To stay covered by your Marshmallow insurance and drive legally in the UK, your car must have a valid MOT if it’s over three years old. An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test checks that your car meets road safety and environmental standards.
Why a valid MOT matters
When you purchase a Marshmallow policy, you agree that:
You’ll keep your car roadworthy throughout your policy.
You’ll maintain any legal requirements, including valid MOT and tax.
If your MOT has expired, your insurance will no longer be valid. This means we may not be able to pay out on a claim, and your policy could be cancelled immediately with no refund of premium.
What if my MOT has already expired?
If your MOT has expired, do not drive your car unless you are on your way to a booked MOT or mechanic appointment. You must be able to prove this with a dated appointment if anything happens while driving.
Even if you pass your MOT after an accident, your claim could still be declined if the car didn’t have a valid MOT at the time of the loss.
You are also not eligible for a courtesy car if your vehicle fails its MOT.
How to keep your MOT valid
Here are steps to help you stay up to date:
1. Check your MOT status
You can check your vehicle's MOT status using the official GOV.UK service. Have your registration number ready.
2. Sign up for free MOT reminders
Visit the MOT reminder service to receive email or text alerts when your MOT is due.
3. Keep your vehicle taxed
Your car needs valid tax to be insured too. Check your tax status here and consider setting up automatic payments to avoid missing deadlines.
Special cases: MOT appointment journeys
You can legally drive a car without a valid MOT only if:
You have a pre-booked MOT test or mechanic appointment.
You are driving directly there.
Important: You must provide concrete proof of this appointment, such as a dated confirmation message or email.