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Glite Dictionary
MOT test

MOT test

5.4
A yearly safety and emissions check for vehicles in the UK
  • noun
  • /ɛm oʊ ti tɛst/
  • UK
translation icon : prueba de MOT
  • Every year, UK drivers must book an MOT test to keep their vehicles road legal.

Examples

  • My car failed its MOT test last week, so I need to get the brakes fixed.

  • She scheduled her MOT test early to avoid the winter rush.

  • My car needs to pass the MOT test this month.

  • Did you remember to book the MOT test for your vehicle?

  • Every year, UK drivers must book an MOT test to keep their vehicles road legal.

  • My car failed its MOT test last week, so I need to get the brakes fixed.

  • She scheduled her MOT test early to avoid the winter rush.

Synonyms

road test
vsMOT test
3 2.8

A drive when someone checks if a car is safe to use on the road

is an annual required inspection focused also on emissions and age rules
MOT
vsMOT test
  • UK
1 9.0

A test in the UK every year that checks if a car is safe to drive and its exhaust

is the full phrase rather than the shortened name
Ministry of Transportation test
vsMOT test
  • Canadian
5.3

A yearly required check of older cars to make sure they are safe and do not make too much smoke

is the same required UK check but named differently by that agency

Surface Forms

MOT test singular
MOT tests plural

Morphology

MOT + test

The acronym 'MOT' already denotes a compulsory vehicle safety/emissions check and 'test' simply labels an examination, so 'MOT test' is a literal combination meaning the vehicle inspection. Although 'MOT' is UK-specific, a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning because it is non-idiomatic and directly compositional.

Etymology

MOT test comes from the name 'Ministry of Transport', the government group that started official car checks in the UK. People used the short letters MOT for the check, so MOT test now means the yearly 'safety and emissions check' drivers must have for their vehicles.