An MOT is a check that has to be done on your vehicle to check that it is safe and roadworthy. There is a strict policy that garages have to use when carrying out an MOT inspection on your vehicle and this will allow them to say whether the car has passed the MOT or failed. If it passes then the next MOT will not be due for another 12 months. Driving your car without an MOT is illegal and can cost you points on your license, your vehicle can be seized and you may find that it invalidates your insurance. All cars over three years old need to have a MOT carried out every year and if it fails it is not allow to be driven on the road again ( unless you are taking it to have the failed defects fixed or to a pre-arranged MOT test appointment) until it has passed. If a partial retest is needed then you will not be charged again for this as long as it is carried out within 10 working days of the first test.
You may not get a reminder that your vehicles MOT is due unless you have signed up to these at the garage that did the previous MOT. It is your responsibility to ensure that the MOT is carried out on time.