MotR
MOT Due Dates · Explained

How MOT Due Dates Work

Understand how MOT due dates are calculated, how early renewal preserves your anniversary date and when a new vehicle needs its first MOT.

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The short answer

How MOT Due Dates Work

To find out when your MOT is due, enter your registration on MotR's free MOT Checker — the exact expiry date is shown instantly using official DVLA data. MOTs run for 12 months. New cars are exempt for the first 3 years. Testing within one month of expiry preserves your anniversary date. DVLA does not send automatic reminders — set one now to avoid an accidental lapse.

Need the exact date?

Need the exact date?

Enter the registration in MotR's MOT due date checker to see the current expiry date and days remaining.

Anniversary system

How the MOT Anniversary System Works

Understanding when your MOT certificate expires depends on when you last tested and whether you renewed early or after expiry.

ScenarioWhen new cert expires
Tested within 1 month before current expiry12 months from the day after current expiry date — anniversary preserved
Tested more than 1 month before current expiry12 months from the test date
Tested after current expiry (expired MOT)12 months from the test date
Brand new car (first MOT)12 months from the 3rd anniversary of first registration
Reminders

Setting A Free MOT Reminder

DVLA does not automatically notify you when your MOT is due. Unlike road tax — where DVLA sends reminders — the MOT obligation is entirely the keeper's responsibility to monitor. MotR's free reminder service fills this gap:

Free email reminder 4 weeks and 1 week before MOT expiry
Push notifications on iOS and Android (MotR app)
Automatic — no need to re-set each year
Based on official DVLA data — not a guess
Free tool

Set Free MOT Reminder

Get notified before your MOT expires. Completely free.

Check Your MOT Due Date + Set a Reminder

Free instant check. Free reminder. Never let your MOT expire unnoticed.

Check MOT Due Date →
Questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out when my MOT is due?
Use the MOT due date checker to view the current date from official DVSA records — enter the registration and the exact expiry date and days remaining are shown instantly.
When does a new car first need an MOT?
New cars require their first MOT on the third anniversary of their first registration date. For example, a car first registered on 10 April 2022 needs its first MOT by 10 April 2025. After that, an MOT is required annually.
Can I get an MOT early without losing time?
Yes — if you test within one calendar month of your current MOT expiry, the new certificate runs from the day after your old expiry date. You keep your anniversary date. Testing more than a month early gives you a fresh 12-month certificate from the test date.
What happens if I forget when my MOT is due?
DVLA does not send automatic reminders. MotR offers free MOT reminder emails and push notifications — set one up once and you'll be notified before your next expiry. Without a reminder, the responsibility to check and renew falls entirely with the keeper.
Does my MOT date change each year?
Assuming you renew within the one-month early window, your MOT anniversary date stays the same each year. If you renew late (after expiry) or early outside the one-month window, the date shifts accordingly.
What if the DVLA shows a different MOT date than my certificate?
The DVLA digital record is authoritative. If there is a discrepancy, contact the test station that carried out the test — they may need to update the record. Your physical certificate alone is not definitive if it does not match the database.
Does the MOT run from the test date or the old expiry date?
If you test within one calendar month before expiry: the new certificate runs from the day after your old expiry date. If you test more than one month before expiry, or after expiry: the certificate runs exactly 12 months from the test date.
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MOT anniversary rules reflect DVSA guidance. MotR is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or GOV.UK. Verify your exact expiry date through official DVSA records. Last reviewed 13 June 2026.

Keep reading

MOT Rules Guide UK

The complete hub for all UK MOT rules — expiry, exemptions, retests, grace periods, and more.

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