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When is an MOT Test First Due on a New Car?

A new car does not need an MOT for the first three years. The first test is due on the third anniversary of the date it was first registered. After that, the test is due every year.

On 25 January 2024 the government confirmed it would not move that first test to four years. The decision is in the consultation response. Later rule notes are on the MOT history check.

The date follows the vehicle's registration, not how long the current keeper has owned it. A car bought at two years old still has its first MOT on the original third anniversary.

After the first test

From the third anniversary, the car needs a valid MOT to be used on a public road. Book the test at a DVSA-approved centre. The MOT check shows the history held for the registration. It does not book a test. A car still inside its first three years may have no test result yet.

Related Articles:

When is my MOT due?Can an MOT test be conducted early?What exceptions are there for needing an MOT?

Frequently Asked Questions

The first MOT is due on the third anniversary of the vehicle’s first registration. After that, the test is annual.

The MOT check shows the history held for that registration. A car still inside its first three years may have no test result yet. The first due date follows the registration anniversary.

Enter the registration on the MOT check to see the expiry date on the record. The check does not book a test.

After the third anniversary of first registration, the keeper books the test at a DVSA-approved centre. The MOT check on this site only shows the record. It does not book the test.