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Yes, if your hybrid car is three years old or more, it must pass an MOT every year. This includes the emissions checks, because it still uses a combustion engine.

Ultimately, no – the MOT test for a hybrid car is not different from the standard MOT for petrol and diesel cars.

The test follows all the same procedures as for conventional vehicles because hybrids still contain many of the same components - including brakes, tyres, suspension, lights, and safety systems.

Most parts of the MOT for a hybrid car are exactly the same as for other cars.

During the MOT for a hybrid car the same inspections and tests are carried out as they are during a standard MOT for a petrol or diesel car.

This is because hybrid cars combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Because of this, they are subject to the same inspection requirements as conventional fuel vehicles.

• Steering (including suspension)
• Lighting Equipment
• Brakes
• Doors
• Bonnet
• Tyres and wheels
• Seatbelts
• Exhaust system & emissions
• Fuel system
• Driver’s view of the road
• Electrics
• Windscreen
• Windscreen wipers and washers
• Horn
• All the mirrors
• Registration plates and Vehicle Identification Number

A hybrid car’s MOT test will typically take between 45 minutes and 1 hour. This is about the same as an MOT for petrol or diesel vehicles.

Although hybrid vehicles include additional technology - such as an electric motor and battery - these components are not directly tested as part of the MOT. So there should not be any time added on for additional checks.

Actual timings on the day may vary depending on the schedule of the garage, the condition of the car and other external factors.

Yes, hybrid cars still need to undergo the emissions test during the MOT.

Although a hybrid vehicle has components and systems similar to an EV, they also still use an internal combustion engine. Therefore, they are subject to the same tests and inspections in this regard.

During the MOT, the tester will measure the levels of harmful gases coming from the exhaust. This includes carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Only fully electric vehicles are exempt from the emissions test.

Brand new vehicles are not required to undergo an MOT test until they are three years old. Once a car reaches the third anniversary of its initial registration, it must then pass an MOT test every 12 months to remain legally roadworthy.

Vehicles older than 40 years old may also be exempt from MOT testing. Provided they have not undergone significant modifications - such as changes to the chassis, engine, or braking system.

This exemption applies to a range of vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles, and 4x4s.

Even for vehicles that qualify for an exemption, the owner is still legally responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is safe to drive and in a roadworthy condition.

To help maintain safety and performance, regular servicing and routine checks are strongly advised, regardless of MOT status.

In some instances a hybrid vehicle may be more expensive to maintain, but this is not always the case. There are a lot of factors in maintaining a vehicle – be it ICE, hybrid or EV – that will affect the overall running costs.

There are some components or systems within a hybrid vehicle which can in fact work out cheaper than traditional vehicles. For instance, because a hybrid vehicle relies less on the ICE for power, there is generally less wear on the engine.

The most expensive component of a hybrid will often be the high-voltage battery. If this fails outside of the car’s warranty, then it can be a very costly replacement or repair.

Hybrids can cost slightly more to maintain in terms of specialist labour and/or battery related faults. However, overall, they should enjoy less wear on traditional components.

The key to keeping costs down for any vehicle is regular maintenance and servicing.

No, not all mechanics can carry out an MOT specifically on a hybrid vehicle. As with petrol and diesel cars, an MOT can only be carried out by a garage or technician that is VOSA approved to perform MOTs for standard cars.

As long as the garage and mechanic are VOSA authorised, they are ok to carry out the MOT test on your hybrid car.

It is worth noting that there is no hybrid-specific certification needed for MOT. So specialist EV/hybrid training is not a legal requirement to perform the MOT.

As well as Hybrid MOT checks, Blackcircles provides a variety of other MOT and vehicle servicing options, including:

• • MOT
• • EV MOT
• • Major Service
• • Full Service
• • Interim Service
• • EV Service
• • Hybrid Service ( Full & Interim)
• • Oil & Filter Change
• • Combined MOT & Service packages (coming soon)