How to Report a Car Without an MOT (Yes, You Can Do It Anonymously)

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

If you live in the UK and drive a car that's more than 3 years old, you're responsible for getting a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test every year. The test certifies that your car meets the country's road safety and environmental standards. It's illegal to use a car without an MOT on the roads. If you see one, it's in your best interest to report it, since it presents a safety hazard. Below, we've collected answers to all of your most common questions about how to report a car without a valid MOT.^{[1]
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Question 1

Question 1 of 6:
How can I tell if a car doesn't have a valid MOT?

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If you suspect the car doesn't have a valid MOT, you can check online. Go to https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status and click the green button to get started. You must have the registration number (number plate) for the vehicle.^{[2]
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- There's not really any outward sign that a car doesn't have an MOT, but if you see someone driving a car that appears to be unsafe, it's possible that it doesn't have an MOT.
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Question 2

Question 2 of 6:
Under what circumstances can I report a car without an MOT?

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You can report it if you see it parked or being driven on a public road. Technically, a car without an MOT can only be driven to the testing station to get an MOT if the driver has an appointment there. If it's parked in a garage and you have no evidence that it's being driven on the roads, though, there's no cause to report it.^{[3]
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- Cars without an MOT can't be parked on the road either. If you see a car without an MOT and it's not in a private driveway or garage, you can report it.

Question 3

Question 3 of 6:
Where do I report a car without an MOT?

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Report the car to your local police and they'll investigate it. Go to https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/ to find the local police force that's responsible for the area where the car is located. It's typically easiest to report the vehicle online, but you can also call the police non-emergency number.^{[4]
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- The police don't handle abandoned vehicles. If you feel the vehicle is abandoned (for example, if it doesn't have any number plates or doesn't appear drivable), report it to the local council. In England and Wales, you can do this online at https://www.gov.uk/report-abandoned-vehicle.
- If the car is on private property, notify the owner of the property and let them deal with it. For example, if a car without an MOT is parked in the designated lot for your apartment building, you'd notify your landlord rather than the police.^{[5]
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Question 4

Question 4 of 6:
Can I report a car without an MOT anonymously?

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Yes, most police forces allow you to report anonymously. You might need to call 101 (police non-emergency) to report the car.^{[6]
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Research source} While you can also report the car online, some police forces don't allow anonymous reports online.
- For example, if you want to file an online report for a car without an MOT in Dorset, you're required to provide your full name, birth date, address, and contact information (phone number and email address).^{[7]
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Question 5

Question 5 of 6:
What information do I include in my report?

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Include the vehicle's plate number, make and model, color, and location. If you can't provide an exact street address, you can use landmarks to describe the general area. You might also provide other information about the vehicle, such as how long it's been there.^{[8]
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Official UK government website
Official website for the public sector of the UK government
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- Some police forces will also need identifying and contact information for you.^{[9]
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Question 6

Question 6 of 6:
What's the penalty for no MOT?

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The police might issue a fine to the owner of the vehicle. After you report a car without an MOT, the local police force investigates. If they find that the car is being operated illegally, they'll cite the owner with a fine. The maximum fine for operating a car with no MOT is £1,000.^{[10]
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- The vehicle might also be towed away if it's blocking the road, parked in a restricted area, or inoperable.^{[11]
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- If someone is pulled over while driving a car with no MOT, they can be fined up to £2,500. They'll also get 3 points on their license and could be banned from driving.^{[12]
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