Lost your MOT certificate?
Good news: it doesn't matter. The paper is a courtesy copy — the real record is the DVSA database, and anyone who needs to know (police, insurers, the tax system) checks that, not the paper.
To check the status or expiry date
Go to gov.uk/check-mot-history and enter the registration. You'll see the expiry date, the result and every item from the last test. That's enough for almost every purpose — selling the car, checking before a trip, proving it to someone who asks.
To print an actual certificate
If you specifically need the certificate document (some buyers or hire companies ask), gov.uk has a "get a copy of your MOT certificate" service. You'll need the registration and the 11-digit document reference number from the V5C logbook. It's free and prints as a PDF. If you've lost the logbook as well, apply to DVLA for a replacement V5C first.
Or just ask us
If we tested the car, we can reprint the pass certificate for you at the counter. Bring the registration; no charge.
Taxing the car without the paper
You don't need the certificate to tax the car. DVLA checks the MOT database automatically when you renew online or at the Post Office.