Family Driven Since 1925
The MOT test (Ministry of Transport, or simply MOT) is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions required in the United Kingdom for most vehicles over three years old.
We have been conducting MOT's in Marlow since the test was introduced in the 1960's.
The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.
During the MOT, important parts on your vehicle will be checked to make sure they meet the legal standards.
Items such as the windscreen, wipers and exhaust systems are tested for condition and operation. Windscreen wipers will fail the test if they do not adequately clear the windscreen when used in conjunction with the washers.
The exhaust system, in addition to checks on its condition and security, is tested to ascertain whether it is obviously louder than another vehicle of the same make and model with a standard exhaust system fitted.
Dismantling of any part of the vehicle during the MOT test is strictly against test regulations.
As the MOT is only an inspection for road-worthiness at the time of test, the inspection of most accessories is not included. One exception is tow bars: their condition and their attachment to the vehicle is now included in the MOT.
You can read more about what's tested for cars on the VOSA website
You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:
We automatically provide a FREE MOT reminder service to our existing customers.
If you would like your vehicle added to this service, simply click the button and complete the form
An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is printed on your current MOT pass certificate.
You can have an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and still keep the same renewal date. For example - if your MOT runs out on May 24th, you can get an MOT carried out from April 25th and still keep May 24th as the renewal date for next year.
This gives you plenty of time to resolve any failure items before the current MOT certificate runs out.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
You can get an MOT done earlier, but the renewal date for the following year will change to one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle passes the MOT.
We are an approved MOT test station authorised to carry out tests on Class IV vehicles, which include:
You can watch the test from our viewing area, BUT you're not allowed to interrupt our MOT tester.
Your vehicle will either pass, or fail, the MOT.
You'll get an MOT certificate and it will be recorded in the national MOT database.
You might also get a list of 'minor' or 'advisory' problems to monitor, or fix, in the future.
An MOT test certificate confirms that at the time of test, the vehicle has met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards
If your vehicle fails the MOT, you'll get a refusal of an MOT test certificate which lists the reasons for the failure.
We are always happy to explain the reason(s) for the failure, and give you FREE advice on the best course of action.
You can take your vehicle away if your current MOT certificate is still valid and no 'dangerous' problems were listed on the MOT failure. Otherwise, you'll need to get it repaired before you can drive it.
If you can take your vehicle away, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times. You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT because of a 'dangerous' problem.
You cannot drive your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.
The only exceptions are to drive it: