Annual MOT Assessment & Training Topics for 2026-27
Find out what topics to train on for the 2026-27 exam
The 2026-27 DVSA annual training and exam year starts on 1st April 2026 and ends on 31st March 2027. Following on from the previous 10 years, the proposals for the 2026-27 year is to include the following:
The annual MOT exam topics for vehicle classes 1&2 are:
(Group A)
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
- Headlamp aim;
- Headlamp conversions;
- Lighting requirements (dates, position, colour, type, separation distance);
- Setting up headlamp test equipment;
- Identifying the beam image;
- Multi-function lamps (for example a position lamp or daytime running lamp (DRL) combined with an indicator or stop lamp);
- Halogen lamps converted to LED or HID;
- Compliance with requirements.
Information in the MOT Testing Guide
- Training logs – including what action DVSA can take if you do not complete your training log;
- Driving licences – including driving licence requirements for MOT testers, restricted licences and name changes (section E of the MOT testing guide);
- Convictions – including what happens if you fail to notify DVSA about convictions;
- Repute;
- What happens if prospective or existing testers make false declarations or statements or give false documents to DVSA or MOT training providers;
- Aborting or abandoning a test;
- Becoming mentally or physically unfit to test;
- Replacement certificates;
- Duplicate certificates;
- Change of vehicle classification;
- Change of vehicle details;
- Grounds to refuse an MOT test;
- Grounds to decline an MOT test;
- Discipline (section I of the MOT testing guide);
- What happens if a vehicle is damaged during an MOT test.
Brakes
- Mechanical components (discs, drums, brake pads and linings);
- Cables, rods, levers and linkages;
- Lighting;
- Brake pipes, rigid and flexible hoses;
- Hydraulic systems;
- Brake performance and procedures – linked brake systems.
MOT inspection manual for motorcycles and sidecars
- Tyres (including tread depth, condition, valve stem, size, type);
- Suspension (including suspension components, fastening devices, linkages, wear in components, bushes)
Example subjects
- Sidecars;
- Handlebar condition;
- Forks and yokes;
- Structure and attachments.
The annual MOT exam topics for vehicle classes 4&7 are:
(Group B)
Lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment
- Headlamp aim;
- Headlamp conversions;
- Lighting requirements (dates, position, colour, type, separation distance);
- Setting up headlamp test equipment;
- Identifying the beam image;
- Multi-function lamps (for example a position lamp or daytime running lamp (DRL) combined with an indicator or stop lamp);
- Halogen lamps converted to LED or HID;
- Compliance with requirements.
Information in the MOT Testing Guide
- Training logs – including what action DVSA can take if you do not complete your training log;
- Driving licences – including driving licence requirements for MOT testers, restricted licences and name changes (section E of the MOT testing guide);
- Convictions – including what happens if you fail to notify DVSA about convictions;
- Repute;
- What happens if prospective or existing testers make false declarations or statements or give false documents to DVSA or MOT training providers;
- Aborting or abandoning a test;
- Becoming mentally or physically unfit to test;
- Replacement certificates;
- Duplicate certificates;
- Change of vehicle classification;
- Change of vehicle details;
- Grounds to refuse an MOT test;
- Grounds to decline an MOT test;
- Discipline (section I of the MOT testing guide);
- What happens if a vehicle is damaged during an MOT test.
Brakes
- Mechanical components (discs, drums, brake pads and linings);
- Cables, rods, levers and linkages;
- Lighting;
- Brake pipes, rigid and flexible hoses;
- Hydraulic systems;
- Electrical mechanical brakes and 4×4 vehicle testing;
- Identifying dual purpose vehicles and the appropriate brake test.
MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles
- Tyres (including tread depth, condition, valve stem, size, type);
- Suspension (including suspension components, fastening devices, linkages, wear in components, bushes)
Example subjects
- Suspension components (including pins and bushes, suspension arms, ball joints and ball joint dust covers);
- Anti-roll bars (including ball joints, linkage ball joints, dust covers, pins and bushes, and attachment bracket and mounting);
- Subframes (including prescribed mounting areas, attachment brackets, ball joints, ball joint dust covers, and pins and bushes);
- Emissions testing and smoke testing (including kit cars, different engine, vehicle conversions, and when the information is not available on equipment or emission booklet).
Important
The above topics need to cover a minimum of 3 hours and a record of this training must be kept by the MOT tester for inspection by the DVSA. If a tester is qualified as both a Group A and Group B tester, they must carry out a total of 6 hours of training ensuring they cover the minimum requirement of 3 hours per vehicle class group.
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2026-2027
View the topics for the 2026-27 annual training and assessment year.
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2025-2026 (current year)
View the topics for the 2025-26 annual training and assessment year.
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2024-2025
View the topics for the 2024-25 annual training and assessment year.
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2023-2024
View the topics for the 2023-24 annual training and assessment year.
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2022-2023
View the topics for the 2022-23 annual training and assessment year.
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2021-2022
View the topics for the 2021-22 annual training and assessment year.
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2020-2021
View the topics for the 2020-21 annual training and assessment year.
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2019-2020
View the topics for the 2019-20 annual training and assessment year.
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2018-2019
View the topics for the 2018-19 annual training and assessment year.
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2017-2018
View the topics for the 2017-18 annual training and assessment year.
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2016-2017
The topics for the 2016-17 annual training and assessment year are unavailable.
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