Over one in five MOTs carried out between 2023 and 2025 involved a vehicle with an expired MOT certificate.
According to Freedom of Information data obtained by online used-car retailer Cinch, a total of 20.3% of MOTs carried out in that time were conducted on models past their due date. This was equivalent to 25,805,342 expired MOTs.
A further 2.1 million vehicles were tested with expired MOTs during the first three months of 2026 alone, showing millions of vehicles are continuing to be taken for MOT after the legal expiry date has already passed.
While the total number of vehicles taken late for a MOT each year has fallen since 2023, the most serious delays remain a concern. 814,309 vehicles were more than six months overdue in 2025, higher than both 2023 and 2024.
Drivers who continue using a vehicle after its MOT has expired could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. Government guidance says drivers cannot drive or park a vehicle on the road if its MOT has run out, unless they are driving it to or from somewhere to be repaired or to a pre-arranged MOT test.
Drops mask concerns
In 2023, a total of 8.9 vehicles were taken for MOT after their certificate had expired. This was followed by 8.5 million in 2024 and 8.3 million in 2025.
Although the annual total of expired MOTs has fallen slightly, more than 8.3 million vehicles were still taken for MOT after their certificate had run out in each full calendar year analysed. In 2025 alone, this is almost 23,000 overdue MOT tests every day on average.
The data also shows that 2.1 million vehicles were taken test despite an expired MOT between 1 January and 31 March 2026, equivalent to almost 23,800 every day on average.
The data also reveals that many vehicles were not just taken for MOT a few days late.
Between 2023 and 2025, a total of 9.7 million overdue MOT tests were between one and seven days late, while 7.1 million were between eight and 30 days overdue.
However, more than a third of overdue MOTs were more than a month overdue.
Between 2023 and 2025, almost nine million expired MOT records were more than 30 days overdue, including:
- 4.5 million between 31 and 90 days late
- 2.1 million between 91 and 180 days late
- 2.4 million more than 180 days late
This means one in 10 vehicles with an expired MOT were more than six months overdue across the three-year period.
The data also shows that the average delay for overdue MOTs increased to 85 days in 2025, up from 79 days in 2023 and 80 days in 2024.
The risks of driving with an expired MOT
Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch, said: “An expired MOT should never be treated as a minor admin issue. Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and the safety risks are just as important.
“Delaying the test could mean issues with tyres, brakes, lights, suspension or emissions go unchecked. Even if a car feels fine to drive, faults can develop gradually and may not always be obvious until the vehicle is properly inspected.
“An expired MOT can also create issues with vehicle tax. If a vehicle’s tax is due to expire, drivers cannot renew it while the MOT has expired. This means the vehicle would need to pass its MOT and be taxed again before it can be legally used on the road.”
The information shows the need for garages to keep drivers informed of their MOT date, as it appears more are forgetting this essential routine inspection. By keeping in touch with drivers, not only are you showing commitment to them, but also helping to improve road safety. Every driver brought in for a test due to a reminder message equals one less dangerous vehicle on UK roads.
