Which Types Of Vehicles Don’t Need MOT Certificate?

If you are a resident of the United Kingdom then you are familiar with the concept of the MOT. This is a test overlooked by the DVSA or the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the main purpose behind this is to check if the vehicles which are being driven in the United Kingdom are safe for the roads as well as the environment. But, there are a few rules and regulations for the vehicles which are being tested here. In this blog, we will be providing you with a detailed breakdown of the vehicles that are exempted from this test and the rules for these exempted vehicles.

Understanding MOT

Before diving right into the list of exempted vehicles, firstly you should know what MOT is. So, MOT test Manchester is as we have mentioned a test conducted of all the vehicles which are being driven in the United Kingdom. The main purpose behind the introduction of this by the government in the 1960s was to deal with issues like pollution and the increasing number of cases of accidents due to the failure of vehicle parts. Around 20 components of vehicles are examined in this test. The UK government has made this a mandatory test for the vehicles which needs to be conducted annually to renew your MOT certificate. But, the government has made some exceptions to this test and these are for the vehicles that are tested. So, let’s take a look at what these exemptions are.

Vehicles That Don’t Need To Get MOT

Yes, you read it right. The United Kingdom government has set some rules under which there are many vehicles which don’t need to get the MOT certification to be driven on the road. Here is a list of these vehicles and the rules some of them have to follow:

• Vehicles Being Less Than 3 Years Old

If you have just bought a new vehicle and it has not completed 3 years from the date of registration then you don’t have to get a MOT certificate to drive the vehicle around in the United Kingdom.

• Vehicles Older Than 40 Years

If the vehicle that you own is older than 40 years and you have not made any big changes or modifications to it then there is no need for you to get this test for the vehicle. In this context, modifications refer to the changes that are going to affect the performance of the vehicle like engine modifications, changes in the braking system, suspension, or any other like that. If you have made physical changes like- changing the colour of the vehicle or making changes in the interior which will not affect the vehicle’s performance, are acceptable. 

• Commercial Vehicles

Big commercial vehicles like Lorries, buses, and trailers do not need to get the test taken. But these types of vehicles are divided into separate categories and for them, a special test is conducted.

• SORN vehicles

SORN might be a new term for you. SORN stands for Statutory Off-Road Notification Vehicles. If you are not using your vehicle on public roads in the United Kingdom, then they come under the category of SORN vehicles. If your vehicle comes under this category, then you would need to file a declaration with the DVSA. After this, you won’t need to conduct the test for your vehicle. The process for filing for a declaration is quite simple. You need to fill out the  DVLA Form V112 in which you need to enter all the details of your vehicle like registration number and personal details and send it through post to the DVLA office.

Checking Your Vehicle’s Eligibility For MOT

If you are still confused and are not sure if your vehicle qualifies for this test, then here are some ways through which you can check your vehicle’s eligibility for this test:

• You can check the official MOT website of the United Kingdom government where all you need to enter is your registration number and get all the information you need to know about your vehicle’s MOT. Here you will also find details on whether your vehicle is eligible for this test or not.
• You can use various free tools available on the internet which also provides information on your vehicle’s MOT. 
• There are also various centres of car service Manchester where you can go and ask if your vehicle is eligible for the test or not.
• You can also read the complete MOT guidelines rule book where all the information related to the exempted vehicles is available.

Conclusion

Knowing about the various exemptions of the MOT can be very helpful for you as you now know if your vehicle needs to get an MOT certification or not. Being a mandatory test and also a legal requirement, getting your vehicle tested if it is eligible is not only your duty as a citizen but also a responsibility as a vehicle owner. By taking the test one can know if it is in good condition and whether it is safe for driving or not. So, check your vehicle’s eligibility for the test and get it tested if eligible.