MOT (test)
Encyclopedia
The Ministry of Transport test (usually abbreviated to MOT test) is an annual test
of automobile safety
, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions
required for most vehicles over three years old used on public roads in the United Kingdom.
The name derives from the Ministry of Transport, a defunct Government department
which was one of several ancestors of the current Department for Transport
, but is still officially used. The MOT test certificates are currently issued in Great Britain under the auspices of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
(VOSA), an agency
within the Department for Transport. Certificates in Northern Ireland are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). The test and the pass certificate are often referred to simply as the "MOT".
Many local car repair garages
throughout Great Britain are authorised to perform testing and to issue certificates. In Northern Ireland
tests are performed exclusively at the DVA's own test centres.
it applies to most road vehicles over three years old, including motorcycle
s. ambulance
s, and taxi
s. Passenger vehicles with nine or more seats which are over one year old must be tested; some "limited use" and agricultural vehicles are exempt from the test.
The list of items tested has been continually expanded over the years. Recently a sophisticated exhaust gas
es emissions test
has been introduced for vehicles with internal combustion engine
s; the required standard varies depending on the age and type of the engine. Some motorcycles and older vehicles are only required to pass a visual emissions check.
MOT comes from the no longer existent Ministry Of Transport, but the name continues to apply to the inspection itself. The actual designation for the pass certificate is VT20, and failure is the VT30, with any advisories being the VT32. Every "MOT" Test will provide an emissions report.
It is illegal to drive a non-exempt vehicle that requires a test on public roads without a current MOT, except when driving to or from (subject to insurance terms and conditions) a booked MOT Test. Possession of an up-to-date VT20 test certificate is a pre-requisite for obtaining a tax disc
, and advertisements for used cars frequently say how many months are left to run on the current MOT (i.e., VT20 certificate; although the VT20 points out that it does not, in any way, guarantee road-worthiness at the time of sale). A vehicle could suffer major damage after an MOT has been carried out, but the certificate would still be valid, and obtaining a new one is not required by law (some insurance
companies may require a new test, but this is their practice, not law). However, driving a vehicle which is in a dangerous condition on a public road is always illegal, irrespective of its test status.
Vehicles used exclusively on certain islands or other areas mainly surrounded by water, being an island or area from which motor vehicles, unless constructed for special purposes can at no time be conveniently driven to a road in any other part of the United Kingdom by reason of the absence of any bridge, tunnel, ford or other way suitable for the passage of such motor vehicle are exempt from the requirement for a VT20 Certificate to obtain a tax disc.
The Official UK MOT inspection manuals are available online.
The fee for testing and retesting is at the discretion of the proprietor of the test facility, subject to legal maximum prices. The number of re-tests and the time period between test and re-test is also at the proprietor's discretion.
MOT testing centres are regulated and licensed by the Department and Transport and VOSA for the purpose, and the individual testers carrying out the inspections also have to be trained and certified. The decision to pass or fail comes down to the discretion of the tester following the Guidelines issued by the VOSA. Inevitably, some of these decisions can be subjective in nature (e.g. whether the extent of corrosion on a body panel renders the vehicle unsafe or not).
The MOT test covers lighting *, steering, suspension, emissions and road safety in passenger transport. The individual tests include the body and vehicle structure, windscreen, wipers and washers, doors, seatbelts, seats, mirrors, horn, brakes, steering, suspension, exhaust system, exhaust CO2
emissions, fuel system, tyres, wheels, lights, bonnet, boot and tailgate, towbar, and registration plates. An abridged summary of the individual inspections can be found here: The full details must by law be provided on request by all garages licensed to perform MOT tests, and are currently published in VOSA's leaflet The MOT Test and You. An MOT pass certificate indicates that at the time of the test the vehicle met or exceeded the minimum safety standards determined by the VOSA guidelines.
Areas not tested include the clutch
, gear box, and engine mountings, as the failure of these components is not a safety risk. Maintenance that is necessary for the reliable and efficient operation of the vehicle but not its safety forms part of a service
inspection that is recommended by manufacturers, but is not a legal requirement for operating the vehicle on the public highway.
The MOT does not determine whether or not after market
features fitted are legal for use on the public highway. Specific testing on these parts is required at designated testers, because a vehicle that passes an MOT test could still have major mechanical defects from the after market products fitted that make it unsafe on the road. For example, a spear fitted to the bonnet of a car will not cause it to fail an MOT (body modification not corroded or damaged), but could still be lethal.
Items such as the windscreen, wipers and exhaust systems are tested for condition and operation. Windscreen wipers will fail the test if they do not adequately clear the windscreen when used in conjunction with the washers. The exhaust system, in addition to checks on its condition and security, is tested to ascertain whether it is obviously louder than another vehicle of the same make and model with a standard exhaust system fitted. Dismantling of any part of the vehicle during the MOT test is strictly against test regulations, making the assessment of corrosion or worn components in certain areas on certain car models very difficult to determine accurately. As the MOT is only an inspection for road-worthiness at the time of test, the inspection of most accessories is not included. One exception is tow bars: their condition and their attachment to the vehicle is now included in the MOT.
) would not be discovered as part of the MOT inspection.
Vehicle inspection
Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on transfer of...
of automobile safety
Automobile safety
Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions
Exhaust gas
Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline/petrol, diesel fuel, fuel oil or coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack or propelling nozzle.It often disperses...
required for most vehicles over three years old used on public roads in the United Kingdom.
The name derives from the Ministry of Transport, a defunct Government department
Ministry (government department)
A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...
which was one of several ancestors of the current Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
, but is still officially used. The MOT test certificates are currently issued in Great Britain under the auspices of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency is a non-departmental public body granted Trading Fund status in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom Government.-History:...
(VOSA), an agency
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
within the Department for Transport. Certificates in Northern Ireland are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). The test and the pass certificate are often referred to simply as the "MOT".
Many local car repair garages
Automobile repair shop
An automobile repair shop is a place where automobiles are repaired by auto mechanics and electricians.- Types :The automotive garage can be divided in so many category....
throughout Great Britain are authorised to perform testing and to issue certificates. In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
tests are performed exclusively at the DVA's own test centres.
History
When originally instituted in 1960 by the then Ministry of Transport, the test applied to vehicles over ten years old. Since April 1967it applies to most road vehicles over three years old, including motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s. ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
s, and taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
s. Passenger vehicles with nine or more seats which are over one year old must be tested; some "limited use" and agricultural vehicles are exempt from the test.
The list of items tested has been continually expanded over the years. Recently a sophisticated exhaust gas
Exhaust gas
Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline/petrol, diesel fuel, fuel oil or coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack or propelling nozzle.It often disperses...
es emissions test
Emission standard
Emission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power...
has been introduced for vehicles with internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
s; the required standard varies depending on the age and type of the engine. Some motorcycles and older vehicles are only required to pass a visual emissions check.
Test classification
The test classes are:- Class I — MopedMopedMopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
s and motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s up to 200 cc - Class II — Motorcycles 201 cc and over
- Class III — TricycleTricycleA tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle. While tricycles are often associated with the small three-wheeled vehicles used by pre-school-age children, they are also used by adults for a variety of purposes. In the United States and Canada, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily by older persons for...
s and three wheeled cars - Class IV — Cars, motor-caravans, goods vehicles up to and including 3,000 kgKilogramThe kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
gross weight, MinibusMinibusA minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
es (with no more than 12 passenger seats) - Class V — Private busBusA bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es (with more than twelve passenger seats, not used for hire or reward work) - PSV test (Class VI) — Public service vehicles used for hire or reward with more than eight passenger seats (test conducted by VOSA/DVA staff, usually at their own stations).
- Class VII — Goods vehicles (between 3,000 kg and up to including 3,500 kg in gross weight)
- HGV test — Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVW and trailers over 1,020 kg unladen weight or 3,500 kg GVW if fitted with over-run brakes (test conducted by VOSA/DVA staff usually at their own stations, or at VOSA approved designated premises).
Rules and regulations for the United Kingdom
All test stations are required to display a "VT9A Fees and Appeals" poster on their premises which must be available to the public. It gives information on all test types and information on what to do if a vehicle fails its MOT test.MOT comes from the no longer existent Ministry Of Transport, but the name continues to apply to the inspection itself. The actual designation for the pass certificate is VT20, and failure is the VT30, with any advisories being the VT32. Every "MOT" Test will provide an emissions report.
It is illegal to drive a non-exempt vehicle that requires a test on public roads without a current MOT, except when driving to or from (subject to insurance terms and conditions) a booked MOT Test. Possession of an up-to-date VT20 test certificate is a pre-requisite for obtaining a tax disc
Vehicle excise duty
Vehicle Excise Duty is a vehicle road use tax levied as an excise duty which must be paid for most types of vehicle which are to be used on the public roads in the United Kingdom...
, and advertisements for used cars frequently say how many months are left to run on the current MOT (i.e., VT20 certificate; although the VT20 points out that it does not, in any way, guarantee road-worthiness at the time of sale). A vehicle could suffer major damage after an MOT has been carried out, but the certificate would still be valid, and obtaining a new one is not required by law (some insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
companies may require a new test, but this is their practice, not law). However, driving a vehicle which is in a dangerous condition on a public road is always illegal, irrespective of its test status.
Vehicles used exclusively on certain islands or other areas mainly surrounded by water, being an island or area from which motor vehicles, unless constructed for special purposes can at no time be conveniently driven to a road in any other part of the United Kingdom by reason of the absence of any bridge, tunnel, ford or other way suitable for the passage of such motor vehicle are exempt from the requirement for a VT20 Certificate to obtain a tax disc.
The Official UK MOT inspection manuals are available online.
Re-tests
When a vehicle fails the MOT test it can be re-tested at the same station free of charge, or at a reduced price, up to the end of the next day for minor items (see the poster displayed at the test station) provided it is returned within a specific time period. If the vehicle remains at the test station for repair after failure then it can have a free re-test up to 10 working days (i.e., two calendar weeks or more) after the original. If it is removed from the premises for repair and then returned before the end of 10 working days it can have a test at half the original fee paid. After the 10-day period a full MOT fee is charged again and a new MOT carried out. The next day free re-test for certain failure items is still in place, although some items which can be adjusted in the test if they are accessible and possible to do so with ease, such as headlamp aim, have been removed. A free re-test may be offered by the station at any point to encourage the owner of the vehicle to pay the testing garage to carry out work to make it roadworthy. Test stations and the MOT website provide full and up-to-date information regarding what is a free re-test and what is not.The fee for testing and retesting is at the discretion of the proprietor of the test facility, subject to legal maximum prices. The number of re-tests and the time period between test and re-test is also at the proprietor's discretion.
Overview of the test
Any vehicle can be MOT tested, even if it is unregistered at the time (e.g. kit cars or imported vehicles). Imported vehicles that are MOT tested in the United Kingdom must meet British standards, even if the importation is temporary. An example of non-compliance is the combining of stop lamps (brake lights) and indicators (signal lights) commonly found on American vehicles, which are not legal for use in the UK.MOT testing centres are regulated and licensed by the Department and Transport and VOSA for the purpose, and the individual testers carrying out the inspections also have to be trained and certified. The decision to pass or fail comes down to the discretion of the tester following the Guidelines issued by the VOSA. Inevitably, some of these decisions can be subjective in nature (e.g. whether the extent of corrosion on a body panel renders the vehicle unsafe or not).
The MOT test covers lighting *, steering, suspension, emissions and road safety in passenger transport. The individual tests include the body and vehicle structure, windscreen, wipers and washers, doors, seatbelts, seats, mirrors, horn, brakes, steering, suspension, exhaust system, exhaust CO2
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions, fuel system, tyres, wheels, lights, bonnet, boot and tailgate, towbar, and registration plates. An abridged summary of the individual inspections can be found here: The full details must by law be provided on request by all garages licensed to perform MOT tests, and are currently published in VOSA's leaflet The MOT Test and You. An MOT pass certificate indicates that at the time of the test the vehicle met or exceeded the minimum safety standards determined by the VOSA guidelines.
Areas not tested include the clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, gear box, and engine mountings, as the failure of these components is not a safety risk. Maintenance that is necessary for the reliable and efficient operation of the vehicle but not its safety forms part of a service
Service (motor vehicle)
A motor vehicle service is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has travelled a certain distance...
inspection that is recommended by manufacturers, but is not a legal requirement for operating the vehicle on the public highway.
The MOT does not determine whether or not after market
Aftermarket (automotive)
The automotive aftermarket is the secondary market of the automotive industry, concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles, after the sale of the...
features fitted are legal for use on the public highway. Specific testing on these parts is required at designated testers, because a vehicle that passes an MOT test could still have major mechanical defects from the after market products fitted that make it unsafe on the road. For example, a spear fitted to the bonnet of a car will not cause it to fail an MOT (body modification not corroded or damaged), but could still be lethal.
Items such as the windscreen, wipers and exhaust systems are tested for condition and operation. Windscreen wipers will fail the test if they do not adequately clear the windscreen when used in conjunction with the washers. The exhaust system, in addition to checks on its condition and security, is tested to ascertain whether it is obviously louder than another vehicle of the same make and model with a standard exhaust system fitted. Dismantling of any part of the vehicle during the MOT test is strictly against test regulations, making the assessment of corrosion or worn components in certain areas on certain car models very difficult to determine accurately. As the MOT is only an inspection for road-worthiness at the time of test, the inspection of most accessories is not included. One exception is tow bars: their condition and their attachment to the vehicle is now included in the MOT.
- (lighting) Lighting is not tested for a 'daytime use only' MOT test.
- A 'daytime use only' MOT test is a test on a vehicle which has no front and rear position lights fitted or has had those lights removed, painted, masked or disconnected such that those lights cannot be readily unmasked or reconnected
Appeals against MOT inspections
If a motorist who has recently had a vehicle MOT tested disagrees with the outcome of the inspection, they are entitled to an appeal against the decision. The appeal must be lodged with the VOSA/DVA within twenty-eight days of the original test date if the item(s) in question are mechanical in nature. Three months are allowed for corrosion issues, except for corrosion of brake discs, brake lines or the exhaust system. Mileage, or the lack thereof, incurred after the inspection has no relevance to the appeal even if the vehicle has not been used for several months after the test. If the items in question are repaired, replaced or removed from the vehicle, the right of the owner to appeal becomes null and void. Failure due to items that are easily replaced, such as tyres or windscreen wiper blades, may not be appealed against, as it cannot be adequately determined if they were the ones fitted at the time of inspection. To appeal against an MOT pass is free of charge however, to appeal against a failure will incur a fee whose value would amount to the normal maximum price of an MOT for that vehicle. This fee will then be refunded if the appellate inspection finds in favor of the motorist lodging the appeal. If the appellate inspection finds the vehicle was incorrectly diagnosed, the VOSA/DVA takes appropriate action against the station involved. This can range from penalty points being issued for minor infringements, to the station's MOT license being rescinded for more major violations. The VOSA/DVA has only the power to discipline the station involved and cannot pursue compensation of any kind for the complainant; that is the responsibility of Trading Standards. An MOT station cannot be held responsible for defects that occur to the vehicle several months after the test was conducted. The appeal process and how to lodge one is outlined on the reverse of the VT20 pass certificate and the VT30 failure notice.Mileage
It is a common misconception that the MOT inspection provides an irrefutable record of a vehicle's mileage. However, this is not necessarily correct : although the mileage is recorded during the test, no part of the inspection requires the test station to verify that this is indeed the actual mileage. It is merely recorded, and any tampering of an odometer (or clockingOdometer fraud
Odometer fraud, also referred to as "busting miles" or "clocking" is the illegal practice of rolling back odometers to make it appear that vehicles have lower mileage than they actually do...
) would not be discovered as part of the MOT inspection.
Fees
As of 6 April 2010, these are the maximum fees that can be charged. They are not subject to VAT.Changes
From 2012 the MOT test will be radically overhauled with many items not previously included in the test now becoming standard. It will also see the introduction of plain paper certificates as VOSA moves away from the standard VT20 to a more electronic based method of test verification| Class | Vehicle Type | Age first test required (years) | Price (06/04/2010 onwards) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycles (up to 200cc) | 3 | £29.65 |
| 2 | Motorcycles (over 200cc) | 3 | £29.65 |
| 1 & 2 | Motorcycles with side car (any engine size) | 3 | £37.80 |
| 3 | Three wheeled vehicles | 3 | £37.80 |
| 4 | Cars & light vans | 3 | £54.85 |
| 4 | Ambulances and taxis | 1 | £54.85 |
| 4 | Private Passenger Vehicles & Ambulances (9-12 Passenger Seats) | 1 | £57.30 |
| 4a | Includes seat belt installation check | N/A | £64.00 |
| 5 | Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (13-16 passenger seats) | 1 | £59.55 |
| 5 | Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (More than 16 passenger seats) | 1 | £80.65 |
| 5a | Includes seat belt installation check (13-16 passenger seats) | N/A | £80.50 |
| 5a | Includes seat belt installation check (More than 16 passenger seats) | N/A | £124.50 |
| 7 | Goods vehicles (over 3,000 kg up to 3,500 kg DGW) | 3 | £58.60 |
| n/a | Partial retest fee | Half test fee | |
| n/a | Maximum fee for duplicate test certificate (or half the full test fee if less) | £10.00 |
See also
- Car checkCar check-United Kingdom:The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency , better known as the DVLA, are an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport . The Agency is accountable to the Secretary of State and Ministers and, through them, to Parliament and the public, for efficient and effective management of...
- Vehicle inspectionVehicle inspectionVehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on transfer of...
- National Car TestNational Car TestThe National Car Test is a roadworthiness test, which all cars in Ireland must undergo. It was introduced in 2000 The test must first be taken when the car is between 3½ and 4 years old and then once every two years after that...
(Republic of Ireland) - Warrant of Fitness (New Zealand)
- ShakenMotor-vehicle inspection (Japan), a contraction of , is the name of the vehicle inspection program in Japan for motor vehicles over 250 cc in engine displacement.- Reason for existence :...
(Japan)