Enter the date of first registration from the V5C logbook to see when the first MOT is due and the earliest day you can book it.
| MOT | Due by | Earliest test |
|---|
Assumes each MOT is passed within the early test window, so the renewal date stays the same. Confirm your current expiry with the GOV.UK MOT history check.
This first MOT due date calculator tells owners of new and nearly new cars in the UK the exact date their first MOT is due, the earliest day they can take the test without losing any time, and the dates of the next three yearly MOTs. It applies the GOV.UK rules for England, Scotland and Wales and the four year rule used in Northern Ireland, so you can book with confidence instead of counting months on a calendar.
Quick answer: a car's first MOT is due by the third anniversary of its first registration in England, Scotland and Wales, or the fourth in Northern Ireland. A car registered on 14 November 2023 is due by 14 November 2026 and can be tested from 15 October 2026. The first MOT due date calculator works out any date.
In This Guide
What Is a First MOT Due Date Calculator?
A first MOT due date calculator is a tool that adds the legal MOT age for your vehicle to its date of first registration and then works out the early testing window. The formula in plain words: due date equals the registration date plus 3 years (4 in Northern Ireland, 1 for taxis and ambulances), and the earliest test that keeps the same renewal date is one month before the due date, plus one day.
The registration date is what counts, not the day you collected the car or the build date. It appears in section B of the V5C logbook. The rules come from the GOV.UK guide to getting an MOT, which says you must get an MOT by the third anniversary of registration and can test up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out while keeping the same renewal date.
How to Use the First MOT Due Date Calculator
Step 1: Enter the Registration Date
Type the date of first registration from the V5C. For a car bought nearly new, use the original registration date rather than the date you bought it, because the three year clock started with the first keeper.
Step 2: Choose Where It Is Registered
Leave England, Scotland or Wales selected for a GB registered vehicle. Choose Northern Ireland if the car is registered there, and the first MOT moves to four years with tests booked through the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Step 3: Pick the Vehicle and Check Date
Most people leave the vehicle as car, van or motorcycle. Choose the second option for a taxi, ambulance or a vehicle with 9 or more passenger seats, which needs its first MOT at one year old. The check date starts as today; change it to see the position on any other day.
Step 4: Read Your MOT Dates
The large date is when the MOT must be done by. The tiles show the earliest test date that keeps that renewal date, the days remaining and the vehicle's age, and the box tells you whether the test window is open. The table lists the first four MOT due dates with the earliest booking day for each.
When Is My First MOT Due?
Your first MOT is due on the third anniversary of the date of first registration in Great Britain, and every 12 months after that. Worked example: Tom in Reading bought a 73 plate hatchback first registered on 14 November 2023. The first MOT due date calculator shows the first MOT is due by Saturday 14 November 2026 and he can test from Thursday 15 October 2026. If it passes on 20 October, his next MOT is still due by 14 November 2027, so booking early costs him nothing.
| First registered | Where | First MOT due by | Earliest test keeping the date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2023 (73 plate) | Great Britain | 1 September 2026 | 2 August 2026 |
| 14 November 2023 | Great Britain | 14 November 2026 | 15 October 2026 |
| 1 March 2024 (24 plate) | Great Britain | 1 March 2027 | 2 February 2027 |
| 20 June 2025 (taxi) | Great Britain | 20 June 2026 | 21 May 2026 |
| 14 November 2023 | Northern Ireland | 14 November 2027 | Book through the DVA |
How Early Can I Get My First MOT?
You can get your first MOT up to one month minus one day before it is due and keep the same renewal date. For a due date of 1 March 2027, the earliest such day is 2 February 2027. You can test even earlier if you want, for example before a long trip abroad, but the new certificate then runs for 12 months from the test date, so you lose the unused weeks.
Many new cars come with a three year warranty and a three year PCP finance deal, so the first MOT often lands in the same month as the decision to keep, hand back or part exchange the car. If that applies to you, the PCP calculator helps compare the balloon payment with a new deal before you spend money on MOT repairs.
Is the First MOT Different in Northern Ireland?
Yes. In Northern Ireland cars and motorcycles need their first MOT at four years old, not three, and tests are booked with the DVA. The DVA sends a reminder to book, and a certificate runs for 12 months from the date of the test. If you move a GB registered car to Northern Ireland, you cannot carry over credit from a GB test.
Which Vehicles Need an MOT After 1 Year?
Taxis, ambulances and private passenger vehicles with 9 or more passenger seats need their first MOT at one year old rather than three. The GOV.UK MOT test fees table lists the first MOT age and the maximum fee for each class: £54.85 for a car with up to 8 passenger seats, and £57.30 for a 9 to 12 seat private passenger vehicle. Garages can charge less than the maximum but not more.
What Happens If I Miss My First MOT?
If you miss your first MOT, you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT. GOV.UK allows only two kinds of journey without one: to a pre arranged MOT test, and to or from somewhere the vehicle is being repaired. Owners often miss the first test because no previous certificate exists to remind them, which is why the first MOT due date calculator shows the first MOT date and the three that follow.
- Set a free reminder: the GOV.UK MOT reminder service sends a text or email one month before a car's MOT is due.
- Check tyres before the test: tread depth and damage are common MOT failures, and the tyre age calculator shows whether the original tyres on a three year old car are getting old.
- Book the window early: new number plates arrive in March and September, so many cars reach their third birthday in those months and local garages get busy.
- Keep the V5C handy: the garage uses the registration number, but the logbook confirms the first registration date if anything looks wrong.
An MOT checks that the car meets road safety and environmental standards on the day of the test; it is not a service. Before buying a nearly new car, the VIN model year decoder helps confirm the model year while you check the V5C dates. Figures checked October 2026 against GOV.UK and nidirect.
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How we checked this tool: the Tools Veria Editorial Team built this tool by hand, checked it against the official rules or published standards where they apply, and tested it against worked examples. Results are estimates for planning, not personal financial or tax advice. Read our editorial policy and disclaimer, or report an error.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my first MOT due on a new car?
Your first MOT is due by the third anniversary of the car's date of first registration in England, Scotland and Wales, and by the fourth anniversary in Northern Ireland. After that, an MOT is needed every 12 months for as long as the car is used on the road.
Can I get my first MOT early?
Yes. You can take the test up to one month minus one day before the due date and keep the same renewal date. A car due on 14 November 2026 can be tested from 15 October 2026 without losing any time.
Do I get a reminder for my first MOT?
You can sign up for the free GOV.UK MOT reminder service, which sends a text or email one month before a car, van or motorcycle MOT is due. In Northern Ireland the DVA sends a reminder asking you to book a test.
Is the first MOT date based on the purchase date?
No. It is based on the date of first registration shown in section B of the V5C logbook. A pre registered or ex demonstrator car may be several months older than your purchase date, so its first MOT comes sooner.
How much does a first MOT cost?
The maximum MOT fee for a car with up to 8 passenger seats is £54.85 in Great Britain, according to GOV.UK. Many garages charge less. The maximum for a 9 to 12 seat private passenger vehicle is £57.30.
What is the fine for driving without an MOT?
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle that needs an MOT without a valid certificate. You may still drive it to a pre arranged MOT test, or to or from a garage for repairs.