Why It Pays To Book Your MOT Check Early With Kwik Fit

The 2020 outbreak of Coronavirus has caused confusion and delays across all industries, and vehicle servicing and MOTs are no exception. To ease the struggle during lockdown, MOT tests that were due between 30^th March – 31^st July 2020 were extended by 6 months. However, now that the rules have gone back to normal, a predicted increase in demand could leave some drivers struggling to find appointments if they are not proactive with getting an appointment early.

Book early to beat the rush

The MOT rules returned to normal on the 1st August and as a result it is predicted that September 2020 – January 2021 will be unusually busy for MOT centres across the country. Owners of vehicles that were extended 6 months prior and those which were originally due in these months will now all be looking to book in at the same time, and the Government is now encouraging motorists whose MOT is due from September – November 2020 to book early and beat the rush.

With demand rising in the latter parts of the year, some drivers may find it a struggle to find appointments before their MOT due date. Remember, you can be fined up to £1000 for driving without an MOT so being prepared is vital. It is worth noting that even if your MOT is not due yet, if the police deem your vehicle to be unroadworthy then these fines can still apply, so if you’re unsure about the condition of your vehicle it is wise to book an MOT check even before the new due date.

When to get an MOT

You can check the date for your new MOT with our when is my MOT due tool. If you book your new MOT over a month before your MOT check due date then your renewal date will change to the new date. However, by booking up to a month before, minus one day, then your renewal date will remain the same for next year. For example, if your MOT due date is on the 29^th October 2020, you can get your vehicle MOT tested any date from the 30^th September 2020 and retain your due date for next year which will be 29^nd October 2021, effectively giving you a 13 month MOT certificate. If you complete your test any earlier than 30^th September 2020, your MOT due date will reset to the same date next year.

Is it safe to get an MOT?

We have set a number of measures in place to ensure that we’re doing everything possible to keep our staff and customers safe. Some of these steps include increased cleaning of our centres, staff changing gloves between each vehicle job and requesting that customers wear face masks while visiting. Please also do not visit a centre if you are currently self-isolating or are showing Covid-19 symptoms.

For full details on the steps in place to combat Coronavirus please see our FAQ page and our Coronavirus updates page.

How can I book my MOT?

The quickest and easiest way to book your MOT is online; if you visit our MOT page you can book your MOT by entering your vehicle registration and selecting your nearest centre. If you are not able to book an appointment this way then you can call our MOT hotline on 0330 678 1383, and one of our team will help you find a convenient appointment time.

Before you visit for your MOT, make sure you check out our Pre MOT Checklist for guidance on how to prepare your vehicle and give yourself the best chance of passing first time.