Nearly 2.9 million MOTs were overdue between 2022 and 2024. Check when yours is due with our MOT checker.
Key takeaways:
- Freedom of Information data from the DVSA and DVA shows nearly 2.9 million MOTs were overdue between 2022 and 2024.
- In a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK drivers for Confused.com (10 to 14 October 2025), 20% said they’d missed an MOT. Of those, 46% said they forgot the date.
- Drive without a valid MOT and you could be fined up to £1,000, though most people get a £100 fixed penalty.
- An expired MOT could affect your insurance, so check your policy. Want a nudge? Get free reminders from the GOV.UK MOT reminder service, or set them up in the Confused.com app.
Which part of the UK is the worst for overdue MOTs?
New research from Confused.com shows nearly 2.9 million MOTs were overdue between 2022 and 2024. An overdue MOT doesn’t always mean an unsafe car, but it does mean nobody’s checked.
We got this data through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland. Some vehicles may appear more than once.
Around 791,000 MOTs were overdue in 2024 alone. Here's a breakdown of overdue MOT tests between 2022 and 2024:
| Region | No. Overdue MOTs | Average Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
|
South East
|
433,251
|
73%
|
|
East of England
|
328,005
|
74.10%
|
|
North West
|
317,798
|
72.70%
|
|
West Midlands
|
325,921
|
73.50%
|
|
London
|
277,745
|
78.20%
|
|
East Midlands
|
268,621
|
72.50%
|
|
Yorkshire & the Humber
|
240,771
|
71.80%
|
|
South West
|
260,739
|
67.30%
|
|
Scotland
|
200,397
|
69.60%
|
|
Wales
|
150,993
|
70.30%
|
|
North East
|
62,571
|
70.80%
|
There are clear regional differences in overdue MOTs. Drivers in the Southeast have the highest number of overdue MOTs, followed by the East of England and the Northwest.
In England, London had the highest average pass rate (78%) and the South West had the lowest (67%). Northern Ireland had the highest pass rate overall, at 81.5%
Why do people miss their MOT?
Many people are simply missing their MOT test date because they forgot it.
Of the 1 in 5 drivers (20%) who admitted missing an MOT, 46% said they forgot the date.
7% of drivers who missed an MOT couldn’t get an appointment in time. You can still drive to a pre-booked test if your car’s roadworthy.
How can I keep track of my MOT?
We’ve got tools to help. Enter your registration in our MOT checker to see when your MOT’s due.
Or you can set up reminders for your MOT in the Confused.com app, plus your tax and car insurance.
Cost is a factor too. Almost 1 in 10 (9%) had to delay their MOT test because of the cost.
Drivers told us they spent £111 on average, including booking fees and repairs.
The cost of living is only getting more expensive, so some motorists might struggle to cover both the initial MOT cost and repairing major faults straight away.
Over 1 in 6 (17%) drivers think MOT tests should be delayed to every 2 years instead of every year to help with the costs. But there are ways to make this more affordable.
Why do cars fail their MOT?
These were the 3 most common reasons for MOT failure in 2022, 2023, and 2024:
| Fault | Risks |
|---|---|
|
Brakes
|
This is a major hazard, drivers could lose control of their car and cause an accident.
|
|
Suspension
|
Drivers could lose control of their vehicle, there's also a risk of skidding or swerving.
|
|
Tyres
|
Worn tread or damage to tyres can reduce grip on the road, particularly in wet or icy conditions.
|
In Northern Ireland, the DVA reported that the highest number of problems were due to:
-
Suspension problems
-
Body chassis
-
Fuel exhaust systems
All of these issues can affect how stable and secure the car is. Problems with the fuel or exhaust can mean the car produces more emissions and reduces the engine's efficiency. This all leads to a failed test.
Our MOT checklist can help you prep your car before its MOT. If you spot issues you can repair them bit by bit, making it more affordable than paying for it all in one go.
What happens if I don't get an MOT?
There's a definite lack of awareness when it comes to the consequences of missing an MOT.
Almost 1 in 4 (24%) people weren't aware of the legal and financial penalties of driving without a valid MOT certificate.
During our research we found that for those who were caught driving without a valid MOT, half said they were fined and 1 in 3 (33%) said they received penalty points on their licence.
If you don't have a valid MOT, you could face a fine of up to £1,000. Usually it's a fixed penalty notice of £100.
If your car is deemed 'dangerous', the fine could increase to £2,500 plus 3 penalty points on your licence.
You could face a 6-month driving ban if you're caught without an MOT twice in a 3-year period.
Points on your licence can increase your car insurance costs. Your car also needs to have a valid MOT certificate as a condition of your insurance. Not having one could invalidate your policy - that means your insurer isn't likely to pay out if you make a claim.
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