MOT due dates extended by six months

MOT extension applied to cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020

MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans have been extended by six months in a bid to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Vehicle owners do not need to do anything to extend the MOT expiry date if it’s on or after 30 March 2020 but they must keep their vehicle in a roadworthy condition.

If a vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 April 2020, this will automatically be extended to 3 October 2020 and the owner will need to get an MOT by this date.

The DVSA is not issuing paper exemption certificates.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID-19 are able to do so.

“Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people to get essential food and medicine.

“Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.”

MOTs that run-out before 30 March

If a vehicle’s first MOT was due before 30 March 2020 and it did not pass, it won’t get an extension to its MOT due date.

The DVSA advises owners of vehicles that have run out of MOT while in self-isolation to book an MOT test after their period of self-isolation is over.

Vehicle owners that are extremely vulnerable from coronavirus must not take their vehicle for its MOT.

Those who are not self-isolating may book an MOT at any test centre.

The Department for Transport is working with insurers and the police to ensure owners are not unfairly penalised for not being able to get an MOT.

“Garages are allowed to stay open”

The government is allowing MOT centres and garages to remain open for owners that use their vehicle to shop for basic necessities, for any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person and to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

A spokesperson for the DVSA said: “The government has extended the requirement for certain businesses to close, but garages are allowed to stay open.

“This is to make sure that essential vehicle maintenance and repair to keep vehicles, goods and key workers moving and safe can continue.”