https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOT_test

The name derives from the Ministry of Transport,[6] a defunct government department, which was one of several ancestors of the current Department for Transport, but is still officially used.

https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot

The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.

You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:

• the third anniversary of its registration
• the anniversary of its last MOT, if it’s over 3 years old

Some vehicles need to be tested at one year old - check the MOT fees table to see which.

Das könnte vergleichbar sein mit dem TÜV

Dazu auch :

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/...

 MOT

(em oʊ tiː IPA Pronunciation Guide )

Word forms: plural MOTs

countable noun

In Britain, an MOT is a test which, by law, must be made each year on all road vehicles that are more than 3 years old, in order to check that they are safe to drive.

My car is due for its MOT in two days' time.  ...

Der ganze Satz lautet übrigens so, und da steht ja auch das "car", auf das sich das "they" dann später bezieht:

Well, for years I've lived reasonably near the center of London and there doesn't seem any need to drive, because you've got to have a car parked outside your house, you've got to get MOT and they always break down. 

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