Buying a new car can often be a great way to ensure reliability and you know that the owner history is going to be one you can trust – because it’s simply just you! However, did you also know that buying a new car comes with the added benefit of not having to worry about an MOT straight away?
When will my car’s first MOT be due?
For the first three years of its life, your car will not need to get an MOT, which is one of the reasons you will find a number of manufacturers offering 3-year finance deals on new vehicles, with the idea being that you trade your now-old(er) car in as a deposit towards another new car, avoiding the need for an MOT and keeping the cycle going for the dealership.
Why don’t new cars need an MOT straight away?
New cars do not need an MOT for their first three years on the road due to the quality of build standards among modern cars. While drivers are expected to keep their cars in roadworthy conditions, it is unlikely that any major defects will have surfaced in the car’s first 36 months on the road.
As a result, while it’s strongly advised to keep your car serviced regularly, there is no legal requirement for you to get an MOT until three years after the car is manufactured. So if the car is first registered on the 6th March 2022, you will need an MOT from the 6th March 2025 and beyond.
What happens if I forget to MOT my car?
It can be quite easy to forget that your car is due an MOT if you have been driving for the past three years without having to worry about one – if not longer if you’ve been in the dealership cycle for the last few years. While it’s easily done, you want to make sure that you avoid any the risk of your MOT expiring, as driving without a valid one is a big no-no, and, unless you are driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment, you could find yourself slapped with a £1,000 fine.
Your chances of being caught without a valid MOT are quite high, too. With the MOT database being computerised, any Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system will automatically flag you up as not having a valid MOT, and unless you’re going to your MOT appointment there is no wiggle room – if you’re caught, you’re caught. To avoid this happening to you, you can set up MOT reminders through the DVLA – our MOT renewals guide explains more.
Have you been thinking of replacing your tired old car with something a little bit newer and without the added fear of an annual MOT? Why not scrap your old vehicle to go towards the deposit of something new? We at Scrap Car Comparison would be more than happy to help you out, and with our nationwide network of collectors and buyers will even be able to pick it up free of charge – no matter where you are! So get a scrap quote today and see just how much you can put towards the car of your dreams.
