NI MOT for Mainland Car Tax

flash2bang

Dear all, I'd be most grateful if someone who has experience of MOTing and taxing UK mainland registered cars that are regularly in NI could answer my query below.

Work has required me to move to Northern Ireland for a couple of years and I don't particularly want to re-register my car in NI for this temporary period as I'll have to waste a whole load of money getting it ready for an NI MOT now, rather than when the mainland MOT runs out (some time away yet). I believe a mainland MOT is no good in NI as the test is more stringent. I may also have the same issue in reverse in 2 years when I re-register on the mainland. I have a permanent address in the mainland that the car will be registered at (post forwarded on when I'm away). The insurance has appropriately been transferred over to my new address in NI as that is where the cars will spend the majority of their time (but not all of it). As it stands if I'm in NI when the tax is due for renewal I can do everything online (disc goes to UK address then is forwarded on to me). All fine until the MOT runs out. If this coincides with the car being back in the mainland then I just get it MOTed as usual; happy days. But that is not likely as the car will spend most of it's time in NI and it will be far more convenient to get the MOT done in NI

So my question is - can I MOT my car at one of the NI MOT test centres and use that certificate to tax my car back on the mainland? (I could ask a friend to do the tax thing at the post office if NI MOTs don't appear on the VOSA database, but I'd prefer to do it online or by post).

Road_Hog

flash2bang wrote: »

All fine until the MOT runs out. If this coincides with the car being back in the mainland then I just get it MOTed as usual; happy days.

Well make it coincide, take a trip back over to the UK to get it done, even if it is just taking the car on the ferry over to the Mainland to get your MOT and then just return. You could pay to have a pre MOT before you go, to check if it will pass and if any works needs doing first.

flash2bang

I'd probably better clarify that I'm unlikely to take the car back very often as I'm more likely to take advantage of cheap flights when going back to the mainland. I've thought about the 'quick' ferry trip option, but it's not all that cheap and it realistically can't be done in a day, so there's all sorts of extra costs (hotel near port/garage etc). As I'm trying to save money, I really want to know if an NI MOT is acceptable as that would save all of the hassle.

Road_Hog

flash2bang wrote: »

I believe a mainland MOT is no good in NI as the test is more stringent.

No. 10

http://www.dvtani.gov.uk/compliance/faqs.asp#50

dieselglider

When the MOT centres here in N.Ireland were involved in industrial action a couple of years back, Stenaline were doing special day-returns to Scotland to facilitate motorists here who required an MOT.

My neighbour took the opportunity, and made a day of it in Scotland, so I don't see that you've any worries about getting the car taxed.

flash2bang

Many thanks Road_Hog. So my assumption about mainland MOT not being valid in NI is wrong. That would make re-registering in NI for the 2 years far less painful, as long as it works the other way around too (ie if there's time to run on an NI MOT when I return to the mainland). I suspect I'll have to phone DVLA or VOSA to get clafication - unless anyone's already done it and knows the answer.

flash2bang

I've found the answer to my own question buried in the www.direct.gov.uk website.

See the bottom FAQ regarding MOTs and getting taxed online:

Do you accept Northern Ireland MOT/GVT Test Certificates?

No. We are unable to check Northern Ireland MOT/GVT Test Certificates electronically. Although Northern Ireland is part of the UK, they have a separate registration and licensing authority for vehicles.

You can, however, use the Northern Ireland MOT/GVT Test Certificate to apply for a tax disc at any licence-issuing Post Office® or DVLA Local Office (as applicable for the vehicle).

So if I get an NI MOT and I'm not on the mainland at renewal time I'll just have to get someone at home to pop down to a Post Office for me with all of the forms and payment. Hope this info is of use to others in my position.

wishiwasarichgirl

you can definately use a mainland MOT to tax a car in NI cos I've done that for the past 2 years, don't see why iit wouldn't work the other way round.

jammin_2

flash2bang wrote: »

So if I get an NI MOT and I'm not on the mainland at renewal time I'll just have to get someone at home to pop down to a Post Office for me with all of the forms and payment. Hope this info is of use to others in my position.

Why make things difficult by getting someone in Great Britain to tax the car for you? Tax it yourself, at any Post Office in NI. You'll have the V5, you'll have the insurance cert, and you'll have the MOT cert. So.. what's the problem?

flash2bang

Everything in NI Post Offices looks the same, but underneath it's all different. For instance I've found I can't deposit cheques into my Lloyds TSB or Barclays accounts at an NI Post Office, but I can on the mainland. I have read a thread whilst researching this subject of someone with the exact problem of not being able to tax their mainland registered car at an NI Post Office.

However, I have found that you can apply for a mainland tax disc by post up to 2 months in advance (ie you send the documentation manually). This has to be sent with a covering letter saying why you can't do it online/by phone/at a Post Office. Clearly in this case I could argue that I don't find the Post Office option convenient and the NI MOT stops me from using the online and phone options.

jammin_2

flash2bang wrote: »

Everything in NI Post Offices looks the same, but underneath it's all different. For instance I've found I can't deposit cheques into my Lloyds TSB or Barclays accounts at an NI Post Office, but I can on the mainland. I have read a thread whilst researching this subject of someone with the exact problem of not being able to tax their mainland registered car at an NI Post Office.

However, I have found that you can apply for a mainland tax disc by post up to 2 months in advance (ie you send the documentation manually). This has to be sent with a covering letter saying why you can't do it online/by phone/at a Post Office. Clearly in this case I could argue that I don't find the Post Office option convenient and the NI MOT stops me from using the online and phone options.

Banking may be different, yes. But buying car tax isn't. I've taxed my GB registered car in NI for the last two years running. No problem at all. Whoever's told you otherwise is either having you on, or ill-informed.