If you have a vehicle over 40 years old, you may not need an MOT (if it has not been substantially changed). After the 40th anniversary of when the vehicle was registered/manufactured, you will no longer need an MOT. Yet, whenever you tax the vehicle you must declare that it meets the criteria for not needing an MOT.
If you have a diesel, or are thinking of purchasing a used diesel car, there are some things to watch out for. Ensure that your diesel car has a DPF, and that there is no orange warning light on the dashboard as this indicates the DPF is blocked. A new DPF can be costly, so it is important to watch out for this when purchasing a diesel car. Any replacement or repairs to the DPF must be declared to the MOT tester.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without an up-to-date MOT certificate. In fact, the DVLA claim that over a quarter of cars are overdue for an MOT test in the UK, and three-quarters of these motorists had forgotten the date. For your ease of mind, you can now sign up for free text message or email reminders a month before your MOT is due.
When is your MOT due? Is it due soon?
The new, stricter MOT testing, although a change, will help keep your peace of mind when buying a car. The stricter testing criteria is ultimately beneficial in ensuring that your car is fit for the road and for you.