Wondering what an MOT certificate looks like, or what all the boxes actually mean? A pass certificate records your vehicle details, test result, mileage, defects and advisories, along with the date your MOT expires.
One important change is worth knowing before we go any further. The electronic MOT record is now the definitive record of the test. You can check a vehicle’s MOT history and download certificates free through GOV.UK, so a piece of paper is no longer the only proof of the result.
MOT test certificate and result
The first thing to look for is the result.
If the vehicle passes, its result is recorded in the MOT database. The familiar pass document is known as a VT20 MOT test certificate. DVSA’s current guidance says a printed certificate must be provided in certain circumstances and whenever the customer requests one.
A failed test is different. A VT30 is the refusal of an MOT test certificate. A vehicle fails when the test records one or more major or dangerous defects. You may also see minor defects and advisory items recorded alongside them.
So, in plain English:
VT20 = the vehicle passed.
VT30 = the vehicle did not pass, or in certain circumstances the test was refused, abandoned or aborted.
If your car fails at Windmill Garage, our free MOT re-test applies to Class IV vehicles that fail first time with us. We will explain what has failed and what needs doing before anything goes ahead.
Vehicle details
Next, check that the certificate actually belongs to the vehicle in front of you.
The MOT record identifies the vehicle using details such as its registration number and Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN. If you are looking at the certificate after your own MOT, it is worth giving these details a quick check rather than folding the sheet into the glovebox and forgetting about it.
If you are buying a used car, checking the MOT history online is more useful than relying on a paper certificate supplied by the seller. The official service lets you search using the registration number and see the vehicle’s recorded MOT history.
MOT test number, test date and expiry date
The certificate records the individual MOT test and when it took place. It also tells you when the current MOT expires.
That expiry date is the one to put in the diary.
For most cars in Great Britain, the first MOT is required by the third anniversary of registration and another MOT is then normally required every year. There are exceptions for some vehicles, so check the official record if you are unsure.
You can also sign up for free GOV.UK MOT reminders. For cars, vans and motorcycles, the reminder is sent one month before the MOT is due.
MOT defects: dangerous, major and minor
This is the part of the certificate that tells you what the tester found.
MOT defects are divided into categories according to their seriousness.
Dangerous defects
A dangerous defect means the vehicle presents an immediate risk to road safety or has a serious environmental impact. It results in an MOT failure.
Do not assume an existing, unexpired MOT means you can carry on driving after a dangerous defect has been found. GOV.UK says you cannot take the vehicle away until the dangerous problems have been repaired.
Major defects
A major defect also causes an MOT failure. It is something that may affect the safety of the vehicle, put other road users at risk or have an environmental impact.
If the vehicle has failed with a major defect, check the rules before driving it away. GOV.UK says you can take a failed vehicle away only if its existing MOT is still valid and no dangerous defects were recorded. The vehicle must still be roadworthy.
Minor defects
A minor defect does not cause the vehicle to fail its MOT.
It still deserves attention. Minor means it was not serious enough to fail the test at that point, not that it should live on the certificate forever.
Advisory items
Advisories normally appear with the defect information on a certificate where the tester has recorded them. They are things the tester has noticed that do not meet the threshold for an MOT defect but may need monitoring or attention.
An advisory does not mean your car has failed. It is more of an early warning.
That makes advisories useful for planning maintenance. A tyre, suspension component or other part showing deterioration may be fine today but worth keeping an eye on before it becomes a larger job or a failure next year.
We have a separate guide explaining how to make practical use of them:
https://www.windmillgarage.co.uk/mot/mot-advisory-notes-explained-use-them-to-save-money/
The useful bit is not simply whether your car has advisories. Look at whether the same issue keeps appearing from one MOT to the next. That tells you rather more.
Odometer reading and mileage history
Your MOT record includes the mileage recorded from the vehicle’s odometer when it was tested.
This becomes particularly useful when you look at several years together. GOV.UK’s free MOT history service shows the mileage recorded at past tests, allowing you to see how the readings have changed over time. For cars, motorcycles and vans, MOT results are available through the service for tests carried out since 2005.
If you are buying a used car, look down that mileage history rather than checking only the latest figure. A reading that suddenly drops or does not make sense against earlier tests deserves a question.
An unusual reading does not automatically prove anything is wrong. Instrument clusters can be replaced and recording errors can happen. It is simply something to investigate rather than ignore.
MOT test centre and tester details
The certificate also identifies the MOT test and the testing station responsible for it.
These details form part of the official test record. DVSA’s guidance also requires the tester to check the content of a printed certificate for accuracy and sign it when applicable.
If you spot an error after your test, contact the testing station rather than simply changing the paper copy yourself. There are formal procedures for correcting MOT records, and some corrections can only be made within set time limits.
How to check an MOT certificate is genuine for free
Do not rely on the paper certificate alone, particularly when buying a used vehicle.
Use the official GOV.UK MOT history service:
Check a vehicle’s MOT history on GOV.UK
Enter the vehicle’s registration number and you can see whether it passed or failed previous tests, the mileage recorded at each test, when the next MOT is due and recorded defects or minor problems. You can also download copies of current and previous MOT certificates.
The service is free.
DVSA specifically recommends checking the vehicle’s MOT history if you are unsure whether an MOT certificate is genuine.
Do you still need to keep the paper MOT certificate?
The paper copy is useful, but the electronic record is the important one.
DVSA updated its MOT guidance to make clear that the electronic record is the legal record of the test. If you lose your paper certificate, you can obtain a duplicate certificate free online through the GOV.UK MOT history service.
So there is no need to panic if the certificate has disappeared into the same mysterious place as the spare key and that receipt you definitely put somewhere safe.
What should you do after reading your MOT certificate?
If the car passed without anything noted, there may be nothing further to do beyond keeping up with normal servicing and maintenance.
If it has minor defects or advisories, read them properly and decide what needs attention now and what can reasonably be monitored. That is exactly what advisories are useful for.
If an MOT is coming up, a few simple checks beforehand can also catch some straightforward problems. Our 15-point DIY MOT checklist covers the things you can sensibly inspect at home:
And if you are unsure what something on your certificate means, ask us. We would rather explain one line properly than have you guessing at it.
MOT certificate FAQs
What does an MOT certificate look like?
It is a fairly plain document showing the MOT result and the information recorded for that test, including vehicle details, dates, mileage and any defects or advisories. DVSA publishes official sample VT20 certificates on GOV.UK.
What is the difference between VT20 and VT30?
VT20 refers to an MOT test certificate following a pass. VT30 is a refusal of an MOT test certificate and is used for failed tests and certain other circumstances where a certificate is refused.
Where are MOT advisories shown?
Advisory items are recorded with the MOT result and can appear on the certificate alongside any defects. You can also see recorded MOT history through the GOV.UK service.
Can I check someone else’s MOT certificate?
You can check a vehicle’s MOT history using its registration number. This shows previous pass and fail results and recorded mileage. Some additional information, such as where tests were carried out, requires the 11-digit number from the V5C log book.
Can I get a replacement MOT certificate?
Yes. You can download copies of current and previous MOT certificates through the GOV.UK MOT history service, and DVSA guidance confirms vehicle owners can obtain a duplicate online free of charge.
Does an MOT pass mean the car is roadworthy for the whole year?
No. An MOT records the vehicle’s condition against the test requirements at the time it was tested. You are still responsible for keeping the vehicle roadworthy afterwards. A fresh certificate is not twelve months of immunity from worn tyres, failed bulbs or anything else the family car comes up with.
Book your MOT or service in under a minute
If your MOT is due, or your last certificate has given you something to sort before the next one, we can take a look and tell you plainly what needs doing.
Book online any time at https://www.windmillgarage.co.uk/book-in-your-car/ or call us on 02392 571003 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–5pm).