MOT Due Date Calculator

How does the MOT due date calculator work?

GOV.UK says a car's first MOT must be done by the third anniversary of its registration. After that, a test certificate runs for a year (minus a day), but the exact expiry of your next certificate depends on when you test relative to your current one, because of the early-renewal rule.

This calculator handles both cases. Enter your registration date for a first MOT, or your current expiry date and planned test date for a renewal, and it works out the next due date and the earliest date you can test without losing any time.

3 worked examples

Example 1 — First MOT on a new car

A car first registered on 15 June 2023.

Example 2 — Renewing within the early-renewal window

Current MOT expires 20 May 2026. The owner tests on 25 April 2026.

Example 3 — MOT allowed to lapse (overdue)

Current MOT expired 20 May 2026 and the car is retested on 15 June 2026.

The early-renewal window explained

GOV.UK says you can get an MOT "up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date". Its example: if your MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest test date that keeps the same renewal date is 16 April.

Test earlier than that and the renewal date for the following year changes to one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle last passed, so you lose whatever time was left on the old certificate.

What happens if you drive without a valid MOT?

GOV.UK says you cannot drive or park your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. Driving without a valid MOT is an offence under section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Consequences include:

• Fine: GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT
• Dangerous condition: using a vehicle in a dangerous condition can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points, whether or not it has an MOT
• Insurance: check your policy wording, because driving without an MOT can affect your cover

Vehicles exempt from an MOT

• Historic vehicles. GOV.UK says you don't need an MOT if the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago and has not had substantial changes, such as replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine in a way that changes how the vehicle works. GOV.UK says you don't have to apply to stop yearly MOTs, but you must keep the vehicle roadworthy. See our Historic Vehicle Tax Exemption Checker for the tax side
• Vehicles kept off the road. A vehicle declared SORN is not used on the road, so the MOT requirement does not apply until you use it again. Check GOV.UK for the current SORN rules
• Specialist vehicles. Some categories have separate or no MOT requirements. Check GOV.UK if your vehicle is an unusual type

What this calculator can't tell you

Whether your car will pass

This calculator handles dates only. Book your test with enough buffer before your due date that a fail and any repairs don't leave you without a valid MOT.

Northern Ireland and one-year vehicles

Northern Ireland runs its own MOT system. Taxis and ambulances also need their first MOT after one year, according to GOV.UK's fees page. This calculator uses the 3-year rule for cars.

Your exact exemption status

If your vehicle might be exempt (historic or a specialist category), this calculator doesn't check. Confirm on GOV.UK's MOT exemption guidance.

Common mistakes

Confusing purchase date with registration date

If you bought a used car, its first-MOT clock started on its original registration date, not the day you bought it. Check the V5C logbook.

Testing too early and losing renewal time

Testing more than a month (minus a day) before expiry means the next certificate counts from the test date, so you lose whatever time was left.

Assuming you can drive anywhere with an expired MOT

The exceptions are a pre-arranged MOT test and travel to or from a repair. Driving to work or the shops with an expired MOT is an offence.

Ignoring the insurance angle

An expired MOT can affect your insurance cover. Check your policy wording before you drive if it has lapsed.

Before your test

• Check lights, tyres and wipers yourself first. They are common and easy-to-fix reasons for a fail
• Book inside the early-renewal window so you never lose renewal time
• Use the free DVSA MOT history checker at gov.uk/check-mot-history to see your car's expiry date and past results
• Budget for the fee. The maximum fee for a car is £54.85, according to GOV.UK, though many garages charge less
• Leave buffer time before a big trip in case of a fail and re-test

How we calculate

First MOT due date = registration date + 3 years (the third anniversary).

Earliest test that keeps your date = current expiry − 1 month + 1 day.

If the test is inside the window and no later than the expiry date: new expiry = current expiry + 1 year.

If the test is before the window opens, or after expiry: new expiry = test date + 1 year − 1 day.

Frequently asked questions

Related tools and guides