MOT stands for "Ministry of Transport." It is a term originally referring to a former UK government department responsible for transport. The MOT test, introduced in 1960 by this department, is an annual vehicle inspection in the United Kingdom that checks vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions to ensure vehicles meet legal standards for use on public roads
. The test is now overseen by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) rather than the original Ministry of Transport, but the name "MOT" persists as the official term for the test and certificate issued upon passing
