Do EVs & Hybrid Cars Need an MOT?

Captivating the car market throughout the 2010s and now the 2020s, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly available in the UK. Approximately 1.4 million EVs and over 770,000 hybrid vehicles are on UK roads as of early 2025. EVs are finally making an impact.

If you're interested in joining the revolution and buying, leasing, or renting an EV, you might wonder if these vehicles require an MOT. Here at Approved Garages, we're here to dispel myths around EVs, hybrids, and MOTs, and inform you about changes to UK law. Let’s get started by answering one of our most common questions, do EVs & Hybrid cars need an MOT? 

Yes, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs), Hybrid (HEV), and Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEV) all need a valid MOT certificate every year after they are 3 years old. This certificate checks many aspects of the vehicle's condition to ensure it is still safe to drive on UK roads.

Many garages that work on regular internal combustion engines may also work with cars that have electric powertrains. Our online tool allows you to find the right garage for your car’s powertrain by checking your car’s registration number.

Find out everything you need to know about getting your EV car booked into an MOT garage with Approved Garages, the UK’s largest network of garages supplying MOTs and Services to all varieties of vehicles today. 

Key Takeaways: 

• EVs and Hybrids need a valid MOT certificate after 3 years, and every year after that.

• The MOT date is 3 years after the car is first registered, not the factory date.

• Check your log book or previous MOT certificate for the due date.

• Nearly all private vehicles in the UK require an MOT, with very few exceptions. This, of course, includes EVs and Hybrids.

Should I MOT an EV or Hybrid Car?

Yes, EVs and Hybrids need a valid MOT certificate after their first 3 years, and every year after that. The date that you need to book your MOT is 3 years after your car is first registered, rather than the date that it left the factory. This information should be available to you in your log book. If you are unsure when your vehicle needs its next MOT, then this information should be available on your previous MOT certificate. In this case, you would need to have the certificate updated to 1 year after the date shown.

If your vehicle was registered on June 1st 2022, then you would need to update the MOT certificate by June 1st 2025. 

This rule applies to nearly all private vehicles on the road in the UK, however, some exceptions do apply. 

Why Do Hybrids and Electric Vehicles Need an MOT?

MOTs are required to ensure that: 

• All cars on the road meet the minimum standards to be able to be driven on UK roads, and;

• Each car meets the minimum environmental standards required to drive on UK roads. 

As Hybrids and EVs run differently from ICEs, they have slightly different standards which must be met over their internal combustion counterparts. In short, EVs and Hybrids have very powerful batteries under the bodywork, and these need specific checks, different to petrol or diesel vehicles and their batteries. 

What is Checked During an EV or Hybrid MOT?

During an MOT test, the following parts of a vehicle are checked:

General Safety Checks:

• Lights (headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, etc.)

• Horn

• Windscreen (chips, cracks, visibility, and also windscreen wipers and washers)

• Mirrors and rear visibility

Braking System:

• Condition and wear of brake pads, discs, and drums

• Brake performance test (efficiency and balance)

• ABS warning light if applicable

Steering & Suspension:

• Steering system, including ‘play’, leaks, condition of components

• Suspension components, including springs, shock absorbers, wishbones, etc.

Tyres & Wheels:

• Tread depth (minimum legal limit of 1.6mm as of 2024)

• Sidewall condition, including bulges, cuts

• Wheel alignment and security

Body & Structural Integrity:

• Chassis and frame for excessive corrosion or damage

• Mounting points and brackets

• Doors, bonnet, and boot functionality

Seats & Seatbelts:

• Security of seats

• Functionality and wear of seatbelts

Dashboard & Warning Lights:

• Airbag warning light

• ABS warning light

• Other dashboard indicators

Exhaust & Emissions (Not Applicable to EVs):

• Exhaust system condition (leaks, security)

• Emissions test (CO2, NOx and particulate matter)*

• Noise levels*

Additional EV-Specific Checks:

• Battery condition and health (including capacity degradation)

• High-voltage cabling and safety

• Charging port and charging system functionality

• Electrical motor performance 

Finding an MOT Garage for your EV or Hybrid in your Location with Approved Garages

Finding an MOT garage in your area is quick and simple with Approved Garages. Our network of garages spans the entire UK, offering motorists affordable and accessible MOT services right on their doorstep. Visit Approved Garages to find a garage near you.