help, my mot is overdue

greco_2

As others have said, absence of an MOT certificate does not necessarily mean that a car is not roadworthy. In the event of an claim where the vehicle is beyond economical repair, insurers are likely to take the view that a car without an MOT certificate is worth less than one which has an MOT and would settle at trade value.

A vehicle which has bald tyres would by definition be unroadworthy and in breach of policy conditions. I have known insurers refuse point blank to deal with claims in that situation regardless of whether the condition of the tyres contributed to the loss.

Wig

greco wrote: »

A vehicle which has bald tyres would by definition be unroadworthy and in breach of policy conditions. I have known insurers refuse point blank to deal with claims in that situation regardless of whether the condition of the tyres contributed to the loss.

If it was taken to the ombudsman (as any sensible person would do when faced with an uncooperative insurer), the insurer would be required by the ombudsman to show that the tyre condition contributed to the loss. As I'm sure raskass would confirm.

raskazz

Wig wrote: »

If it was taken to the ombudsman (as any sensible person would do when faced with an uncooperative insurer), the insurer would be required by the ombudsman to show that the tyre condition contributed to the loss. As I'm sure raskass would confirm.

Indeed, for example in this complaint the Irish Ombudsman (which basically works on the same principles as the UK's Ombudsman on these matters, because the origin of the FSA's rule lies in the EU Directive that led to the Unfair Terms In Consumer Contracts Regulations) found in the insurer's favour only because an independent engineer's report concluded that the lack of tread depth was a cause of the accident:

"Case 19 - Motor Insurance Policy- Complainant failed to keep his vehicle in a road worthy condition.

The Complainant had a motor insurance policy with the Company from September 2006. In December 2006 the Complainant was involved in a Single Vehicle Accident on a country road. He submitted a claim to the Company for the damage sustained to his vehicle, citing the cause of the accident was due to bad road and bad weather conditions i.e. icy roads.

Upon investigating the claim the Company discovered that both of the Complainant’s rear tyres were in bad condition and both tyre thread depths were well below the minimum legal requirements. The Company appointed an engineer, who after carrying out an inspection of the vehicle deemed the tyres to be the primary cause of the accident. The Company repudiated the claim in its entirety stating that the Complainant was in breach of the policy terms and conditions by failing to keep his vehicle ‘maintained in an efficient and roadworthy condition’.

The Ombudsman found that the Company was acting in accordance of its terms and conditions in the repudiation of the claim and after considering the independent engineer’s report was in agreement with the Company that the tyres thread depths were the primary cause that led to the accident."

From http://www.financialombudsman.ie/case-studies/July-December07-case-studies.pdf

cheap_charlie

I usually go to the same garage for my MOT and this year, for the first time, they very kindly sent me a reminder a month or so before my MOT was due to expire.

Now I was aware it was up but I have forgotten in the past (getting it done within 24 hours of it expiring - phew!) so it was helpful and perhaps something more garages should consider doing.

big_gay_kirk

It's always worth putting a sticker in your car to tell you when the MOT is due.. some stations do this for you, and at one point in Northants, the police used to stop people who weren't displaying one.. and try to book your car in one month before due date, take the old certificate with you, and you can end up with nearly 13 months MOT....

greco_2

Wig wrote: »

If it was taken to the ombudsman (as any sensible person would do when faced with an uncooperative insurer), the insurer would be required by the ombudsman to show that the tyre condition contributed to the loss. As I'm sure raskass would confirm.

Indeed. Times have changed and the situation I described probably wouldn't happen now. I do find it strange though that the Ombudsman would collude with a motorist who is using his car in an illegal condition.

Stephen_Leak

Bump.

Guess what I've just realised I've done - or not done?

What if you book it in for an MoT asap, and it fails on something, even something minor?

Debt_Free_Chick

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

Bump.

Guess what I've just realised I've done - or not done?

What if you book it in for an MoT asap, and it fails on something, even something minor?

Get the garage to fix it immediately and re-test

Wig

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

Bump.

Guess what I've just realised I've done - or not done?

What if you book it in for an MoT asap, and it fails on something, even something minor?

Depends what your circumstances are....It's a bit difficult to advise when you don't tell us what the problem is.

If you have just forgotten to renew your MOT get it done now - no problem

If you have had a bump involving others, get it done now, at least if it passes they can't claim it was unroadworthy at the time of the bump

If you've had a bump not involving others get it done now, and tell them you had the bump next week.