A new car in the UK needs its first MOT test three years from the date it was first registered. For vehicles registered in Northern Ireland, the first MOT is required four years after registration. After the initial test, an MOT is required annually.

The MOT test checks a wide range of safety and environmental aspects of your vehicle to ensure it meets the minimum legal standards required to be driven on UK roads. Some of the key areas checked include:  

Brakes: Ensuring they function effectively and are balanced. This includes checks on the brake pedal, discs, pads, calipers, pipes, and handbrake.  

Tyres and Wheels: Checking the tyre tread depth (must be at least 1.6mm), condition (no cuts or bulges), and that wheels are securely fitted.

Lights: All lights, including headlights, taillights, indicators, brake lights, and fog lights, are checked for correct function, condition, and alignment.  

Steering and Suspension: Ensuring the steering wheel and column are in good condition, there's no excessive play in the system, and suspension components are free from damage.  

Seatbelts: Checking their condition, secure fitting, and proper functioning of the locking mechanism.  

Bodywork: Looking for sharp edges or excessive corrosion, especially near safety-related parts.  

Exhaust and Emissions: For petrol and diesel vehicles, emissions are tested to ensure they meet environmental standards. The exhaust system is also checked for leaks and secure fitting.  

Mirrors: Ensuring they are present, secure, and provide adequate visibility.  

Windscreen Wipers: Checking they operate correctly and effectively clear the windscreen.  

Fluids: Checking levels of essential fluids like windscreen washer fluid; some centres may also check brake fluid and oil levels.

Horn: Ensuring it works and is loud enough.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Confirming it is displayed and legible.  

The MOT test does not typically cover the condition of the engine, clutch, or gearbox.  

You need to get your car MOT tested annually after it reaches either three years old (England, Scotland, Wales) or four years old (Northern Ireland) from its registration date. You can check the expiry date of your current MOT certificate. The GOV.UK website also has a free tool where you can check the MOT status of a vehicle by entering its registration number. It's a good idea to set a reminder a few weeks before your MOT is due.  

Driving without a valid MOT certificate in the UK is illegal and can result in serious penalties. You could face:  

• A fine of up to £1,000.
• Penalty points on your driving license.
• Your car being seized by the police.
• Invalidation of your car insurance, meaning you won't be covered if you have an accident.
• For "dangerous" problems that cause an MOT failure, the fine can be up to £2,500, and you could also be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points.  

The only exceptions to driving without a valid MOT are when you are driving:

• To a pre-booked MOT test appointment at a nominated test centre.
• To a garage for repairs needed to pass an MOT test.

Even in these cases, your car must still be roadworthy.

If your car fails its MOT, you will be given a "refusal of an MOT test certificate" which lists the reasons for failure, categorised as either "dangerous" or "major" faults.

• If your car has "dangerous" faults, you cannot drive it on public roads until these faults are repaired and the car passes a retest.  
• If your car has "major" faults, you also should not drive it on public roads until they are fixed. However, if your existing MOT certificate is still valid and no "dangerous" faults were listed, you might be able to drive it away, but it is still illegal if the vehicle is unroadworthy.  

You will need to get the necessary repairs done and then take your car for a retest. If you take your vehicle back to the same test centre within 10 working days for a partial retest after repairs, the retest may be free or offered at a reduced price. If you take it elsewhere for repairs or return after 10 working days, you will likely have to pay for a full MOT test again.

You can get your MOT test done up to one month minus one day before your current MOT expiry date and still keep the same renewal date for the following year. For example, if your MOT expires on the 15th of May, the earliest you can get it tested and still have the expiry date remain the 15th of May next year is the 16th of April.

You can also get an MOT done earlier than this, but the new MOT certificate will then be valid for 12 months from the date of the new test, and you will lose the remaining validity on your current certificate.

Getting your MOT done early can give you time to address any potential issues before your current certificate expires, avoiding the risk of driving illegally.  

You can only get an MOT test done at approved MOT test centres. These centres will display a blue sign with white lettering showing "MOT Testing Station". You can find local approved test centres through online search engines or the government's MOT website.

You can check the MOT history of a vehicle online using the vehicle registration number (number plate). The official government website provides this free service, allowing you to see past MOT test results, advisory notices, and the expiry date of the current certificate.

Since 2018, MOT test failures are categorised into three main types:

• Dangerous: These faults pose a direct and immediate risk to road safety or have a serious impact on the environment. You must not drive the vehicle until these faults are repaired.
• Major: These faults may prejudice the safety of the vehicle, have an adverse effect on the environment, or put other road users at risk. The vehicle should not be driven until these faults are repaired.
• Minor: These faults do not have a significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact the environment. These will still result in a "fail", but the vehicle can be driven away, although you should rectify the issue as soon as possible. Advisory items are also noted, which are issues that are not currently a failure but could become one in the future.

Usually, you don't need to bring any specific documentation with you for an MOT test. The test centre will typically use your vehicle's registration number to access the necessary information. However, it's always a good idea to have your vehicle registration certificate (V5C) handy in case of any queries.