MOT in and out of Bulgaria

The way I understand it there is no EU-wide MOT (technical inspection) that is data-based throughout the EU

The main problem arises when you look at residency rules.

Your normal residence is the place where you usually live, work or have family (for more than 185 days in a calendar year). Many countries have time limits on how long a car can be out of the country before re-registration is required and this is associated with residency rules.

I would suggest that if you have no idea if you will be in Bulgaria at the time the inspection is due then maybe when you return to Bulgaria if it is before its runs out get it done early.

Otherwise, it would have to be on a trailer.

In previous years you could get away with it but everything is getting tightened up these days

@robbertvandoorn

It doesn't matter where you register your car (or whether it's personal or company), it will need tax/test/insurance in that location. Tax and insurance are typically pretty easy to do online, so it doesn't matter where your vehicle is at that time. But an inspection requires the vehicle, so, once a year (usually, some countries might have a longer interval), you'll need to get back to the country of registration.

Typically, you either plan your travels so that you're back at base in time for the inspection... or you have 2 vehicles with different country registrations based on where you spend the most time.

Letting your inspection expire is a very bad idea. It potentially invalidates your insurance, and leaves you open to significant penalties for operating a non-roadworthy vehicle. If you get stopped for any reason, in any country, you'll almost certainly be in significant trouble. Don't do it! :-)