My MOT Is Due Soon — Here's Exactly What to Do
Your MOT is the legal annual safety check every car over 3 years old needs in the UK. Miss it and your insurance is invalid and the fine can be £1,000. Here's how to stay on top of it.
How to find your MOT due date
The fastest way: enter your registration on the official GOV.UK MOT history service (gov.uk/check-mot-history). It's free and shows the exact expiry date plus every previous test result.
You can also check the dashboard sticker (some cars), your V5C logbook (initial date only), or your insurance documents.
Can you MOT early?
Yes — you can MOT up to 28 days before expiry and keep the same anniversary date. Useful if you're heading on holiday or want to avoid the late-month rush.
What gets tested
Class 4 MOT (most cars) covers brakes, suspension, steering, tyres, lights, mirrors, wipers, seatbelts, exhaust emissions and bodywork structural integrity. It does NOT check the engine, clutch or gearbox — those are service items.
Common reasons cars fail
A pre-MOT check at Woodseer Autos catches most of these — cheaper than a fail and retest.
After a fail
Your car can still be driven until the existing MOT expires, OR straight to a pre-booked repair appointment. Otherwise it's untaxed driving.
Book with us
We're a DVSA-authorised MOT station in Poplar (E14). Most MOTs done same-day. Call 020 7537 2447 or book online.
Written & reviewed by
Woodseer Autos Workshop Team
DVSA-authorised MOT testers & mechanics
The Woodseer Autos workshop team are DVSA-authorised MOT testers and qualified mechanics with hands-on experience across all MOT classes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7). Articles are written and reviewed by the same technicians who carry out the work in our East London workshop.
- DVSA-authorised MOT Testing Station — VTS V106376
- MOT classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7
- Independent garage operating from 14 Copenhagen Place, London E14 7DF
Need help with this?
Call us on 020 7537 2447 or request a booking online.