The need for an MOT certificate
It's generally an offence to use a vehicle of test age that doesn’t have a current test certificate on a public road except when:
- taking it to a test centre for a test booked in advance
- bringing it away from a test centre after it has failed the test, to a place of repair
- taking it to or bringing it away from a place where, by previous arrangement, repairs are to be made or have been made to fix the faults that caused the vehicle to fail its test
Even in the above circumstances you may still be prosecuted for driving an unroadworthy vehicle if it doesn’t comply with various regulations affecting its construction and use. The insurance may also not be valid.
New-style vehicle test certificate
There is no longer a requirement to display a vehicle test certificate on the windscreen of your vehicle.
A new-style A4 size, plain paper, vehicle test certificate will be issued following the inspection of your vehicle.
This change took effect on 6 April 2015 and applies to all vehicle categories, including cars, motorcycles, goods vehicles or buses.
Motorists are encouraged to remove all expired discs from the vehicle windscreen.
An example of the new vehicle test certificate is available on the link below:
What does this mean for me?
To drive or keep a vehicle on the road you still need to have a valid vehicle test certificate if your vehicle requires one and you will still get a renewal reminder when your annual test is due.
If you have any remaining months left on your current paper disc, you can either remove the disc from your vehicle or display the disc until it expires.
When buying a vehicle
When you buy a vehicle, make sure the previous keeper passes on the new-style vehicle test certificate, otherwise you will need to apply for a duplicate at the cost of £10.00.
A test certificate relates only to the condition of testable items at the time of the test and should not be regarded as:
- evidence of its condition at any other time
- evidence of the general mechanical condition of the vehicle
- evidence that the vehicle fully complies with all aspects of the law on vehicle construction and use
Checking the authenticity of an MOT certificate
If you have reason to believe the certificate you have been issued isn’t genuine, please contact the DVA Enquiries on 0300 200 7861 or check online at the link below:
Replacing lost or damaged MOT certificates
If you have lost or damaged your MOT certificate, you can apply at any DVA Test Centre for a duplicate certificate by completing section 5 of the Application for a vehicle test certificate VT3 (MOT) form. Alternatively you can contact the telephone booking line at 0345 247 2471.
The fee for a duplicate certificate for a car is £10.00.