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Ministry of Transport (MOT) Certificate

Any vehicle that is over three years old must undergo an extensive series of checks at an approved MOT garage (which display the three triangles logo shown ) to ensure that it is entirely roadworthy. If the car fails for any reason the garage will usually make the necessary repairs necessary for the car to pass. If the car is very old it might be thought uneconomic to repair the car in which case it has reached the end of its life.


A current certificate is required whenever you wish to get a new Tax Disc if the vehicle is more than three years old. If the driver is stopped by the police for any reason they can require you to show them a current MOT certificate or you will be charged with an offence.


The Ministry of Transport test is designed to ensure that the car is roadworthy and not a danger to others or the driver. They concentrate on areas such as:

  • brakes

  • emissions

  • tyres

  • structural integrity (if there is major rusting of the bodywork replacement parts may need to be welded on)

  • windscreen wipers

  • lights


The car might be in a very unsightly condition otherwise but if it does not affect the safety of the vehicle it does not affect the certificate.
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Insurance


Everybody who drives a vehicle must by law have insurance cover for the damage that they might cause to others. They might also have cover for damage that might happen to them. There are two basic forms of insurance

  • Third party fire and theft: This is the minimum legal requirement and basically covers you for damage you might do to others.


  • Comprehensive insurance also covers you and your car for damage others might do to you.


The amount you will pay will depend on how big a risk the insurance company thinks you are. It will depend on your age, the size of the car, the value of the car,where you live, etc. If you are under 25 you are usually considered a very bad risk so you have to pay very high premiums. A high performance car is considered a greater risk