Do electric cars need MOTs?

Electric vehicle (EV) owners enjoy various exemptions – including road tax, the Congestion Charge, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – recent EV converts may be wondering – do electric cars need an MOT?

The answer is a resounding yes – all types of electric vehicles, whether battery electric cars or hybrid electric cars, require an MOT in the UK – just like petrol and diesel vehicles.

In this blog, we will get into the ins and outs of electric car MOTs, including EV MOT costs, what’s included in an electric car MOT and what the difference is between an EV MOT and an a petrol and diesel MOT.

Do electric cars need an MOT?

Yes – in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, electric cars are subject to the same legal MOT requirements as traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. MOT tests evaluate a vehicle’s roadworthiness, including factors such as brakes, lights, tires, and emissions, so they are essential for any vehicle – whether electric or not. If your electric vehicle fails, you will be unable to drive it on UK roads.

New electric cars: Just like petrol and diesel cars, new electric vehicles are exempt from an MOT for the first three years from the vehicle’s registration date. After this, your electric car will have to undergo a yearly MOT.

Used electric cars: Once the initial three-year period has expired, used electric cars must undergo an annual MOT test. This regular inspection ensures ongoing compliance with safety and environmental standards as the vehicle continues to be used on the road.

How much is an MOT on an electric car?

An electric car MOT cost can vary depending on the garage you visit. As a general rule of thumb, manufacturer garages typically charge more than local independent garages. That said, the cost of a electric car MOT should not exceed the standard MOT fee, which currently stands at £54.85 – whether an electric, petrol or diesel vehicle.

Unfortunately, EV MOTs will be around the same price as a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle MOT – not cheaper, despite fewer parts in an electric car.

Where can I find a test centre that undertakes electric vehicle MOTs?

Any garage should be able to undertake an electric car MOT – they cannot turn you or your electric vehicle away. Additionally, as the volume of electric car sales continues to rise, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any problems when taking your electric vehicle.

If you are wondering where to take your electric car for its MOT, recognised companies are already promoting EV MOTs and servicing, such as Kwik Fit.

Just make sure any garage you visit gives you an MOT test certificate after your EV passes its MOT.

Are there any differences between electric car MOTs and standard MOTs?

What to expect from an electric vehicle MOT:

1. The difference between an ICE MOT and an EV MOT is minimal

Although electric cars have some differences compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the EV MOT process remains largely the same. Essential safety checks on components such as brake pads, discs, seatbelts, and windscreen wipers are still conducted during the MOT. The only significant difference between an MOT for an EV compared to a traditional MOT is that emission and noise tests are not applicable to electric vehicles and are therefore not undertaken during an electric car MOT.

2. The duration of an electric car MOT is typically shorter

Since battery electric cars have fewer moving parts, the duration of an EV MOT is likely to be shorter compared to that of an ICE vehicle. This streamlined process is due to the reduced number of components requiring inspection. Typically, an electric MOT will be 10-15 minutes quicker than a petrol and diesel vehicle MOT.

Maintenance and repair costs for an EV MOT in the UK:

While electric cars generally have lower maintenance and repair costs due to their simpler mechanical systems, some repairs may still be necessary. Issues such as windscreen damage or air conditioning problems may require repairs that are similar to those for petrol and diesel cars.

Conclusion:

All in all, no matter what type of electric car your vehicle is – whether a battery electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle – you are legally required to undergo an MOT. This means popular electric cars, such as Tesla and Nissan EVs, have to complete an MOT test.

Summary:

• Despite exemptions from road tax, the Congestion Charge, and ULEZ charges, electric cars are subject to the same legal obligations as traditional ICE vehicles when it comes to the MOT test – every year, unless new. 
• EV MOT costs vary, but they can’t be more than the maximum £54.85 for a standard MOT – just like petrol, diesel and hydrogen vehicles. Although electric vehicle MOT prices tend to be less than £54.85, so it’s worth shopping around.
• New hybrid and pure electric cars are granted an initial MOT exemption period of three years before an annual MOT is required, while used electric cars – older than three years – require an annual MOT test.
• While the essence of MOTs stays the same whether petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid, electric car MOTs are typically shorter in length as there are fewer parts to check.

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