About The 5 Important Certificates of MOT Test

The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a mandatory annual inspection for vehicles older than three years in the UK. It ensures that the car meets the minimum legal requirements of the vehicle. This test also ensures that the car meets the road safety and environmental standards set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The mot test examines multiple aspects of the vehicle. These aspects include brakes, lights, exhaust emissions, tyres, and structural integrity to confirm the road's worthiness. Once the car passes the test, a valid mot certificate indicates compliance with the legal requirements. This document is important for the vehicle owner, as driving without a valid mot test can incur fines and penalties. Read this blog to learn more about all five important certificates for the mot test.

Standard MOT Pass Certificate

The common type of MOT certificate is the standard pass certificate, also known as the VT20 certificate. This certificate is issued when you successfully pass all the testing criteria. This document contains all the essential details like vehicle registration number, make and model, test date, expiry date, and the test station information. This information is important for future reference. Moreover, this information includes the mot test number, which can be used to verify the certificate online via DVSA’s database. The standard MOT certificate indicates that the vehicle is roadworthy during testing with no immediate concerns affecting its safety or environmental performance. However, vehicle owners need to keep their cars serviced and make all the repairs to keep them in top-notch condition.

MOT Certificate with Advisories

The mot test certificate with the advisories is issued when the vehicle passes the MOT Rainham but has minor defects or issues that do not constitute a failure. The advisories are treated as warnings of potential problems that may worsen if not addressed on time. For example, the certificate may state that the brake pads are worn but are still above the minimum legal limit. The tyres are close to requiring replacements. While the advisories do not immediately invalidate the mot pass, they should not be ignored. Neglecting them can cause failure in future tests or compromise vehicle safety.

MOT Certificate with Minor Defects

Similar to the advisory certificate, minor defects are non-critical issues noted on the mot certificate. Unlike advisories, which are known as warnings, minor defects need attention but can’t prevent the vehicle from passing the mot test. That certificate will include sections that list all the minor issues and advise the owner about the repairs they need to make to their vehicle as soon as possible. For example, the minor defects included a slightly damaged wing mirror and a small crack in the windscreen that is unbothered to their drivers. They also include license plate lights that are not functioning properly. These issues do not affect the mot test results that much, but they need to be rectified early to maintain the vehicle’s safety and compliance. 

Duplicate MOT Certificate

The duplicate MOT certificate is a replacement issued when the original certificate is misplaced or damaged by mistake. It can be issued from the MOT center. They ask the vehicle owner for all the necessary details. These include the vehicle registration and 11-digit reference numbers from the V5C logbook. The duplicate certificate has all the necessary information and looks identical to the original one. This certificate includes the test date, expiration date, and any other advisories. As digital motor records are being introduced, the vehicle owner can now check the MOT test history online. This makes the workflow easier and makes the verification of the vehicle test status easier. Even if the paper certificate is misplaced.

MOT Certificate for a Historic Vehicle

This certificate is for classic and historic vehicles that are 40 years old and are exempt from the MOT test, as these cars have not been substantially modified. Some owners choose to undergo the voluntary Mot test to ensure that the vintage vehicles will remain roadworthy. If the vintage car passes the mot test, the owner receives the standard MOT certificate, even though they don’t need it legally. This certificate is useful for selling a vehicle or for peace of mind. This confirms that the vehicle meets the basic safety standards. Some insurance companies may ask for a valid motor certificate as part of their coverage requirements, even for old cars.

Final Words

Having a valid MOT certificate is important to ensure the roadworthiness, legality, and safety of the vehicle. Whether it is a standard passing certificate, one with advisories, or one with minor defects. Every certificate needs to serve a specific purpose in maintaining compliance with safety regulations. The vehicle owner should check their mot test status regularly. It tells you about any advisories or minor defects to prevent future failures. Keeping an updated mot certificate not only avoids legal penalties but also ensures safe driving for all road users.