Coronavirus: Drivers get six-month MoT extension as Government battles spread of Covid-19
The Government has announced a six-month extension for all car and van MoTs in the UK until 1 August.
Cars and vans that are due an MoT from 30 March will automatically get a six-month extension, which means people will not have to visit their local garage if they are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus or living with someone who is vulnerable to the disease. The MoT extension will end on 1 August.
The move comes after car dealers called for a three-month moratorium on MoT testing in a bid to reduce social contact. The Government has already suspended the annual roadworthiness test for heavy goods vehicles, buses and trailers.
Have all MoT tests been cancelled?
No, MoT test centres will continue to remain open and operate as normal. This means drivers can still take their car for an MoT test, but must stay at home if they (or someone they live with) has coronavirus symptoms or is vulnerable to Covid-19.
My car's MoT is due to take place before 30 March, what should I do?
Car owners are generally advised to have their car MoT'd as normal. However, if you are showing symptoms of the coronavirus or living with someone who is considered high risk to the disease, you are advised to stay at home and take your car for its MoT when the self-isolation period is over. The Department for Transport has told HonestJohn.co.uk it is working with insurers and the police to ensure drivers are not unfairly penalised for not being able to get an MoT.
My car has failed its MoT recently, will I get an automatic six month MoT extension?
No. If your car or van has failed the MoT you will be required to fix the car and have it retested. It will not qualify for the automatic six month extension.
My MoT is due on or after 30 March, what do I need to do?
Nothing, the MoT will automatically be renewed for six months. This means an MoT that was due on 3 April will automatically be extended until 3 October.
My car is three years old and its first MoT is due, what happens now?
Your car will automatically be given a six month exemption from the date its first MoT was due (which will be three years after it was first registered).
Can I drive my car after the MoT has expired?
Only if your MoT is due on or after 30 March. Cars and vans with an MoT that expires before 30 March cannot legally be used on the road unless they are being driven to a pre-booked MoT appointment. If your MoT is on or after 30 March you may receive a letter from the DVSA that will advise of the new MoT renewal date. Alternatively, car owners can sign up for free MoT reminders via Honest John Homepages. The new MoT renewal date may take a few days to be processed by the DVSA so check back regularly if it hasn't changed.
Can I tax my car during the six month MoT extension?
Yes, you can tax your vehicle as normal once the MoT details for your vehicle has been updated by the DVSA.
How long will these new MoT rules be in place for?
A minimum of six months, until 30 September. However, vehicle owners are reminded that they will continue to be responsible for the roadworthiness of their vehicle. You can be fined up to £2500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
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robert lyth on 25 March 2020
MOT stations still open. You can still have your car or Motorcycle mot'don 25 March 2020
We are in the awkward position that our car was booked for MOT tomorrow
(First MOT as 3 years old - due date is 28th March) and therefore it falls outside the extension rules which commence from 30 March
The local garage is now closed - so has cancelled our appointment.
Per twitter it looks like loads of people in same position as load of new cars will have been bought before end of March 2017.
Makes no sense not to back date this 6 month extension to today's date (or the date of lockdown) given that we are supposed to be isolating
Any suggestions please ?
Thank you
on 25 March 2020
Find another garage, I have and today my car passed its MOT and the garage told me they had a few No Shows. Booked for 3.00pm delivered about 12.30 ready by 2.00pm. So worth a try.MartyF on 25 March 2020
Same here. Mine was due on 30th, but its been carried out today - and passed. Although theoretically you can drive without an MoT for an additional 6 months, I cant help wondering that, in the event of an accident, the first thing any insurance company will now do is check the safety aspect of the vehicle at the time of the accident. Whats the chance an area that would render an MoT fail at the time of the accident (worn brake pads/blown bulbs/leaking shock absorbers/damaged ball joints etc) will invalidate the claim?,
BrendanP on 25 March 2020
Does this mean that a car with MoT expiring on September 29th will have it extended by 6 months, whereas an MoT expiring on 1st October will get no extension? In the 6 months following 30th Sept, testing stations will have double the normal workload.Victor Ahiaba on 26 March 2020
That's a very tricky one. But Government can change things anytime.
Alan Burgess on 31 March 2020
No, not if restrictions are relaxed more than a week before the due date.
Edited by Alan Burgess on 31/03/2020 at 11:12
Roger Hulme on 25 March 2020
I have 2 cars. The MOT for one expires on 27 April and the other one on 12 May. Am I correct in saying that one can have an MOT 31 days before the due date? - if so, I could have one on 27 March.If I don't do this, would I better waiting until October?
Would the new MOT run for 12 months from the date of test or follow the original date - i.e. be valid for <1 year?
intermal on 25 March 2020
My car's MOT expires 2nd FEB 2021, does this mean it now runs out 2nd OCT 2021?KingGooner on 25 March 2020
Not as it stands... unless the Government extends it out past Feb 2021 which is possible but unlkely.
intermal on 26 March 2020
Thanks for answer. I meant August 2021,
Alan Burgess on 31 March 2020
Not if restrictions are relaxed more than a week before the due date.
BJET on 30 March 2020
If the MOT expiry date is AFTER 30 March 2020 the govt. states that an automatic 6 month extension will be applied The expiry date should now be 2 August 2021 if the " automatic " action is applied
bjet
davet8890 on 25 March 2020
Not a question about MOT but rather annual service. As a new car requires an annual service to vaildate the warranty what happens if you can`t get out to have the service done?
Edited by davet8890 on 25/03/2020 at 21:24
cbr1100xx on 26 March 2020
We had 6 cars booked in for MOT and service yesterday. All six called and cancelled. Two we knew would fail and are now on the road for another six months. Stupid or what.on 28 March 2020
My cars mot expired on 21st of feb do you think this will be given a extension ?NickNike on 30 March 2020
There's a lot of possibly dangerous cars out there.steve brittle on 30 March 2020
And motorbikes. Same rules??Alan Burgess on 31 March 2020
It seems that some people may be getting the wrong idea about the six month extension. It does not mean that all vehicles will get a six month extension. This will be done on a rolling basis until the government resumes normal testing. Here is what the DVSA have said:
DVSA will start moving MOT expiry dates automatically in the MOT system from 30 March 2020. This will initially be done in a few batches, so that after a few days they are working 7 days ahead. That will mean, say, that every Tuesday – the following Tuesday’s tests are moved 6 months ahead. How long will this continue? The government will keep this under review to manage the spread of COVID-19.
Edited by Alan Burgess on 31/03/2020 at 11:21
Paul Furber on 31 March 2020
My wife’s car’s MOT was due on 30 March and her tax is due 1 April. The DVSA haven’t yet changed her MOT date and so she can’t tax the car. Is she driving illegally?
Update; date updated evening of 31 March so now all ok.
Edited by Paul Furber on 31/03/2020 at 23:26
Philip Whaley on 13 April 2020
We plated a horse box (heavy goods) ahead of time before COVID-19 - very expensive. Then the delay came in... I wish we’d done it in line with the actual date rather than being pro-active and getting tested ahead of time. Now in 12 months, we’ll be testing again & having to pay the hundreds of pounds it costs 6 months early. I wish they’d give us a 6 month extension... but that’s perhaps hoping to exploit the situation... which I feel bad about - but my wallet doesn’t.Jeffrey Page on 16 April 2020
My vehicle not expires on 2nd June I assume I have got the 6 month extension December but do I have to apply for road tax or is there an automatic renewal?A-list on 20 April 2020
In this extension period will myNew Mot be valid from the date of the Mot
or the original due date ? ( remaining 6 months ! )
Big John on 23 April 2020
My sons car orginally was due 24th April 2020.The the www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ now shows:-
Date tested 10 April 2019 PASS
Expiry date 24 October 2020
johnnyblue on 30 April 2020
Thanks for the link. It seems that it will only show the new date 3 days before the MOT is originally due.
Coffeeshop on 6 July 2020
If i take advantage of the 6 month Covid19 mot extension, (origonal expiry 5/6/20 but extended to 5/12/20) will my car get a full new 12 months mot from the date i go to get it done (ie- dec 20), or will the new expiry date still be 5/6/21), meaning new mot will run out after 6mths instead of 12. None of the Goverment sites clarify this info. Makes a big difference to when folk decide to take their car in to be mot'd. If reverts back to origonal due date, then theres no really any point in delaying getting it done (unless you ill or shielding that is).Add a comment