When does a new car need its first MOT?
All new cars registered in the UK are exempt from MOT requirements for the first three years. After that, a test is required every 12 months. If you have recently bought a new or nearly new car, here is when the first test falls due and what to check.
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When does a new car need its first MOT?
A new car registered in the UK requires its first MOT test when it reaches three years old. The three-year period runs from the date of first registration - not the date of manufacture. For example, a car first registered on 15 June 2022 requires its first MOT on or before 15 June 2025.
The three-year exemption applies only during that initial period. Once a car has had its first test, a new MOT is required every 12 months from that date.
Does the exemption apply to all new vehicles?
The three-year exemption applies to most new passenger cars. Electric vehicles follow the same rules and require their first MOT at three years old - there are no different timing rules for EVs.
Exceptions include historic vehicles - those manufactured or first registered more than 40 years ago that have not been substantially changed (for example, by replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine in a way that changes how the vehicle works). These vehicles are exempt from MOT requirements under a rolling rule, so the exempt category expands each year. Taxis, some adapted vehicles, and certain commercial vehicles follow different testing classes and frequencies, but for standard new passenger cars, three years is the rule.
How do I know when my first MOT is due?
The DVSA sends a reminder to the registered keeper shortly before the first MOT is due. You can also check your vehicle's MOT status and next due date at any time using the free DVSA checker at gov.uk, using just the registration number.
The reminder is sent to the address held on file at the DVLA, so it is important to keep your address updated on your V5C. If you have moved house and not updated the logbook, you may miss the reminder.
Can I get the first MOT done early?
Yes. You can book an MOT up to one calendar month before the due date and the new certificate will start from the original due date rather than the test date. This means you do not lose any time on the certificate by testing a month early.
If you test more than one calendar month before the due date, the new certificate runs from the actual date of the test - so you lose the gap between the test date and the original due date.
What happens if you miss the first MOT date?
The same rules that apply to any expired MOT apply once the three-year exemption has passed. The vehicle must have a valid certificate to be driven on a public road, with the usual exception - you can drive directly to a pre-booked test. Missing the first MOT is the same offence as driving with a lapsed certificate: a fine of up to £1,000, possible seizure of the vehicle, and potential insurance complications.
Buying a used car approaching its first MOT
If you are buying a used car that is approaching the three-year mark, check whether the first MOT has been done using the DVSA checker. A car that is already three years old with no MOT history at all should prompt further questions - it may have been declared SORN, stored, or have simply had its test missed.
When collecting a purchased car that needs its first MOT, temporary car insurance can provide cover for the drive home before the test is arranged. If you are collecting a car on finance, our guide to insuring a financed car before collection explains the specific requirements that apply before you leave the dealership.
If the car fails the first test, our guide to what to do after an MOT failure covers your options - from driving away if the old certificate is still valid, to arranging repairs when the car must stay off the road.
What does the first MOT test cover?
The first MOT for a new car is a full standard test - not a lighter or abbreviated version. The examiner inspects all the same items as at any annual test: lights and signalling, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, seatbelts, windscreen, wipers and washers, mirrors, bodywork for sharp or protruding edges, exhaust emissions, and the vehicle identification number plate.
For a new car that has covered comparatively little mileage, major defects at the first test are uncommon. The most frequent issues tend to be minor: a bulb that has blown in a hard-to-notice location, screen wash fluid that needs topping up, or advisory notes on items that are still within limits but approaching them after three years. Running through our pre-MOT checklist before the first test is as worthwhile as it is for any subsequent one.
Knowing what commonly fails an MOT - from lighting faults to tyre tread depth - is useful preparation before the first appointment, even for a relatively new car.
How to book your first MOT
Any DVSA-authorised MOT test centre can carry out the first test. You are not required to use a main dealer or the manufacturer's approved network. You can find a centre near you using the test station finder on GOV.UK.
Booking in advance is recommended rather than arriving without an appointment. March and September are particularly busy months in the UK - large numbers of three-year-old registrations from the March and September number plate changes all come up for testing at the same time, meaning popular local test stations can be fully booked for days ahead. Book as early as practical, and remember you can test up to one calendar month early without losing days on the certificate.
Do I need to tell my insurer about my MOT due date?
No. Insurers do not require you to report MOT dates or renewals. However, you must ensure the vehicle is maintained in a roadworthy condition as a policy condition. A car that has passed the three-year mark with no MOT may be considered unroadworthy for insurance claim purposes, even if no specific defects are known.
Frequently asked questions
When is a new car's first MOT due?
Three years after the date of first registration. A car first registered on 1 March 2022 will need its first MOT by 1 March 2025. The DVSA will send a reminder to the registered keeper, and you can check the exact date using the free MOT checker at gov.uk.
Do electric vehicles need an MOT?
Yes. Electric cars require an MOT on the same timescale as petrol or diesel cars - first test at three years old, then annually. The content of the test differs slightly (no emissions check), but the requirement and timing are the same.
What happens if I buy a car that already has its first MOT?
If you buy a used car with a valid MOT, the certificate transfers with the car. The new owner does not need to arrange a fresh test until the current one expires. Check the expiry date on the DVSA checker before buying.
Can I get an MOT before my new car is three years old?
The DVSA will issue a test certificate, but there is no legal requirement to test before the three-year mark. Most drivers wait until the first renewal is due.
If I move house, will I still receive the MOT reminder?
Only if your address is up to date at the DVLA. Update your V5C when you move to ensure the reminder reaches you. You can also check the due date at any time on the gov.uk MOT checker without relying on the postal reminder.
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