Are Electric Cars Exempt from Annual MOTs?

Electric cars are no less than technologically sophisticated masterpieces of automotive engineering. Aside from their basic function as a mode of transportation, they have little to nothing in common with traditional combustion engine vehicles.

But does this mean that electric cars are exempt from the annual MOTs that must be carried out on their petrol and diesel-powered counterparts?  Can you skip the annual MOT entirely with an EV, or is it still a legal requirement?

Do Electric Cars Need an MOT?

The short answer, unfortunate as it may be, is yes – electric cars need an MOT in the same way as all other cars. The rules are no different, meaning that as soon as an electric vehicle reaches the age of three, it needs to pass an MOT each year to be driven legally on the roads. 

This applies to all standard electric cars across the board, without exception.

How Does an Electric Car MOT Work?

The basic process of conducting an electric car MOT is largely the same as with a standard MOT. This is because most of what takes place during the MOT process focuses on the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicle.

All cars undergoing an MOT are tested in the same basic ways – brakes, lights, steering, seatbelts, handbrake, mirrors, tyres and so on – to ensure they are safe to drive.

The only real difference with an electric vehicle is the way in which the car’s motor and general electrics are inspected.  An electric motor calls for a different testing process than a combustion engine, while assessing the safety of the electronic components in an EV is a more complex and extensive process.

Can all MOT Centres Perform Tests on EVs?

The prevalence of electronic vehicles on UK roads is such that the vast majority of service centres now perform MOTs on EVs. However, some garages still have not adopted the technology needed to work on EVs in the same way as their counterparts.

It is therefore a good idea to phone ahead if planning on taking your car for an MOT as a walk-in service. Letting them know you are bringing an EV in advance is advisable, just in case they have not yet caught up with the EV trend sweeping the UK. 

Does an Electric Car MOT Cost More?

While an EV MOT can in some instances be trickier to perform, the whole thing is subject to the same price as any standard MOT.  A service centre can charge as little as it likes for an MOT and any subsequent retests needed, but under no circumstances can be charged more than £54.85 for an MOT performed on an EV. 

You can shop around to get a better deal, but you’ll usually find most MOT centres charging around the £30 mark. 

And if all doesn’t go quite to plan at the test centre, you can always contact the team at Take My Scrap Car to discuss scrapping your EV for the best possible price!