We have noticed one question popping up again and again on the automotive forums: Can you do an MOT of your car outside the UK, and is it legal to do? Some assume that there is a way to do a standard MOT Warwick test outside of Europe, and some people don’t agree with this. But what is the reality?

In this blog post, we will talk about whether doing an MOT test of your car outside the UK is possible and how MOT testing works. If you are interested in knowing more about MOT testing, then keep reading.

Why You Cannot Do An MOT of Your Vehicle Outside The UK?

A vehicle that is registered in the UK can only be able to do an MOT test within the UK. Only with a valid MOT certificate are you able to renew the UK road tax of your vehicle. If you are driving your UK car abroad for an extended period, you need to make sure when you return to the UK, you have the up-to-date MOT of your vehicle.

What is an MOT?

An MOT test is a legal mandatory test that is performed on an annual basis on vehicles to check their safety, emissions, and roadworthiness. It is a legal requirement for most of the vehicles that are operated within the UK.

These are the important facts you need to know about MOT testing:

• The motive for doing this test is to check your car’s safety and roadworthiness in different parameters.

• If your car is brand new, you need to do an MOT test three years after its registration date.

• The MOT test includes an extensive list of internal and external checks.

• The MOT test will only inspect your car visually and not allow you to change or remove any parts of it, which is why you need to service your car regularly.

• There are over six hundred ways to fail your car MOT test, including major and minor issues.

Who Performs the MOT Test of Your Vehicle?

The MOT test is controlled by the DVSA, and MOTs must be performed by a qualified and approved MOT tester. There are more than 60,000 privately employed MOT testers who perform MOT testing within the UK. Almost 30 million MOTs performed on an annual basis in the 23,000 MOT testing stations in the UK. 

How Can I Book My Car For An MOT?

You have a couple of options when booking your car MOT test, including:

Main dealer: These are connected with the car manufacturer, and if your car needs major repairs and replacement, then this place is the best to go. You might also get a courtesy car if your car repairs take longer. The labour rates and manufacturer-based services are usually more expensive, but the repair bill won’t be as big.

Fast fit: You can choose branded chains such as Kwik Fit, Halfords, or National, which have a reputation for being the best option for quick repairs like batteries and exhausts. Most chains also offer repair and service of your car. This is usually more affordable to a main dealer when it comes to repair work, but still more expensive than independent garages.

Independent: Independent garages repair almost all types of car brands, and they have the lowest labour rates. But, while some garages do the work brilliantly, some are not good at all, and they will charge more than they should. Some independent garages don’t offer repairs and only do MOT testing.

What Do MOT Results Mean To You?

On average, more than 60% of vehicles pass their MOT test annually. When your car passes its MOT test, the tester will issue a VT20 MOT certificate, which mentions your next year's due date of MOT. If your car fails its MOT test, the tester will issue a VT30 certificate, which highlights all reasons for failing the test. 

In May 2018, the process of doing MOT tests changed. One of the main changes in the MOT test is that the defects are now categorised into three, including dangerous, major, and minor.

If your car fails its MOT test and falls under the dangerous category, it is a very serious problem for safety or the environment. In this case, you are not able to drive your car on the public road until the problem is fixed. If there is no facility for repair in the MOT test centre, you need to arrange for a tow truck to transport your car to the nearest garage.

If your car falls under a major category, it can affect the safety or the environment and needs to be repaired as soon as possible. 

In the minor category, the car can still pass the MOT test, as it doesn’t have a significant impact on safety or the environment but has some defects that can easily be repaired.

The advisory means a warning that could become more serious, and you need to keep an eye on your car parts.

If your car passes its MOT test, it means your car is roadworthy and safe for the environment. As soon as you receive the result, you need to act fast according to the result. Avoid driving your car if it fails its MOT in Warwick because it is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and a driving ban.