When Is My MOT Due? Check Your Expiry Date by Registration
By RegPeek Editorial Team · Published
Your MOT expiry date is recorded against the vehicle, not against you, so you can look it up in seconds with nothing but the number plate.
The short answer
A car's MOT is due on the anniversary of its last MOT expiry date. The first MOT is due three years after the vehicle was first registered, and every 12 months after that. Enter the registration on RegPeek or the DVSA service to see the exact expiry date.
Enter a registration to see MOT status, road tax and mileage history in seconds.
Check a VehicleHow to check your MOT due date
- Take the registration exactly as it appears on the plate — spaces do not matter.
- Enter it into the RegPeek check on the homepage.
- Read the MOT status card, which shows whether the MOT is valid and the date it runs out.
- Scroll to the MOT history to see every past test, the mileage recorded and any advisories.
The same data is published by DVSA, so a check on a car you do not own is perfectly legal — it is one of the most useful things you can do before viewing a used car.
When is the first MOT due on a new car?
Most cars need their first MOT three years after the date they were first registered. Until then the vehicle will simply have no MOT history at all, which is normal and not a warning sign on a young car.
Some vehicle types, such as taxis and ambulances, need an MOT from one year old. Vehicles built or first registered more than 40 years ago can be exempt if they have not been substantially changed, although the owner is still responsible for keeping them roadworthy.
What the expiry date actually means
The MOT certificate is valid until midnight on the expiry date shown. From the following day the vehicle cannot legally be used on public roads, apart from the narrow exceptions covered in our guide on driving to a pre-booked MOT test.
There is no grace period after the expiry date. See Is there an MOT grace period? for what the rules really say.
How to avoid missing it
- Sign up for the free GOV.UK MOT reminder service, which texts or emails you a month before.
- Book the test early in the month before expiry so you keep your renewal date — see how early you can get an MOT.
- Put the date in your phone calendar as soon as the new certificate is issued.
- Check the plate before buying a used car so you know how much MOT is left.
What happens if the date has already passed
Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine, and insurers may treat the policy as invalid if the car was not roadworthy. Book a test straight away rather than waiting, and read what happens if your car fails so you know your options if it does not pass first time.
Ready to check a car? Run a free UK vehicle check by registration.
Check a VehicleSources
Related guides
- Is There an MOT Grace Period in the UK?There is no MOT grace period in the UK. Here is what the law actually allows, the fines for driving without an MOT and the only legal exceptions.
- How Early Can I Get an MOT Without Losing Days?You can test up to a month minus a day before expiry and keep your renewal date. Here is how the rule works and how to prove your current expiry date.
- How Much Does an MOT Cost in the UK? 2026 Prices and Retest FeesThe maximum MOT fees set by DVSA, what garages actually charge, when a retest is free and which extra costs are not part of the test.
- How to Read MOT History Before Buying a Used CarA practical guide to reading a used car's MOT history: mileage patterns, repeat advisories, test gaps and the red flags worth walking away from.
RegPeek is an independent vehicle information service and is not affiliated with DVLA or DVSA. This guide is general information, not legal advice.