Reporting a Vehicle Without MOT — What to Report and To Whom
Seeing a car without a valid MOT being driven on public roads is a traffic safety issue. Here is what you should know about the law, when to report, and how to make a report to police.
Is Driving Without an MOT Illegal?
Yes. Driving any car without a valid MOT certificate is a criminal offense in the UK. The only exceptions are: cars under 3 years old (before their first MOT is due) and vehicles with SORN status (not driven on public roads).
MOT certificates are valid for 12 months. If the certificate has expired, the car must not be driven on a public road until a new MOT has been passed.
Penalties for Driving Without MOT
Driving without a valid MOT carries severe penalties:
- £100 fixed penalty notice — issued immediately by police
- £1,000 fine — if prosecuted in magistrates' court
- £2,500 fine — if prosecuted in crown court (repeat offenders or serious cases)
- 3 penalty points — added to the driver's license
- Vehicle impound — police can seize and remove the vehicle
- Insurance invalidated — claims may be denied; coverage is void
When Should You Report a Vehicle?
Report a vehicle if you observe it being actively driven on a public road without:
- A valid MOT certificate
- Valid vehicle tax (road tax)
- Valid insurance
If a car is parked and not being driven, it is not an immediate safety risk (though it is still illegal to have expired MOT/tax). However, if you observe it being driven repeatedly, report it.
How to Report a Vehicle
Method 1: Police (Non-Emergency Number)
Call 101 (non-emergency police number) and provide:
- Full registration number (e.g., AB66 MKL)
- Location where you saw it being driven (or registration address if known)
- Date and time of sighting
- Description of vehicle (make, model, colour)
- Details of the driver if safely possible
Police will check the DVLA database to confirm MOT/tax status and may dispatch officers to stop the vehicle.
Method 2: DVLA Online Report
Visit the DVLA website and look for the "Report a motoring concern" or "Report a vehicle" section. Provide the registration number and details. The DVLA forwards the report to the relevant police force.
Method 3: In-Person Report
Visit your local police station and report the vehicle. Bring the registration number and any other details you have.
What About Vehicles Without Insurance or Tax?
The same reporting channels apply. Vehicles without insurance, tax, and MOT all fall under the same category and are all serious offenses with similar penalties.
In fact, many uninsured vehicles also have lapsed MOT and tax, so reporting one issue often uncovers others.
Can You Check a Vehicle's MOT Status?
Yes. You can check any UK vehicle's MOT status for free via:
- DVSA website — enter the registration to see full MOT history and current status
- VEHIXA — instant lookup shows MOT status, tax status, insurance status, and full history
If a vehicle shows as having no valid MOT, it should not be driven on public roads.
What if the Driver Gives an Excuse?
There are very limited exceptions. The only valid reasons for driving without MOT are:
- Driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment — the appointment must be booked in advance, and the car is driven directly to the garage
- Driving to a retest after a failure — to complete the retest at the same or different garage
- Driving a newly purchased car home — only on the day of purchase, and not the following day
Driving to a garage "to get the MOT done next week" is not valid. The appointment must be the same day.
Bottom Line
If you observe a vehicle being driven without a valid MOT, report it to police (101) or DVLA. Provide the registration number and location. It is a public safety issue and helps keep unroadworthy vehicles off the road.