n ( infml ) ( in full the Ministry of Transport test )
( in Britain ) an official test carried out on a car to make sure that it is safe to drive. Any car over three years old must have the test once a year. If the car passes the test, a certificate is given; if not, repairs must be carried out. It is illegal to drive a car without a valid certificate. The tests are done by private garages. The abbreviation MOT is used both for the test and for the certificate:
I need to take my car in for its MOT.
Make sure you see the MOT before you buy the car.