Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department takes to help ensure continuity in the inspection of vehicles as part of the MOT process.

For all vehicles that require an MOT, the MOT status is checked when motorists renew their Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). An MOT must be in place prior to VED being renewed.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) provides the ‘MOT reminder service’ (https://www.gov.uk/mot-reminder). Motorists can use the service to sign up to get free reminders, by text message or email, when their vehicle’s MOT is due.

Motorists can also use the ‘MOT history service’ (www.gov.uk/check-mot-history), for all categories of vehicle, to check if the vehicle has a current MOT, when the next MOT is due, and see any defects or advisories listed against the vehicle.