When Is My MOT Due?

The 3-year MOT rule — how it works

Your car must have its first MOT when it is three years old, and every year after that. This applies to all petrol and diesel cars; vans follow the same rule for Class 7 testing. The due date is printed on your V5 registration document, but it is easy to forget, so we recommend setting a reminder two months before.

Missing your MOT means driving illegally. If you get stopped, you can be fined up to £1,000. More importantly, an un-tested car may have hidden faults that affect safety — MOT is your checkpoint to catch brake wear, suspension problems, or emission issues before they become dangerous or expensive.

How to check your MOT due date

You can check your due date online via the DVLA website by entering your registration number. It takes 30 seconds. Alternatively, call ER Automotive on 0121 461 6097 and we will tell you over the phone.

What happens if you fail the MOT?

Do not worry — MOT failures are common. We will give you a detailed report of what failed and what is advisory (needs fixing soon but is not a failure). Many customers return within days to repair and re-test. We can advise on fixes and book your retest within 10 working days once repairs are done.

If you are in Smethwick or the surrounding West Midlands area, we can handle the repair and retest in one place, which saves time and hassle. Call us when you get your failure notice and we will be honest about cost and timescale.