Driving without an MOT – what’s the risk?

Driving without an MOT – what’s the risk?
If you’re unsure about using your car after failing an MOT test, or driving without a valid certificate, read on.

Driving with no MOT

Whether it’s driving with an expired certificate, using your car after a failed test, or buying a new car, there are a few MOT grey areas.

To make sure you know where you stand, here are some of the common scenarios you might find yourself in.

1. Your car failed an MOT test

It’s possible that your car fails a new MOT test while a current certificate is still valid. If this happens and no ‘dangerous’ problems are found, you can take your vehicle away. 

However, your car must meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times.

You can appeal against a fail decision if you wish.

2. You missed an MOT test

If you have missed your test and your certificate has expired, you can be prosecuted for driving without an MOT.

You can keep on track with your car's maintenance by getting a service or MOT plan to spread the cost over two years.

3. Your vehicle is recalled

To find out if a fault leading to a vehicle recall could invalidate your MOT, it’s best to ask your manufacturer. 

Their decision won’t have been made lightly, so you can assume the problem is serious and will probably impact the roadworthiness of your car.

4. You’ve just bought a car

New cars don’t need an MOT certificate until their third anniversary of registration. 

If you’re buying a second-hand car, you should check it’s MOT status and arrange a test, either at the point of sale or one that you can drive to immediately.

Cars travelling to a prearranged test can be driven without a valid MOT certificate. The same applies when driving to or from a garage for repairs.

MOT due?

Find a trusted local garage with the RAC stamp of approval.

MOT due?
MOT due?

Driving your car after failing an MOT

You can only drive a car that’s failed an MOT test if your current certificate is still valid and no serious problems were found. 

If your car fails an MOT with ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ problems, you might not be allowed to drive it until these have been fixed. You’ll be given a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ which is recorded in the MOT database. 

If you drive a vehicle deemed ‘dangerous’ you can be fined up to £2,500, as well as receive a driving ban and 3 penalty points.

Vehicle damage and MOTs

Throughout a routine MOT test your car is inspected for damage to the exhaust system, engine and specific areas of the vehicle’s structure and body. In short, your car could fail an MOT as a result of damage. 

After an accident, your insurance provider will assess any damage to your vehicle. If your car is categorised A (scrap only) or B (break for parts) your car is no longer fit for the road and your MOT certificate becomes invalid.

It’s unclear whether an S (structurally damaged but repairable) or N (Not structurally damaged, repairable) car’s MOT would still be valid. It’s best to ask your insurer on a case-by-case basis.

Find out more about insurance write-off categories and what they mean.

You can check the MOT history of a vehicle for previous damage by entering its number plate on the Government’s online tool.

Need a quick repair before your MOT test? Try a mobile mechanic that will come out to your home or work and do the fix at a place that suits you.

Vehicle modifications and MOTs

The DVLA use a point system to decide if modifications to your car mean your vehicle needs a new registration number. There’s no need to apply for a new MOT if your car keeps the registration, but a new number plate will need a new certificate to match.

Penalty for driving without an MOT

driving-without-mot-penalty

You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a car without a valid MOT.

If you drive a vehicle deemed ‘dangerous’ by an MOT test, you can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and receive 3 penalty points.

How can I be caught for driving without an MOT?

After an MOT test, your garage will update passes and fails to the DVSA’s database. This information can be accessed by anybody with your number plate and could lead to prosecution.

Systems on board police cars and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras can also flag cars without a valid certificate.

Can I report someone with no MOT?

You can contact your local police about a vehicle being used on a road without an MOT.

You’ll need the vehicle’s:

  • number plate
  • make and model
  • colour
  • location

The police will investigate and could charge the driver with a £1000 fine.

How can I avoid missing my test?

If you wish to receive free text message or email reminders a month before your MOT is due for renewal, you can subscribe to the Department for Transport’s free service.

You’ll need:

  • the vehicle’s number plate
  • a mobile phone number or email address

You can also check the MOT status of a vehicle at any time by entering its number plate on the Government’s online tool.

You can keep on track with your car's maintenance by getting a service or MOT plan to spread the cost over two years.

Give yourself the best chance of passing by following our MOT checklist.

 


If your MOT is due or if you would like to book your vehicle in for a full car service, you can book online with your local RAC Approved Garage or a RAC Mobile Mechanic today. Benefit from the RAC Service and MOT Plan with affordable monthly payments to plan ahead for your MOT and regular annual services. 

RAC Service and MOT Plan

RAC Service and MOT Plan

From £19 a month†.
Spread car maintenance costs with our affordable monthly plan.
Beat inflation – lock in today’s prices for two years!

†Minimum price for RAC members. Non-member prices start at £21.11.

RAC Service and MOT Plan