The purpose of the MOT test is to ensure that cars, other light vehicles (including some light goods vehicles), private buses and motor bicycles over a certain age are checked at least once a year to see that they comply with
Government guides based on roadworthiness and environmental standards.

When an MOT test is done it generates an electronic record. It is this record that will be checked when a vehicle is taxed to make there is a current valid MOT.
Agencies like The police have access to this information directly from the electronic record to see if car carries an MOT certificate.

The electronic test records are also available to the public online. This is very useful when buying a second hand car you can check online for free the history of MOT’s against the cars registration number.This also enables the buyer to see if the current mileage on the speedomter mariies up with these records. You can do this by going here https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

This can also be useful for owners of vehicles so they can check when your cars MOT is next due.

Paper documents such as the receipt style test certificate and the failure document are usually given to the customer on completion of an MOT test. Although these are given over it is the electronic record that actually counts.

The creation of this electronic record relates only to the condition of testable items at the time of the test and should not be regarded as:

Evidence of their condition at any other time because things wear
Proof of the general mechanical condition of the vehicle because things change
Evidence that the vehicle fully complies with all aspects of the law on vehicle construction and use

The test is a visual inspection and does not require the dismantling of parts of the vehicle although doors, boot lids and other means of access will normally need to be opened.
So even though it covers what is thought to be the major things that affect the safety of the car and vehicle and its ommissions, the car can still have faults that are not covered by the MOT.

If Your Vehicle has failed its MOT what can you do?

If your vehicle has failed its MOT it means it does not meet the standards set out by the DVSA. After failing it must be repaired before an MOT pass certificate can be issued.

A valid MOT certificate is a legal requirement in the UK. Without an MOT certificate you will not be able to renew your cars road tax. So the importance of getting your Car re mot’d is critical if you want to continue drive your car.

The MOT tester at the MOT centre will provide a VT30 ‘Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate’, giving a report on the areas in which your vehicle failed. The MOT centre will be able to provide advice in order to rectify any
issues highlighted during the MOT test. The advantage of us completing the MOT test, if you need anything rectifying for a re test we can do onsite, we can even supply tyres if that is a reason for failure.

If you think the MOT tester has been unfair with their decision, you can appeal against this. What you need to do is ask for a VT17 form as this explains how to make an appeal against the results of an MOT test.

My car has failed its MOT test, can I still drive it?

It is illegal to drive without a valid MOT certificate, so whether you can drive your car will be based on whether the date on your old MOT certificate has since passed. If the renewal date on your valid MOT test certificate is still to
come, then you can only drive your car to be repaired or to an arranged MOT appointment. This is only if it has been confirmed as roadworthy.

Except for in some exceptional circumstances, you should absolutely not drive a car that does not have an MOT. For future MOT’s it is best to plan ahead and book your MOT before your old one runs out. You can book 28 days in advance and your old date will roll over so you will not lose out on the days in between.

We offer MOT testing at our Garage in Leamington Spa, please call or email to book your Car in.
You can read more about MOT’s here https://www.spamotors.co.uk/mot/