MOT for electric cars: what is tested and what is not

An electric car needs an MOT on the same schedule as a petrol or diesel car: at 3 years old (by the third anniversary of its registration), then every year. It is tested against the same inspection manual, minus the exhaust emissions check, because there is no exhaust. What the MOT does not do is test the traction battery's health. If you are buying a used electric car, that is the gap you need to cover yourself.

When an electric car needs an MOT

In Great Britain, a car must have its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration. After that it needs one every year. GOV.UK sets no separate schedule for electric cars.

You can have the test up to a month (minus a day) before the current certificate runs out and keep the same renewal date. Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000, unless you are driving to a pre-booked test or to a place of repair.

The maximum fee a test centre may charge is the same as for any car. Our guide to how much an MOT costs explains the cap and the retest rules.

What is tested on an electric car

The tester works through the same sections of the DVSA inspection manual as for any other car. The main ones are:

• Brakes: performance on a brake tester, the condition of discs, pads, pipes and hoses, and the parking brake.
• Tyres and wheels: tread depth, cuts and bulges, matching sizes on an axle, and the tyre pressure monitoring warning on cars that have one.
• Steering and suspension: wear in joints, damaged springs, leaking or ineffective dampers.
• Lights and signals: every lamp, the headlamp aim and the dashboard warning lamps the manual lists.
• Body and structure: excessive corrosion in structural areas, sharp edges, doors, the bonnet and the boot.
• Visibility: the windscreen, wipers, washers and mirrors.
• Seatbelts and seats, the horn, the registration plates and the VIN.

What is missing is the exhaust emissions part of section 8. There is no tailpipe to measure.

What matters more on an electric car

With no emissions test and no engine items, the parts that are tested carry more of the result. A few deserve extra attention when you view a used electric car.

Brakes that see little use

Electric cars slow down mostly by regenerative braking: the motor acts as a generator and puts energy back into the battery. That means the friction brakes are used less. Brake discs that are used lightly can corrode, especially on a car that is driven gently or stands for long spells. Corroded discs can reduce braking performance, and the MOT tests brake performance and disc condition.

At a viewing, look at the discs through the wheels. A heavy crust of rust on the braking surface, or a ridge of rust on the outer edge, is worth asking about. On the test drive, brake firmly once from moderate speed on a clear road and feel for pulling or vibration.

Tyres and suspension

Electric cars are often heavier than petrol cars of a similar size, and they deliver strong torque from a standstill. Both can wear tyres faster. Check the tread across the whole width of each tyre. Our guide to tyre tread depth and the MOT tyre rules covers the legal limit and what uneven wear tells you.

Listen for knocks over bumps on the test drive. Suspension faults show up in MOT results on all cars, and extra weight does them no favours.

Brake pipes underneath

The underside of an electric car is often covered by the battery pack and panels, but brake pipes still run along it. Repeat advisories for corroded pipes are worth noting. Our guide to brake pipe corrosion on an MOT explains how testers grade it.

What the MOT does not test

Say it plainly: the MOT does not test the health of the traction battery. It does not measure capacity, range or the state of the cells. A car can pass with a battery that holds noticeably less charge than it did when new.

Nor does the test cover:

• the motor, inverter or reduction gearbox;
• charging equipment, the charging port and the cables that come with the car;
• the heat pump or air conditioning, which affect range in winter;
• the software, including whether updates have been applied.

The MOT also does not cover the engine, clutch or gearbox of any car, which is why our guide to what the MOT does not check applies to hybrids too.

How to cover the gaps as a buyer

1. Ask for a battery health report. Many dealers and specialists can produce a state of health reading for the traction battery. Ask for it in writing, with the date and the mileage.
2. Check the range from full. Ask the seller to charge the car to full before you arrive. Note the range on the display and compare it with what you would expect for that model, while remembering that the figure depends on recent driving and temperature.
3. Ask about the battery warranty. Many electric cars come with a separate battery warranty limited by years and miles. Ask to see the terms and check whether they pass to a new owner.
4. Test the charging. Plug the car into a charger at the viewing if you can, and check that the cable supplied works.
5. Read the MOT history. Look for repeat advisories for brakes, tyres and suspension. Our MOT advisory checker explains the wording.
6. Compare the model's MOT record. Our MOT fail rate pages show fail rates by model and age for cars tested in Great Britain.

If the price is high and you cannot get a battery report, see the car and ask a mechanic who works on electric cars.

Frequently asked questions

Do electric cars need an MOT?

Yes. In Great Britain an electric car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of registration, then every year, the same as a petrol or diesel car.

Is the MOT different for an electric car?

The test follows the same inspection manual, but there is no exhaust emissions check. Brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, the body, seatbelts and visibility are all tested as normal.

Does the MOT check the battery on an electric car?

No. The MOT does not test the traction battery's health, capacity or range. Ask the seller for a battery health report before you buy.

Why do electric cars fail on brakes?

Regenerative braking means the friction brakes are used less, so discs can corrode on cars that are driven gently or stand for long periods. Corroded discs can fail on condition or on braking performance.

Is an MOT cheaper for an electric car?

No. The maximum fee is the same for petrol, diesel and electric cars. Test centres can charge less than the maximum.