Car Tax Disc Problem - advise please!

Deepmistrust

Monkey_Joe wrote: »

The only thing the OP is liable for is the back tyre and general condition of the car.

So would that go for car hire customers too then? Suppose I hired a vehicle for the weekend, would it be my responsiblity to know the vehicle is roadworthy? I wouldn't know if a tyre was legal just by looking at it.

Quentin

Deepmistrust wrote: »

So would that go for car hire customers too then? Suppose I hired a vehicle for the weekend, would it be my responsiblity to know the vehicle is roadworthy? I wouldn't know if a tyre was legal just by looking at it.

It applies to all drivers. Your insurance is invalidated if you are driving a car not roadworthy.

Learn how to check your tyres - if you get caught with illegal tyres you get 3 points per tyre (plus fine)!

Indout96

I wouldn't know if a tyre was legal just by looking at it

Are you joking ?

Deepmistrust

Indout96 wrote: »

Are you joking ?

no. That's why I asked the question. I have no idea how to check whether a tyre has the required depth etc. And more to the point, the question I asked was - would I be expected to check this on a hire car, i.e. is it my responsibility if I was stopped in a car I've hired for the weekend?

jimbms

The one thing to remember is it is not your car and you are not responsible for tax etc, so take it off the road and don't drive it until it is legal, that way you are covered.

Deepmistrust

Quentin wrote: »

It applies to all drivers. Your insurance is invalidated if you are driving a car not roadworthy.

Learn how to check your tyres - if you get caught with illegal tyres you get 3 points per tyre (plus fine)!

Surely if I hire a car for the weekend, it's on the agreement that the car is roadworthy.

Are rental customers really expected to check their vehicles for roadworthy condition to the point of checking tyre depths including the spare, and other items such as bulbs etc?

The most I've ever had to sign is to agree there is no damage to the vehicle.

Quentin

Deepmistrust wrote: »

Are rental customers really expected to check their vehicles for roadworthy condition to the point of checking tyre depths including the spare, and other items such as bulbs etc?

You learn something everyday! (Some say you should check your tyres daily - certainly you should check for flats before you set off every journey, and the tread weekly)

If you jump in a hire car then skid on bald tyres and kill yourself (and maybe others who will you blame from the next life?)

Quentin

Deepmistrust wrote: »

no. That's why I asked the question. I have no idea how to check whether a tyre has the required depth etc. And more to the point, the question I asked was - would I be expected to check this on a hire car, i.e. is it my responsibility if I was stopped in a car I've hired for the weekend?

Yes you would be responsible.

You would get the legal rap.

Maybe you would subsequently take it up with the car hire company, but that wouldn't be a defence, and the car hire company couldn't remove the conviction + points from your record.

Deepmistrust

Quentin wrote: »

You learn something everyday! (Some say you should check your tyres daily - certainly you should check for flats before you set off every journey, and the tread weekly)

If you jump in a hire car then skid on bald tyres and kill yourself (and maybe others who will you blame from the next life?)

I have to use hire cars regularly, often on the way to...say the airport. I've never noticed anyone check the tyre depths, bulbs etc, when taking charge of a vehicle, to be honest.

A flat tyre is obvious, besides the car won't drive properly with one. Remembering a tyre tread gauge is probably not something many rental customers turn up with. Like any product or service you pay for, you expect it to be in reasonable condition and fit for purpose (hence the reason when it isn't, there is a case against the vendor).

And what if it has another fault which would be a MOT failure that is not so easy to check? Would the police not apply common sense if they stopped a motorist who had just rented a vehicle for Hertz.

Quentin

How can you be sure you won't be involved in an accident whilst driving your hire car? It may not be your "fault" if the tyres are illegal, but it's your fault for driving on them (and your life!).

As previously posted, maybe now get someone to teach you how to check and start doing it.