Early MOT in Northern Ireland?

[Carnmore]

Is there any way of getting a car MOT'd before it's due in N.Ireland (car is 3.5 years old and not due until 4 years old)?

[Buggyjam]

I thought you just booked it in using the online system as per anytime?

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/book-motvehic...

[Carnmore]

I've been told it's a maximum of 28 days before the 4th anniversary of registration. Can't find an answer online.

[Buggyjam]

Carnmore said:

I've been told it's a maximum of 28 days before the 4th anniversary of registration. Can't find an answer online.

I thought that’s for a different reason. Have to double check...

I’m guessing that would be to keep the validity of the current certificate so that the 12 months runs from the date of the previous expiration?

You can mot a vehicle anytime I understood

[Buggyjam]

Scrap the above! Found it. You’re right. In NI you can’t legally mot a vehicle more than 28 days early. You can in Great Britain it seems. It’s the bit about “when to apply for an mot”

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/what-mot-sche...

[Carnmore]

Buggyjam said:

Scrap the above! Found it. You’re right. In NI you can’t legally mot a vehicle more than 28 days early. You can in Great Britain it seems. It’s the bit about “when to apply for an mot”

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/what-mot-sche...

Thank you!

[Bravo147]

I read it as you can test up to 28 days before due date and get your mot dated from the due date ie 1yr plus up to 28 days. Earlier than 28 days then mot runs 1 yr from that date. Doesn't say you cannot test more than 28 days before due date. Also says you can apply up to 3mths beofre the due date.


'A vehicle can be tested up to 28 days before the current vehicle test certificate is due to expire. These early days can then be added onto the certificate
expiry date, so that you still get a certificate which is valid for a full year from the current date of expiry. For example, if the current certificate was due to
expire on 1 April 2014, and the vehicle passed on or after 4 March 2014, the certificate would run from the date of the test until 1 April 2015.

However, if a vehicle is tested more than 28 days before the current vehicle test certificate is due to expire, this time cannot be added on, and therefore
you will be issued with a certificate which is valid for one year from the date of the test'.

[Carnmore]

Bravo147 said:

I read it as you can test up to 28 days before due date and get your mot dated from the due date ie 1yr plus up to 28 days. Earlier than 28 days then mot runs 1 yr from that date. Doesn't say you cannot test more than 28 days before due date. Also says you can apply up to 3mths beofre the due date.


'A vehicle can be tested up to 28 days before the current vehicle test certificate is due to expire. These early days can then be added onto the certificate
expiry date, so that you still get a certificate which is valid for a full year from the current date of expiry. For example, if the current certificate was due to
expire on 1 April 2014, and the vehicle passed on or after 4 March 2014, the certificate would run from the date of the test until 1 April 2015.

However, if a vehicle is tested more than 28 days before the current vehicle test certificate is due to expire, this time cannot be added on, and therefore
you will be issued with a certificate which is valid for one year from the date of the test'.

"If a vehicle is being tested for the first time, for example, on the fourth anniversary of its registration, it legally cannot be tested more than 28 days early."

[stevieturbo]

Buggyjam said:

Scrap the above! Found it. You’re right. In NI you can’t legally mot a vehicle more than 28 days early. You can in Great Britain it seems. It’s the bit about “when to apply for an mot”

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/what-mot-sche...

Bullst...you could put your car through the test every day if you wanted to. But if you do so it will only be valid for 12 months thereafter ( even though it's actually a worthless piece of paper as soon as you leave the test centre )

If you MOT up to 28 days before the existing test cert expiring, you'd get a full year plus whatever number of days before.

[stevieturbo]

Carnmore said:

"If a vehicle is being tested for the first time, for example, on the fourth anniversary of its registration, it legally cannot be tested more than 28 days early."

That'll be one do note and show if the DVA wkers ever try and force you to a roadside MOT check in such a car.