How to Download an MOT Certificate

If your car is older than three years, you have to get an MOT test every year to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive on the road and meets the environmental standards set by the government.

An MOT certificate serves as a proof of this test and is required for various purposes like renewing car tax, insuring your vehicle and selling it.

Except for a few particular conditions, it's even illegal to drive your car with no MOT.

You generally don't need a physical certificate, though. Everything today is digitised.

But, if you want to have the physical copy on hand, you can easily download and print a copy of your MOT certificate from the official government website.

What is an MOT certificate?

An MOT certificate is a document that confirms your vehicle has passed its annual MOT test and is roadworthy. It also lists any defects or advisories found during the test in three categories:

• Minor defects (e.g., low brake fluid) are reported but do not affect the safety or environmental performance of the vehicle. You cannot fail your MOT no matter how many of these items are found.
• Major defects (e.g., tyre tread depth below 1.6mm) can lead to a dangerous driving situation or have an impact on the environment. These will cause an MOT failure.
• Dangerous defects (e.g., faulty steering) pose an immediate risk to the driver, passengers and other road users. The car cannot be driven until they are fixed.

The certificate also contains your car's registration number, make and model, date of expiry for the current MOT, and a unique reference number.

Why would I need to download an MOT certificate?

These days, everything is digitised. The UK government websites and systems are very informative and user-friendly. And they all share data.

This means that there is no reason to have a physical MOT certificate as a proof of your car's roadworthiness and expiry date. If you're stopped by a police officer, for example, they'll already know whether your car is taxed, insured and has a valid MOT (or meets the MOT exemption rules) based on your number plate.

You also don't need the certificate to tax your car or renew your insurance.

However, there are still some cases when you may need to have a physical copy of your MOT certificate, such as:

• Selling your car: Anyone can use our free MOT checker tool to check the MOT status of any car, simply by entering the registration number (number plate). But if you want to give potential buyers an added level of convenience, you can show them a printed copy of the MOT certificate.
• Insurance purposes: Some insurance companies might require a copy of your MOT certificate when you apply for or renew your insurance policy. Having a downloadable copy allows you to provide this proof easily.
• Buying a car: If you are buying a used car older than three years, having access to a current MOT certificate reassures you of the vehicle’s condition, maintenance history, and legal status.
• Dealing with an accident: It helps to have the paper or digital certificate handy when you need the exact MOT information when filing an insurance claim. Not having it could affect your claim.

Even in these instances, a digital copy will suffice. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has formally annouced that from 29 April 2024, they will no longer print MOT pass certificates after passing your test. Everything will be 100% digital.

You don’t always need an MOT certificate to sell your car. We’ve bought more than 130,000 cars, thousands of which didn’t have a valid MOT. Whether you have one or not, you can get an instant scrap car quote today.

Downloading your MOT certificate online

If you need to present it for legal or transactional purposes but can't find the one for your records, downloading a copy of your MOT certificate from the official government website is a convenient way to replace it.

The steps are simple:

1. Go to the official UK government website service: Replace a lost or damaged MOT certificate.
2. Enter your vehicle's registration number and the 11-digit reference number located inside your V5C logbook.
3. Confirm the vehicle's details and proceed to request a replacement MOT certificate.
4. View the certificate and your vehicle test history.
5. Once the certificate is generated, you will have the option to download it as a PDF. Save this document to your device for easy access. You may also want to print a copy for physical records.

While on the website, consider setting up MOT reminders via email or text as well. That way, you'll know well in advance of your MOT due date. This'll help you avoid missing future tests and the need for last-minute certificate downloads.

Is there a fee to download an MOT certificate?

In the past, the only option for getting a new MOT certificate was to request it from your local MOT test centre. The garage would replace it for you and charge you £10 for the service.

Now, the DVLA's online service is completely free of charge. You can download the MOT certificate and print it as many times as you need.

How long does it take to download an MOT certificate?

Downloading an MOT certificate is a quick process. With a stable internet connection, entering your vehicle details and downloading the PDF file takes 2 to 5 minutes.

As long as you have your vehicle's registration number and the 11-digit V5C reference number ready, the process will proceed smoothly.

Occasionally, the DVLA website might experience delays or maintenance issues. Under normal conditions, you can complete the download almost immediately after entering the required information.

Can I download a previous year's MOT certificate?

When you go to access your current (or most recent) MOT certificate, you'll also be able to see your full MOT history. This includes any previous certificates and test results. That's about all the proof you need to communicate your car's condition to someone else.

What should I do if I can't download my MOT certificate?

If you encounter issues while trying to download your MOT certificate, here are steps you can take:

1. Check your internet connection. A poor or unstable connection will cause interruptions during the download process.
2. Double-check you have entered the correct vehicle registration number and the 11-digit V5C logbook reference number. Errors in these details will prevent you from accessing the certificate.
3. Try a different browser. Sometimes, browser-related issues can cause problems. Try downloading the certificate using a different web browser (e.g., switch from Chrome to Firefox) to see if that resolves the issue.
4. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Accumulated data can sometimes interfere with website functionality. After clearing the cache, try to download the certificate again.
5. Check the GOV.UK website status. Occasionally, the GOV.UK website may undergo maintenance or experience technical difficulties. Visit the website's service status page or try again later if the site is temporarily down.
6. Reach out to DVSA support. If you’ve tried the above steps and still can’t download your MOT certificate, the DVSA can offer guidance or issue the certificate through alternative means

Are online MOT certificates valid for legal use?

For all official purposes in the UK, digital certificates are equivalent to the paper versions issued at the time of the MOT test.

The digital MOT certificate is recognized by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and can be used as proof of your vehicle's MOT status during police stops, when registering a vehicle, or when required by other legal entities.

Insurance companies also accept the online MOT certificate as valid documentation for renewing or obtaining insurance. The certificate verifies your vehicle meets the required safety standards.

When selling your car, the online MOT certificate will be enough to demonstrate that the vehicle has passed its MOT test. It's actually the document companies like HPI® Check use in their vehicle history checks.

Can I download an MOT certificate for any vehicle?

In the UK, you can download an MOT certificate for any vehicle, but only if you have access to the vehicle's registration number and the 11-digit V5C logbook reference number.

Since the V5C logbook is a legal document drivers keep in the vehicle, this means you will only be able to (legally and ethically) access the 11-digit number if you're the registered keeper or the registered keeper grants your permission to use it.

The requirement for the V5C reference number ensures that only individuals with a legitimate connection to the vehicle can download its MOT certificate, protecting the vehicle’s information from unauthorized access.

How often do I need to download a new MOT certificate?

Realistically, you won't need to download a new MOT certificate at all unless you're selling the vehicle or need proof of its MOT status for legal purposes.

Otherwise, simply maintaining your car's MOT status by taking it to a local MOT garage for annual testing will suffice.

What format will my downloaded MOT certificate be in?

The downloadable MOT certificates via the DVLA website are available in PDF format. This ensures that the document can be easily viewed and printed by anyone with a compatible device.

PDF files are also secure, meaning they cannot be edited or altered without leaving visible traces of changes made. This helps to prevent fraud or tampering with the certificate's information.

Can I print the MOT certificate after downloading it?

Of course! Once you have successfully downloaded the MOT certificate and saved it on your device, you can print it as many times as needed. You can also email it to yourself or others for safekeeping or sharing purposes.

By downloading and keeping a digital copy of your MOT certificate, you can avoid missing future tests and the need for last-minute certificate downloads. It's always best to stay organized and prepared for any situation that might arise regarding your vehicle's MOT status.

Final thoughts

While you won't need the MOT certificate for everyday use, it's sometimes helpful to have a valid and readily accessible copy at all times. With the convenience of downloading it from the DVLA website (and the fact that it's free), there is no excuse for not having a copy on hand when needed.