More British motorists than ever before are considering trading-up to electric vehicles. With generous government incentives available and the promise of lower overall running costs, it’s a pleasing proposition to say the least.

Nevertheless, it’s also true to say that investing in an electric vehicle for the first time presents any number of important questions. Not just with how these cars perform on the road, but where they stand with regard to official legislation.

Hence the question – are electric cars exempt from MOTs?

It’s often assumed that by trading-up to an EV, you’ll never have to worry about MOT testing again. In reality, this simply isn’t the case. According to official UK legislation, all cars over three years old must be inspected and certified accordingly on an annual basis. Irrespective of whether it’s a traditional petrol-powered vehicle, an all-electric car or a hybrid, MOTs are still required.

This is because MOT testing is carried out to assess the overall safety and driveability of the vehicle. Not just for the safety of its occupants, but for every other road user across the board. So whether you plan to upgrade to electric or any other type of vehicle, there’s really no escaping annual MOT inspections.

The Differences with an MOT for an EV

For the most part, MOT testing is the same for an electric vehicle as it is for any other car. Many of the vehicle’s components may be significantly more complex and advanced, but it’s still the same case of testing its roadworthiness or otherwise. 

Brakes, headlights, indicators, mirrors and so on – all inspected in the same way.

The only difference being that as electric vehicles don’t produce any emissions, there’s no need to undergo an emissions test. This saves time and can streamline the process of passing the MOT inspection. Other than this, it’s exactly the same process as you’d expect with any other vehicle.

When a Vehicle Fails an MOT

With the UK government having recently stepped up the complexity and intensiveness of MOT testing standards, more vehicles than ever before are failing. The idea being that on a gradual basis, unsafe and polluting cars are being driven off UK roads, once and for all.

If your vehicle fails its MOT, there are two realistic options available. First of which is to pay for the necessary repairs and maintenance, in order to get it through its test and keep it running for another year. The second option is to consider scrapping and recycling your vehicle, upgrading to something safer and more environmentally friendly.

Here at Take My Scrap Car, we can help if you decide to go with the latter option. We’ll travel to your location anywhere in Norfolk, transport your vehicle away for recycling and ensure the DVLA paperwork is addressed. Best of all, we promise to pay the best possible price for your scrap vehicle – calculated in accordance with scrap values at the day.

So whether ready to go electric or simply looking to get rid of an old car that’s cramping your style, call the team at Take My Scrap Car today!