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Lost MOT Certificate · Replacement Guide

Lost MOT Certificate: What To Do

Losing your MOT certificate does not mean you need a new test. MOT records are held digitally by DVSA and are accessible to anyone with the registration number. Here is what to do and how to get a replacement.

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The short answer

Lost MOT Certificate: What To Do

Losing your MOT certificate does not affect your legal driving status. The physical certificate is a paper record — the actual test result is stored digitally by DVSA and is accessible online. To get a replacement paper certificate, contact the test station that carried out the test. For a digital record, use MotR or the DVSA's vehicle enquiry service with your registration number.

Validity

Does A Lost MOT Certificate Affect Validity?

No. The paper certificate is a printed record of a test that has already been entered into the DVSA national database. If the test was passed and the 12-month period is still in force, the MOT is valid — regardless of whether you can locate the paper document. Police and DVSA enforcement systems check the digital database, not the physical certificate.

In practice

When police check your MOT via ANPR or at a roadside stop, they query the DVSA database — not your glove compartment. The paper certificate is mainly needed for private sale situations where a buyer requests physical proof, or if a solicitor or insurer asks for it.
Replacement

How To Get A Replacement MOT Certificate

01

Find the test station

Locate the garage or test centre where the last MOT was carried out. You will need their contact details — check old invoices, service history, or your MOT history via DVSA.

02

Contact them directly

Call or visit the test station. They can pull the test record from the DVSA system using your registration number and the date of the test.

03

Request a reprint

Ask them to reprint the certificate from the DVSA record. They may charge a small admin fee — typically £5–£10. There is no standard fee set by DVSA.

04

Use digital records as backup

If the test station has closed or is uncontactable, the DVSA digital record is accessible online and is an accepted form of proof for most practical purposes.

Digital records

Checking MOT Status Digitally

The DVSA maintains a digital record of every MOT test conducted in the UK since 2005. This includes the test result, date, mileage reading, and any advisory or failure items. You can access this information instantly using just the vehicle's registration number.

Check MOT expiry date instantly — no paper required
View all historic test results since 2005
See mileage readings at every test
Identify advisories and failure items from previous tests
Share the digital record URL with buyers as proof
Free tool

Check MOT History Free

Official DVSA data — every test since 2005.

Access Full MOT History Digitally

Every test, every advisory, every mileage reading — free from DVSA data.

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Questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I've lost my MOT certificate?
You do not necessarily need the physical certificate to drive legally. The MOT test record is held digitally by DVSA. You can verify the vehicle's MOT status online at any time using the registration number. The physical certificate is mainly required when selling a vehicle or if a buyer requests proof. To obtain a duplicate, contact the test station that carried out the test.
Can I request a replacement MOT certificate?
Yes. Contact the test station that originally issued the certificate. They have access to the test record via the DVSA system and can reprint a certificate. There may be a small administrative fee. Alternatively, you can ask them to look up the test by date and registration.
Does DVLA keep MOT records?
MOT records are held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), not DVLA. DVSA maintains the digital record of all MOT tests since 2005. These records are accessible online via the DVSA's vehicle enquiry service, and MotR uses this data to provide free MOT history checks.
Is a lost MOT certificate a problem when selling a car?
It can be. Many buyers will want to see the physical certificate as reassurance. However, the DVSA digital record is authoritative — any buyer can independently verify the vehicle's MOT status and history online. If you are selling, directing the buyer to check the online record is a reasonable alternative. Some buyers may still prefer to see the physical document.
Does losing an MOT certificate mean I need a new test?
No. Losing the paper certificate does not affect the validity of the test result. If the vehicle passed and the 12-month period has not elapsed, it still has a valid MOT. The certificate is a record of the test; the test result itself is stored digitally by DVSA.
How do I check MOT history for a vehicle?
Use MotR's free MOT History Checker or the DVSA vehicle enquiry service. Enter the vehicle's registration number to view all test results from 2005 onwards, including pass/fail status, mileage readings, and any advisory or failure items noted at each test.
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MOT records since 2005 are held digitally by DVSA. MotR is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or GOV.UK. Replacement certificate fees are set by individual test stations, not DVSA. Last reviewed 13 June 2026.

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