Who Pays for the MOT on a Lease Car?

The following guide answers all the common questions people ask about lease car MOTs. Let’s start off with the most common things we get asked; who pays for the MOT on a lease car?

In most cases, you won’t need to pay for an MOT on a lease car. The reason being government legislation states that cars aged 3 years or less are not required by law to have an MOT. Given most lease terms are shorter than that, it’s unlikely you will ever need to get an MOT done on your lease car.

However, if you lease a car longer than 3 years, then you could be responsible for having an MOT test done on it, and fixing any advisories required.

But, in some cases, the leasing company may include an MOT in the maintenance package if you decide to lease a new car for longer than 3 years, means they will cover the cost of the lease car MOT test.

Whether you decide to lease a car with us at ACL Automotive, specialists in short-term car leases, or another company, it’s important to understand the terms of your lease agreement and any maintenance package you have chosen. By doing so, you can be certain about who pays for the MOT on a lease car if you go over the 3 year threshold.

Failure to arrange and pay for the MOT can result in fines and penalties.

Do I need to MOT my lease car before returning it?

If you have leased the car for longer than 3 years, and the MOT is due, before you return the car, then you do need to MOT it.  This is because the MOT date has fallen within the lease contract period you signed up to.

The cost of an MOT can vary depending on where you live and the type of car you drive, but it will not cost more than the government maximum of £54.85 as at the year 2023.

However, as we mentioned earlier, it could be that your long-term lease agreement of more than 3 years includes a maintenance package that covers the cost of MOTs. If you have a maintenance agreement, it is worth checking to see if the MOT is included.

Your responsibility when leasing a car

When you lease a car, you are responsible for maintaining it in a safe and roadworthy condition. This means arranging and paying for the car's MOT test if not included in a maintenance package after the 3 year point.

Maintenance includes regular servicing, oil changes, tire rotations, and any other necessary upkeep. However, it's important to note that you could be responsible for specific repairs, depending on the terms of the lease agreement.

If you're unsure about who is responsible for paying for the lease car MOT test, you should contact the leasing company or check the terms of your lease agreement. This will help you to avoid any unexpected costs or issues with the car's maintenance.