Quick MOT question - can drive after fail if old cert still in date?

the182guy

I've just booked my car in for an MOT for tomorrow. It doesn't expire until next Wednesday and the issue is that the 'workshop' side of the garage is closed until next week, only the MOT testing side is open this week. So if it fails and needs any jobs doing they can't do it until next week.

I'm pretty sure the back brake shoes need doing and it will fail, so can the car legally be driven over the weekend with a fail, but the old certificate still in date?

I'm now thinking it's not worth the hassle and change the MOT for Monday.

TIA

somech

yes it can be driven until the current mot expires (even if it fails tomorrow)

[Deleted User]

Take it to another garage for repair. And if you are sure the back brakes need seeing too, why don't you get them sorted before the MOT?

Weirdlittleman

somech wrote: »

yes it can be driven until the current mot expires (even if it fails tomorrow)

Not exactly true

Yes it can still be driven after a MOT fail if the certificate is still valid, however, it is illegal to drive an unroadworthy car so the OP needs to use some common sense and discretion.

If he was to crash or knock someone down after being told he had dodgy breaks he could well face proseuction or extreme financial hardship when insurers don't pay out.

Quentin

It makes no difference whether you have an MOT or not - driving with defective brakes is a criminal offence (as well as just being stupid)

somech

the182guy wrote: »

I've just booked my car in for an MOT for tomorrow. It doesn't expire until next Wednesday and the issue is that the 'workshop' side of the garage is closed until next week, only the MOT testing side is open this week. So if it fails and needs any jobs doing they can't do it until next week.

I'm pretty sure the back brake shoes need doing and it will fail, so can the car legally be driven over the weekend with a fail, but the old certificate still in date?

I'm now thinking it's not worth the hassle and change the MOT for Monday.

TIA

what makes you think the rear brakes need looking at?

LandyAndy

The linings could be worn to the point where they need replacing but still exert the required braking effort for the test.

HannahIOW

If a car is MOT'd early and fails then the failure technically does over ride the previous mot...

liam8282

Let's be fair here, the OP doesn't appear to be a mechanic, the brakes have not been assessed as being defective or faulty yet, so at the present time the car isn't actually unroadworthy, it also isn't a criminal offence to think your brakes might need changing soon.

Can't you take it to a garage that can do both MOT & repairs on the same day? It seems it must be a small garage if they cannot do an MOT and change the brakes in the same day, it is not exactly a massive job.

Hintza

Think it has all been covered here. If you are happy with the garage then why not reschedule for Monday and then you don't have the dilemma.

The other thing is you only have a certain amount of time to re-present for a re-test (no doubt the garage are willing to do it later than they are obliged to) so you might want to just check that.

somech

HannahIOW wrote: »

If a car is MOT'd early and fails then the failure technically does over ride the previous mot...

no the current mot is still valid even if it fails.
a lot of people have early tests to give them time to repair the car.