Whether you need an MOT certificate to release a car from impound depends on how you intend to remove it. If you plan to drive it away, the car must have a valid MOT — unless it’s being taken directly to a pre-booked test or is transported by a recovery truck. Without one of those exemptions, the pound will not allow you to drive the vehicle on public roads.

If the car has a valid MOT

If your MOT is current and the car is otherwise roadworthy, you can drive it away once you’ve provided proof of insurance and paid the release and storage fees. Staff at the pound may check the MOT status online through the DVLA MOT database. It helps to bring a printed copy or screenshot of the certificate, especially if the test was carried out recently and the online record has not yet updated.

If the MOT has expired

If the car’s MOT has run out, you cannot drive it home unless you have a pre-booked appointment at a testing station. In that case, you must tell the pound the date, time, and location of the test before leaving. The police can confirm this booking if they stop you on the way. The journey must be direct and only for that purpose — not for errands, repairs, or detours.

If you don’t have an MOT appointment, the car must be collected by a recovery truck instead. Driving an untested vehicle on public roads without a booking is an offence and could lead to another seizure or fixed penalty notice.

If the car failed its MOT

If the vehicle recently failed its MOT, it may still be driven only if it remains safe to do so and you’re taking it to a pre-booked repair or retest appointment. However, if the car was declared “dangerous to drive” on the failure notice, you’ll need to arrange for it to be transported on a truck. Most pounds will not allow release for driving in such cases, even for short distances.

When a recovery truck is required

Where the MOT has expired or the car is unroadworthy, a recovery truck is the only lawful way to remove it from the pound. You can hire a local recovery firm or, in some cases, use one listed by the pound itself. The driver of the recovery truck must present their own ID and insurance before collecting the vehicle.

How to check MOT status before collection

You can confirm whether your MOT is valid by visiting the government’s MOT history service on GOV.UK. Enter the registration number and check the expiry date. Doing this before contacting the pound saves wasted time and ensures you arrange the correct type of collection.

Final note

To drive an impounded car home, it must have a valid MOT certificate or a pre-booked test appointment. If neither applies, you’ll need a recovery truck. Pounds are strict about this, and trying to drive an untested vehicle away can lead to another offence. Checking the MOT status first — and planning accordingly — keeps the process simple, legal, and far less costly.

Check here for more useful information about impounded cars!

Please note: impound rules, collection windows and fee structures are set locally and can change at any time. Details on this site offer a broad outline only and are not guaranteed to match the requirements of any individual pound or authority.