It’s important you keep your electric or hybrid vehicle’s technical inspections up to date; that way you can minimise accidents on public highways and help to protect the environment by reducing polluting gas emission.
Given the increasing presence of electric vehicles on our roads, we want to help clear up any queries you may have about your first MOT with this type of vehicle.
What is an electric vehicle’s MOT like?
As with all other vehicles, electric cars need to have technical inspections (MOTs) to be able to travel on our roads. To carry out this procedure, owners need to arrange for their electric vehicles to go through the same process as fossil-fuel vehicles; in other words, they have to make an appointment and provide the details of their vehicle's driver(s).
For an electric car’s first MOT the owner is required to provide the necessary documents: the national identity document (DNI) of the person bringing the car to the inspection; the vehicle’s original technical specifications; their driver’s licence and the corresponding documents confirming they have the mandatory insurance policy. This administrative procedure is then followed by an inspection of the vehicle, starting with its bodywork and then its interior.
Finally, once your vehicle has passed the inspection process, you will be given a sticker to verify its fitness for travel in safe conditions. The sticker has to be attached to its front windscreen.
How often does an electric vehicle need to have an MOT?
As with fossil-fuel vehicles, electric cars are subject to MOTs from four years after their registration. After that, an inspection must be made every two years until the vehicle is 10 years old. From then on, it will need to have an annual MOT.
How does an electric vehicle's MOT differ from a fossil-fuel vehicle’s?
The only difference in an electric vehicle's MOT is that it dispenses with the emissions and noise tests. There are a few differences, nevertheless, in the engine and transmission tests, as electric cars have no clutch or gearbox. Electrical wiring and battery states are inspected instead, wherever possible.
Hybrid car MOTs
Hybrids or plug-in hybrid car's, however, combine electric and fossil-fuel engines, so they do need to undergo emissions and noise tests. Such vehicles also emit less noise pollution and considerably less CO2 into the atmosphere, compared to 100% petrol- or diesel-engine cars.
If you keep your electric or hybrid car's check-ups up to date, it will have no problems getting through its MOT and travelling in full safety.
An MOT certificate for your electric vehicle is not just a procedure for demonstrating its optimal technical and mechanical conditions, it also guarantees its road safety and minimises its environmental impact.