Electric vehicles are the future of motoring, with more than 1.5 million currently on the UK roads. With their growing popularity, the need to keep them safe is ever increasing, meaning the MOT - first introduced in 1960 - is in line for one of its biggest ever changes.
The Department for Transport is reportedly considering changes as Europe is proposing alterations to its periodic technical inspection (PTI) regime that applies to vehicles already on the road, specifically in relation to EVs, and driver systems.
In more detail, the European Commission said, in an April 2025 publication - Document 52025PC0180 - that “current testing methods have not been adapted to advances and roll-out of new technologies, such as advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, and electric vehicles".
Europe’s new regime, if approved and rolled out, will see adaptations to tests to ensure that they are suitable for EVs while also checking the effectiveness of driver assistance systems by checking for software integrity. At the same time, Europe wants to improve the effectiveness of emissions testing and have the PTI look for vehicle software that has been tampered with.
The commission’s proposals aren’t law yet – they need to be considered by the European Parliament and the European Council. But if agreed, the commission will prepare the legislation that will implement the new rules across the EU.
And it seems that the UK government may follow Europe’s example, even though post Brexit the UK is not under any obligation to follow new regulations or legislation enacted by the EU.
However, given the desire of the UK government – and others – to have closer ties with Europe, it would be unsurprising if the Department for Transport isn’t seriously considering any amendments, especially as the issues are the same either side of the English Channel.
For example, it’s notable that ICE vehicles are tested for emissions, but EVs have no battery health check – only a visual check on battery condition and a basic test on electrical systems and nor is there a dedicated electric powertrain or charging system inspection. That said, this year the MOT had tests added in relation to battery casings and high voltage cables, ADAS systems, ULEZ zone data, as well as specifying digital proof of the vehicle undergoing an MOT.
But whatever is brought in, the testing regime in the UK will not change frequency from the current three years for the first MOT followed by annual tests, despite a consultation launched in January 2023 by the Sunak government.
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