With busy lives and rising motoring costs, it can be easy to let your MOT slip. But driving without a valid MOT isn’t just illegal – it can put your safety, your finances and other road users at serious risk.

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), driving without a valid MOT can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and can invalidate your insurance. Despite this, Halfords have found that one million vehicles on UK roads don’t have a valid MOT. Younger drivers are most likely to skip tests, often due to cost or simply forgetting.

Booking your MOT on time or using services that include reminders and discounts can help you stay road legal and safe.

Is it illegal to drive without an MOT?

Yes, in most circumstances. An MOT is a legal requirement for vehicles over three years old and confirms your car meets minimum road safety and environmental standards.

You can only drive without an MOT if you’re travelling directly to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs following a failed test and the vehicle must still be roadworthy or if your vehicle is less than three years old.

What happens if you’re caught driving without an MOT?

If you’re stopped by police or caught via vehicle databases, you could face:

  • A fine of up to £1,000
  • Your vehicle being recorded as unroadworthy
  • Enforcement action if the car is unsafe

While penalty points aren’t automatic, they can apply if the vehicle is deemed dangerous. You can also receive fines of up to £2,500 plus 3 penalty points per defect.

Does driving without an MOT invalidate insurance?

It can, and this is one of the biggest financial risks.

Without a valid MOT:

  • Your insurance policy may be invalid
  • Claims could be refused
  • You could be liable for all repair and injury costs

Even a minor accident could become extremely expensive.

How many cars are driving without an MOT?

More than many drivers realise. Recent research found:

  • Over one million vehicles on UK roads don’t have a valid MOT
  • 3% of motorists admit skipping their MOT in the past year
  • This equates to roughly 1.2 million vehicles

This highlights a significant road safety concern nationwide.

Which drivers are most likely to skip their MOT?

Younger motorists are the most at risk. Research shows:

  • Gen Z drivers are four times more likely to skip an MOT than older generations
  • 6% of Gen Z admit to missing a test in the past 12 months
  • London drivers are also significantly more likely to delay their MOT

This may be linked to financial pressure and lower awareness of legal risks.

Why do drivers delay or skip their MOT?

There are several common reasons:

  • Forgetting the due date (36%)
  • The cost of the MOT itself (27%)
  • Wider motoring expenses (25%)
  • Fear of unexpected repair bills

With 42% of motorists concerned about affording their next MOT, cost-of-living pressures are a major factor. However, delaying your MOT or repairs can lead to more serious issues and further costs further down the line.

How to check your MOT status

You can check your MOT expiry date and history for free via the government website. Simply enter your vehicle registration number.

What safety issues does an MOT check for?

An MOT assesses whether your vehicle is safe to be on the road.

Common failure points include:

  • Tyres below legal tread depth
  • Brake wear or faults
  • Broken or dim lights
  • Suspension problems
  • Wipers and visibility issues

Many failures are inexpensive to fix but dangerous if ignored. Read our dedicated article for a full list of

How can you make your MOT more affordable?

Halfords Motoring Club

With the Halfords Motoring Club, you get your MOT included with Premium membership, so you know you’re covered! You’ll also get an additional 5% off across all motoring products and services, as well as two 10 Point Car Checks included – perfect for spotting any potential issues before they become bigger problems!

You’ll even get reminders when your MOT is due, so there’s no excuse!

Book your MOT & service together

You can save up to 50% off your MOT when you book it with a service. Your appointments don’t even have to be on the same day.

Flexible finance options

We know that maintaining your car can sometimes come with unexpected costs. To help make payments more manageable, we offer flexible ways to pay.

Payment Assist

With Payment Assist, our customers have the option to spread the cost of qualifying purchases over £99:

  • Pay 10% upfront
  • Split the remaining balance across 3 equal monthly payments
  • 0% APR

Klarna and Clearpay

We also offer flexible finance options for smaller purchases.

For spends over £30, you can choose to Pay in 4 with Clearpay at 0% APR – available in-store, online and in our garages.

Prefer a different option? With Klarna, you can Pay in 30 days or Pay in 3 instalments, giving you extra flexibility at checkout.

All our options are simply another way to manage the cost of essential car services, helping you keep your vehicle safe and roadworthy.

Don’t risk driving without an MOT

Driving without an MOT may feel like a short-term saving, but it can lead to:

  • Legal fines
  • Invalid insurance
  • Safety risks
  • Higher long-term repair costs

Booking your MOT on time and never neglecting repairs is the safest and most cost-effective option.