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MOT

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate UK //mˈɒt// mot Archaic Slang

n. Stands for Ministry of Transport. A mandatory yearly check for cars in the UK to make sure they are safe to drive. You must pass this test to keep your car on the road.

n. Abbreviation for Ministry of Transport. An annual compulsory inspection of motor vehicles older than three years to ensure roadworthiness and compliance with safety and environmental standards. Specific to the United Kingdom.


SIMPLE

My car passed its MOT this morning.

CONTEXTUAL

The mechanic found a small crack in the windshield that caused the car to fail its MOT.

COMPLEX

Failure to present a valid MOT certificate not only renders the vehicle illegal for road use but also typically invalidates the owner's insurance policy in the event of an accident.

Origin

(roadworthiness test): From the initials of the Ministry of Transport, a former government department.

Usage

Commonly used as a noun, but often functions as a modifier in phrases like 'MOT test' or 'MOT certificate'.

Pitfall

I need to do my MOTI need to get an MOTIn British English, you 'get', 'have', or 'pass' an MOT; 'do' is rarely used by car owners to describe the inspection process.

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