appointment.
Yes, you can schedule an MOT appointment up to one month before your current expiry date.
There are serious consequences for not having an MOT. You could be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000 and your insurance could be invalidated. There are two exceptions to this rule: if you are keeping your car off the road (and you have a valid SORN), or if you are driving your car to be repaired before an MOT re-test.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.