How to Replace a Lost MOT Certificate

If your MOT certificate is lost or damaged, you can get a replacement for free online.

Read on and find out how to replace your MOT certificate, if you need a paper certificate and how to view your certificate online.

 

How to Get a Replacement MOT Certificate

If you have lost yours or it has become damaged, you can get a replacement MOT certificate online via the gov.uk website.

To do so, you will need your vehicle registration and the 11-digit number from your vehicle log book (V5C).

Alternatively, you can ask for a replacement certificate at any MOT centre.

This does not have to be the same centre that did your original MOT.

You will need to provide the original MOT test number or the V5C document reference number.

This process can cost you up to £10.

You can also fill in and post a document replacement form for heavy goods vehicles, trailers or public service vehicles for £13.

 

 

Do I Need My Paper MOT Certificate?

You will need a paper copy of your MOT test certificate if you are planning on selling your car.

Prospective buyers will want to see the most recent MOT certificate as proof that the car is roadworthy – the general public does not have access to these digital records.

You will also need a paper MOT certificate to hand in the event of an accident or insurance claim.

You could lose out on a great deal of money if not.

Whilst you will always need an MOT certificate, you don’t necessarily need to have a paper copy.

All the information about your car is available online and every UK MOT centre has access to the DVLA database.

 

Can I View My MOT Certificate Online?

You can check your MOT certificate online via the gov.uk website.

You will need your vehicle’s registration number to do this.

 

Why Is My MOT Not Showing Online?

If you can’t see your MOT result online, the tester just hasn’t uploaded it yet to the central DVSA database.

If you’ve collected your car, along with a valid MOT certificate, the result should be logged – a technical or internet problem could be to blame.

A test centre can still enter the MOT results offline and the system will update them automatically once the problem is fixed.

You might want to check the Government’s MOT history checker rather than the MOT status checker, as it updates much sooner.

You can contact the test centre if you still can’t see your MOT result online.

 

Can I Get a Duplicate MOT Certificate from a Garage?

You can ask any official MOT centre to print a duplicate certificate for your vehicle.

This doesn’t have to be the same centre that did the original test.

You can print a duplicate MOT certificate for any Class 1 to 7 vehicle, which covers the following:

• All motorcycles
• All 3-wheeled vehicles
• Cars
• Caravans
• Minibuses
• Goods vehicles over 3,000 kg up to 3,500 kg.

The only exceptions are Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) and Private Service Vehicles (PSVs).

 

How Do You Print Your MOT Certificate?

The DVLA has introduced a free online MOT certificate replacement service which lets you print your own certificate out at home.

You will need your vehicle’s reg number and the 11-digit reference number from your V5C logbook.

Simply visit the MOT certificate replacement service page and enter these details.

You can then view your certificate and the test record in the vehicle’s MOT history.

You can print your MOT certificate or download it as a PDF if you prefer.

 

Can I Get an MOT without My Old Certificate?

You do not need to bring your old certificate with you to get an MOT test, as this information can be found online at the testing station.

 

Do Garages Still Issue Paper MOT Certificates?

Official testing centres still provide paper copies of MOT certificates.

In the event you fail the MOT test or get a ‘partial pass’, you will receive paperwork explaining why and outlining what you need to do to pass, instead.

 

When Is It Legal to Drive without an MOT Certificate?

Without a valid MOT certificate, you can only drive your car directly to or from a pre-booked MOT test.

 

Can I Tax My Car without an MOT Certificate?

If your vehicle doesn’t have a valid MOT, you won’t be able to renew your road tax.

You can only tax your car without an MOT if it is under 3 years old or MOT exempt.

 

How Long Is an MOT Certificate Valid For?

An MOT certificate is usually valid for one year after the test has been completed.

You can find this date on your MOT certificate or online.

You can renew your MOT certificate up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and your renewal date will stay the same.

 

How Does a Garage Record MOT Results?

Once a garage or MOT centre has completed the test, they will issue you either a VT20 form (pass certificate) or a VT30 (refusal of an MOT certificate).

A VT20 form may have some advisories or minor defects included, but it means that your car is road legal for the year ahead.

If you are issued with a VT30, your vehicle has failed its MOT.

This means it requires repairs before you can drive it again.

The tester will also record your result on an online platform.

The result and certificate will be available online as soon as they are recorded in the MOT testing service.

You can access your vehicle’s MOT history and a duplicate MOT certificate online.

 

How Do I Check My MOT Is Still Valid?

You can check if your MOT is still valid and when it’s due by using our free MOT checker.