Why didn’t I get an MOT reminder?
Many drivers assume they will automatically get an MOT reminder, then find out too late that their MOT has expired. Here is why reminders go missing, how to sign up for free official reminders, how to stop them, and how reminders work in Northern Ireland.
Why you might not have received an MOT reminder
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| You never signed up. GOV.UK text and email reminders are opt-in. | Sign up at gov.uk/mot-reminder |
| You recently bought the car. Reminders do not transfer to a new keeper. | Sign up for the vehicle in your own name |
| You changed your phone number or email address. | Unsubscribe the old details and sign up again |
| The email went to spam or junk. | Check junk folders and add the sender to your contacts |
| You live in Northern Ireland. | NI reminders come by post, about 7 weeks before |
| A garage used to remind you and stopped. | Garage reminders are a courtesy, not a legal service |
Whatever the reason, the legal responsibility to keep a valid MOT is always the keeper's. “I didn't get a reminder” is not a defence.
How to set up a free GOV.UK MOT reminder
- Go to gov.uk/mot-reminder.
- Enter the vehicle registration.
- Enter a mobile number or email address.
- Confirm using the link or code you are sent.
Reminders are sent one month before a car, van or motorcycle MOT is due, and two months before a lorry, bus or large trailer test is due. The service is free.
How to view, change or stop MOT reminders
- Email: use the unsubscribe link in any reminder email.
- Text: follow the instructions in the text message. You pay a standard text rate to unsubscribe by text.
- Online: use the GOV.UK reminder service with the registration and the number or email you signed up with.
Unsubscribe when you sell, transfer, scrap or SORN a vehicle, otherwise you will keep getting reminders for a car you no longer have.
MOT reminders in Northern Ireland
The GOV.UK text and email service does not cover Northern Ireland. The DVA sends a reminder letter by post about seven weeks before the MOT is due. Because test slots in Northern Ireland can be booked up well in advance, book as soon as the letter arrives. See our Northern Ireland MOT guide.
A reminder that never depends on email or post
Our MOT reminder tool looks up your vehicle's MOT expiry date and adds it to your phone calendar, with alerts 30 days and 7 days before. It works with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook and most Android calendars. We do not store your details, so there is nothing to unsubscribe from.
MOT reminders for garages and businesses
Garages and fleet managers often want to remind customers or drivers. A simple approach is a shared calendar with one entry per vehicle. Our reminder tool creates a calendar file for each registration, which can be imported into a shared business calendar. For customer reminders, make sure you have permission to contact customers under data protection and marketing rules.
Missed your MOT?
- Check the exact expiry date with our MOT status check.
- Book a test as soon as possible.
- Only drive the car to the booked test or to repairs needed to pass.
- If your tax is due, you will need the new MOT before you can renew it.
Reminders and vehicle tax
MOT reminders and vehicle tax reminders are separate. The DVLA sends a tax reminder (form V11) by post or email when tax is due, but that will not tell you about your MOT. If the MOT expires first, you will not be able to renew the tax, so it is worth tracking both dates together. See our tax and MOT guide.