MOT guides
What is an MOT?
The MOT is the UK's annual roadworthiness test. Here is what it does — and the one thing it cannot tell you.
What the MOT checks
An MOT examines the parts that keep a vehicle safe and legal: brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, seatbelts, the body structure, exhaust emissions and more. It is not a mechanical service and does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox condition.
What the result means
A pass means the vehicle met the standard on the test date — not that nothing will go wrong tomorrow. Results can include advisories (things to monitor) and minor, major or dangerous defects. See defect categories explained.
The bit the MOT cannot tell you
The MOT is a snapshot of the past. It cannot tell you how likely the car is to fail next time. That is what MOTIntel adds: a statistical next-MOT failure-risk estimate based on how same-model, same-age, same-mileage cars actually fare.
Check any UK reg free for its full MOT history plus a statistical next-MOT failure-risk estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Safety and environmental items: brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, seatbelts, body structure and emissions. It is not a service and does not assess engine or gearbox wear.
No. An MOT is a legal roadworthiness test; a service is preventative maintenance. A car can pass its MOT and still be due a service.