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Diagnostics & EmissionsWhen Is My MOT Due?
10 January 2026 · 4 min read
The three-year rule — when does a car first need an MOT?
A brand new car is exempt from MOT testing for its first three years on the road. After that, an annual MOT is required to confirm the vehicle meets current DVSA road safety and emissions standards. So a car first registered in January 2023 would need its first MOT by January 2026.
There are no exemptions for low mileage or limited use. If the car is driven on public roads, the MOT is required. The only permanent exception applies to vehicles manufactured before 1960, which are now exempt from testing.
How to check your MOT due date
The easiest way to check your MOT expiry is the free MOT checker on the GOV.UK website. Enter your registration and it returns the current expiry date, the last test result, and any advisories recorded. The service is free and updates in real time.
You can also use the MOT checker on the Urban Autohaus website, where you can enter your registration and book in directly from the results page. The DVLA V5C logbook shows registration date, but the online checker is more reliable for current MOT status.
What happens if your MOT expires?
Driving with an expired MOT is illegal and can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £1,000. Your car insurance may also be invalidated if you are involved in an accident while the MOT is not current — which could leave you personally liable for any costs arising from the incident.
The safest approach is to book your MOT a few weeks before the expiry date so you have time to address any failures without a lapse in cover. If your car has been off the road and you need to drive it to a test, check current DVLA guidance on temporary exemptions before doing so.
Book your MOT at Urban Autohaus, West Bromwich
Urban Autohaus is a DVSA-approved MOT testing station in West Bromwich, site number S004609. We carry out Class 4 MOTs for cars and Class 7 MOTs for vans and light commercial vehicles. If your vehicle fails, we offer a free retest within 10 working days at no extra charge.
Call us on 07498 392333 or book online. We are based at Cornwallis Road, West Bromwich, B70 9BY and serve drivers from Sandwell, Birmingham, Dudley, Tipton, Oldbury, and the wider Black Country.