Can You Get Car Insurance Without an MOT?
In the UK, it's against the law to drive without a valid MOT. Still, many of us wonder if insurance is possible when Driving Without Mot. Here, we explain how MOT affects insurance, claims, and real-world risks.
So, can you insure a car without MOT? In some cases, yes, but it's rarely simple. You'll face extra checks, fewer choices, and stricter terms from insurers. Many comprehensive policies require a current MOT for full cover, though third-party liability usually still applies by law even if the MOT has expired.
If you have a crash without an MOT, it can feel like no MOT no insurance. Claims may be rejected or dragged out while they judge roadworthiness. The best move is to check your MOT status frequently and schedule your test before it expires.
When You Can Usually Insure or Drive Without an MOT (Infographic)
How MOT Rules Affect Roadworthiness and Insurance Coverage
MOT and Roadworthiness
The MOT is a legal check for cars over three years old in the UK. It looks at safety and emissions to the standards set by the DVSA. A pass doesn't make a car perfect, but it shows basic roadworthiness.
How MOT Links to Insurance
Insurers want proof that your car is safe, so a current MOT helps a lot. Some insurance companies offer insurance without MOT, but it's usually third-party insurance with limits. You can expect more questions, more thorough checks for risk, and stricter policy terms.
Claims and Legal Risks
If you get in an accident without a valid MOT, your cover may be refused or reduced. You are allowed to drive to a pre-booked MOT test, but you must still have valid insurance for that journey.
Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine and further action if the vehicle is unsafe. If you are also uninsured, the police may seize your vehicle and take further action.
Practical Steps
Run a MOT history check and set reminders so you don't miss deadlines. People ask, can you insure a car without tax and MOT? It's rare and full of caveats. The best bet is to keep the MOT current and call your insurer early if it expires.
Why Roadworthiness Matters
Roadworthiness is about the condition of the car—brakes, lights, tyres, and more. A neglected car can be dangerous even with an MOT; if you don't have one, you'll be looked at closely. Before paying a claim, insurers may look at records of service and damage.
When You're Between Tests
If your MOT has expired, only drive directly to a pre-booked test, and carry proof of the booking. Stick to the route, don't detour, and fix dangerous faults before you set off. Call your provider first; note any limits on cover while the test is pending.
Does Your Car Insurance Remain Valid If the MOT Has Expired?
When your MOT runs out, many policies may limit or refuse own-damage cover, though third-party cover usually remains valid under the law. Insurers need your car to be safe, and that's usually proven by a valid MOT. People ask, can you insure car without MOT? For a comprehensive cover, the answer is usually no.
If you drive after the expiry date, you may be breaking MOT rules and could also be in breach of your insurance terms. If you get into an accident or are stopped, you may face both an MOT violation and insurance issues, depending on your policy and the condition of the vehicle. Fines, points, and rejected claims are all possible.
If your MOT has expired and renewal is due, call your insurer and book a test ASAP. Some insurers may renew your policy on the promise that you'll complete the MOT quickly, but it doesn't always happen. Use gov.uk to check your MOT date and always check car insurance to confirm what's covered.
Can you insure your car without an MOT?
Yes, in limited cases you can insure a car without an MOT. There are a few exceptions where an MOT isn't needed. Otherwise, you'll need a valid certificate to stay legal and covered.
New cars under three years old don't need an MOT yet. Insurers can cover them because the law doesn't ask for one. Keep the car roadworthy with regular checks and servicing.
Pre-booked MOT trip: you can drive straight to the test with proof. Insurance must still be active—call your provider to confirm the details. No detours, and fix any obvious faults before setting off.
Classics over 40 years old can skip MOT testing if they have not been substantially changed in the last 30 years. They still must be safe and in good working order to be insured. If you're not exempt, get an MOT first to protect any claim.
Making an Insurance Claim When the Vehicle Has No MOT
When your MOT has expired in the UK, making an insurance claim is harder, but not impossible. Act fast, stay honest, and keep tidy records to show you acted responsibly from the start.
Check Safety First
After a bump or a crash, get to a safe spot, switch on hazard lights, and check for injuries. If you need to, call 999 and write down the time, location, and damage you can see. If the car won't drive safely, don't force it; arrange for it to be towed instead.
Tell Your Insurer Early
Phone your insurer as soon as you can and open a claim. Share photos, dashcam clips, and witness details, plus your policy number. Write down the claim reference and who you spoke to.
Be Open About the MOT
Explain why the MOT expired and whether a test was pre-booked. Show proof of the reservation, recent service records, and any repair bills. This helps them figure out if the car was safe to drive at the time of the accident.
Follow Their Process
They may request inspections, forms, or a visit to an approved repairer. Send documents quickly and keep copies of everything you submit. Slow replies can delay decisions or weaken your case.
The assessor weighs evidence, policy terms, and traffic laws. Some claims are paid, some reduced, and some refused outright.
Accidents Involving Drivers Without a Valid MOT — What You Need to Know
If a driver hits you without a valid MOT, don't panic. Your insurer can still pursue the other driver's insurer for third-party losses. Even if their policy is shaky, third-party payouts shouldn't be refused.
Expect more questions and a slower process while liability is checked. Report the crash right away and share photos, details provided by witnesses, and video clips from your dashcam. Let your insurance company handle the negotiations; don't make any other side deals or pay cash on the spot.
If their insurer won't pay, responsibility falls to the other driver. Your provider may recover costs (repairs, car hire, and more) directly from them. Keep receipts, medical notes, and a simple timeline to back up your claim.
How to Check Your Vehicle's MOT Status Quickly
To check your MOT fast, head to the official gov.uk checker and enter your registration. You'll see your MOT status, expiry date, and past advisories in seconds—no account needed. Take a screenshot and add the date to your calendar so it doesn't slip.
Set up the free MOT reminder service for a text or email about a month before it's due. Prefer a human nudge? Ask your local garage or MOT test centre to put you on their list. Pick whichever reminder you're most likely to actually notice on a busy day. If your date is close, compare nearby garages and book a slot.
While you're checking, consider the question: Can a car be insured without MOT? It's rare and risky. Staying up to date keeps you legal, safer, and saves hassle on insurance and claims.
Penalties and Risks of Driving Without an MOT
Legal Status
Driving without a valid MOT is against the law in the UK. The MOT proves your car meets minimum safety and emissions standards. If it's expired, you're not road-legal and cannot drive on public roads except for a direct trip to a pre-booked test.
Legal Penalties
Police can issue a fine of up to £1,000 if you're caught without an MOT.
Insurance Fallout
Once insurers find out about the gap, premiums may go up, even if the claim proceeds. It might be harder to get future cover, and the terms or limits might be stricter. You could end up personally covering repairs, injuries, and third-party losses.
Financial Knock-ons
Even if a claim proceeds, premiums may rise once insurers spot that the MOT expired. Future cover can be harder to find, with stricter terms or higher excesses. One missed test can turn into years of extra costs you didn't plan for.
Safety Risks
An expired MOT often means missed issues—worn brakes, bald tyres, bad lights. Those faults raise the chance of breakdowns or collisions, especially in bad weather. Keeping the certificate current is really about keeping you and others safe.
How You're Caught & Smart Steps
ANPR cameras and roadside checks flag cars with no MOT in seconds. Please don't risk it: book a test, drive only to the appointment, and carry proof. Set reminders, fix advisories early, and keep service records tidy for peace of mind.
Rules for Driving Without Insurance to an MOT Appointment
You must have valid car insurance to drive anywhere, even to a pre-booked MOT and back. Skip it, and you risk a fixed £300 penalty and six points on your licence. It's simply not worth trying your luck on the way to the test.
In tougher cases, your car can be seized, the fine can be unlimited, and you could be disqualified. Police use ANPR, so checks happen fast—"just this once" isn't a defence. Keep your policy active, and carry proof of the MOT booking in the car.
Continuous Insurance Enforcement means a car must be insured at all times unless it's on SORN. SORN only applies while the vehicle stays off the road; it's not a pass to drive to the garage. If you're heading to an MOT, get insurance for your car first, and go straight to the appointment.
Can You Take a SORN Vehicle to an MOT Test Without Insurance?
Short answer: no. You can't drive a SORN vehicle to an MOT without insurance. SORN only pauses the need for tax and insurance while the car stays off the road. The moment you use a public road—even just to the test—you must be insured.
Here's the safe way: pre-book the MOT, keep proof (email/text), and arrange cover. If your annual policy expires, take out temporary insurance for the test day. Drive straight to the centre and back—no detours—and keep the car roadworthy.
What about tax? You can go untaxed to a pre-booked MOT, but never uninsured. If the car isn't safe or you can't get insurance in time, use a recovery truck. If it fails with dangerous defects, don't drive away; arrange towing instead.
FAQs
Do insurance providers check if you have a valid MOT?
Yes. Insurers can look up your MOT status using your registration on DVSA records, often at quote, renewal, and during claims. An expired MOT signals possible unroadworthiness and can breach policy terms, risking refusals or reduced payouts. Keep your MOT current, and carry proof if you're driving to a pre-booked test.
Can I renew my car tax with only 2 weeks of MOT remaining?
Yes—provided your MOT is valid on the day you tax the car. Two weeks left doesn't stop you from buying 6 or 12 months' tax. But once the MOT expires, you can't re-tax until it passes MOT again. Set reminders so your MOT and tax dates don't clash and leave you stranded.
Can I leave a vehicle without an MOT parked on a public road?
No. You cannot tax a vehicle without a valid MOT (unless exempt), and leaving an untaxed car on the road is an offence. Move it to private property and submit a SORN if it's off the road for a while. ANPR cameras regularly flag vehicles without MOT or tax, leading to fines or seizure.
How long can you insure a car without MOT?
There is no fixed time limit for holding insurance without an MOT certificate. The problem is that many insurers may limit cover, or refuse parts of a claim, if the car's MOT has expired. In the UK, the safest approach is to keep the car off the road and book an MOT as soon as you can.
Can you insure a car without MOT gov uk?
Can I insure a car without mot through gov uk? GOV.UK explains the MOT rules, including when you need a valid MOT and when you can drive to a pre-booked test. It does not approve insurance policies or promise that your cover will stay valid if your MOT has expired.
An insurer may still offer you cover, but they can add terms that require the car to be safe to drive and, where required, to have a current MOT. If your MOT has expired, check your policy wording and call the insurer before you drive.
How long can you insure a car without MOT and tax?
You can insure a car even if it has no tax, but you should keep it off public roads and make a SORN if it is not being used. If you use a car on the road in the UK, it normally needs tax, insurance, and a valid MOT when an MOT is required. You may be able to drive it only to a pre-booked MOT, but you still must have insurance for that trip.
Can you insure a SORN car without MOT?
Yes, you can insure a SORN car in the UK even if it has no current MOT, as long as it is kept off public roads. Some people do this for peace of mind, such as cover for theft, fire, or damage while the car is parked. If you need to take it to an MOT, you must have insurance that covers you to drive on public roads for that trip.
How long can you drive a SORN car to MOT without insurance?
You cannot drive a SORN car on any public road in the UK without insurance, even for a short trip to an MOT. If you cannot get insurance in time, use a recovery truck or trailer instead.
Can I drive my car to MOT without tax?
You may be allowed to drive an untaxed car in the UK only for a pre-booked MOT appointment, and you should go straight there. Keep proof of the booking with you and make sure the car is insured for the journey.
