How early can you MOT a car?

AN MOT is an annual inspection you need to keep your car on the road, and it’s illegal to drive without one.

But how early can you get yours, and how much does it cost? Here’s all you need to know.

How early can you MOT a car?

Any car owner will tell you, owning a vehicle is a big commitment, and it requires quite of a lot of organisation to ensure your vehicle is insured and road-ready.

Making sure you have an up-to-date MOT is hugely important, and it’s essential you complete it when required.

You’re permitted to get an MOT up to a month before it runs out – minus a day – and keep your renewal date the same.

It is possible to get it earlier, but the renewal date for the following year will change to one year (minus a day) from the date the MOT was last passed.

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How often do you have to MOT your car?

An MOT will last for a year.

If you want to check when yours runs out, the date will be printed on your current MOT pass certificate.

There are differences in terms of when vehicles need their first MOTs and how much the inspection costs.

You cannot drive or park your car on the road if the MOT has expired.

Those caught doing this will be prosecuted.

How much does an MOT cost?

There is a cap on what test stations can charge for carrying out an MOT, though price varies depending on the type of vehicle.

The maximum for a car is £54.85, while the most you’ll pay for a standard motorcycle is £29.65.

You won’t have to pay VAT on this payment.

It’s a very modest sum compared to the fine you can receive for driving without a valid MOT.

Motorists can be slapped with a fine of up to £1,000 for driving without one, so make sure you keep track when it needs to be renewed by to avoid a hefty penalty.

Here’s a full breakdown of the costs and requirements for different types of vehicle:

• Motorcycle (engine size up to 200cc)
  • Vehicle class: 1
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £29.65
• Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size up to 200cc)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £37.80
• Motorcycle (engine size over 200cc)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £29.65
• Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size over 200cc)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £37.80
• 3-wheeled vehicles (up to 450kg unladen weight)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £37.80
• 3-wheeled vehicles (over 450kg unladen weight)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Cars (up to 8 passenger seats)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Motor caravans
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Quads (max unladen weight 400kg – for goods vehicles 550kg and max net power of 15kw)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Dual purpose vehicles
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Private hire and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Ambulances and taxis
  • Age first MOT needed: 1
  • Max MOT fee: £54.85
• Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (9 to 12 passenger seats)
  • Age first MOT needed: 1
  • Max MOT fee: £57.30
• Goods vehicles (up to 3,000kg design gross weight)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £54.84
• Class 4 vehicles (9 to 12 passenger seats) with a seat belt installation check
  • Age first MOT needed: n/a
  • Max MOT fee: £64.00
• Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (13 to 16 passenger seats)
  • Age first MOT needed: 1
  • Max MOT fee: £59.55
• Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (more than 16 passenger seats)
  • Age first MOT needed: 1
  • Max MOT fee: £80.65
• Playbuses
  • Age first MOT needed: 1
  • Max MOT fee: £80.65
• Class 5 vehicles (13 to 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check
  • Age first MOT needed: n/a
  • Max MOT fee: £80.50
• Class 5 vehicles (more than 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check
  • Age first MOT needed: n/a
  • Max MOT fee: £124.50
• Goods vehicles (over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg design gross weight)
  • Age first MOT needed: 3
  • Max MOT fee: £58.60