MOT test

The MOT checks that a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards at the moment it is tested. Most cars and motorcycles need their first one when the vehicle is three years old, and annually after that.

It is tied to the other paperwork the test asks about. You generally cannot tax a vehicle without a valid MOT, and insurance can be affected by driving without one. Driving a vehicle that needs an MOT and does not have one is an offence, with a narrow exception for driving to a pre-booked test.

What it is not is a guarantee. An MOT certificate says the vehicle passed on the day; it says nothing about the day after, and it does not transfer responsibility for roadworthiness away from the driver. Tyres, lights and brakes remain your responsibility between tests.