The majority of cars over three years old that are used on public roads in the United Kingdom must pass a MOT test, or Ministry of Transport test. An annual inspection is performed to ensure that cars are safe, satisfy minimum legal requirements for exhaust emissions, and are roadworthy.

It should be reminded that although while the certificate is good for a year, this does not guarantee that the car will continue to be safe to drive during that time. As the vehicle's owner, you must see to MOT while you wait Worthing that you do routine maintenance examinations and have the vehicle routinely maintained by a trustworthy business.

It is extremely important to make a note of when the certificate expires so that adequate time is allowed to have the vehicle retested and a new MOT certificate issued. This can be done within the last month before expiration. You should be aware that if you fail to produce a valid MOT test certificate, it is a legal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and currently carries a maximum fine of £1,000 Although penalty points will not be added to your driving license, driving without a valid MOT certificate will invalidate your insurance policy, and you would therefore find yourself liable to pay for any damages if you were involved in a road traffic accident. This could easily result in paying out thousands of pounds if other cars are involved.

Sometimes a car can fail an MOT test. This can be for something as simple as a broken headlamp. The MOT test center will issue you with a 'Notification of Failure'. Until the issue is rectified, the car is only able to be driven to a garage where you have already booked an appointment to have the repairs carried out or back to the MOT test appointment. The vehicle will need to be retested at the same test center that carried out the first test before a certificate can be issued.

Before purchasing a second-hand vehicle, it is advised that you check the MOT history of that particular vehicle. These are held on the central MOT database, and there are various websites that can link you to this information. Using the vehicle registration, you will be able to view the date of the last MOT along with the mileage at the test date. From November 2012, all certificates issued after this date have to show the recorded mileage at the current test as well as the previous three tests. It will be shown as 'Odometer reading and history' on the certificate. This greatly helps reduce vehicle crime, and you can use this information to check that the car you are planning to buy isn't showing a false mileage reading.