MOT out of date

Eliza_2

Can anyone clarify the rules about out of date MOTs? I've heard conflicting views.

My MOT ran out at the weekend and before it can pass it has to have some specialist work done - nothing at all that affects roadworthiness. I have an appointment arranged to have this work done next Wednesday and am booked in for the MOT on Thursday. Until then my car is parked on my private land and I won't be using it - except....I now need to drive around 100 miles for a family dilemma at the weekend. As the MOT is out of date, does this also invalidate my insurance and car tax? Both of those are fine and recently renewed.

I've heard that as long as I have booked for the MOT then if there is a problem my insurance will still be valid - is this truly the case?

I know I have been stupid - forgetful more like, in not sorting this out beforehand but feel fortunate that I have the appointment next Wed as the main dealer couldn't do it before September as it would have involved imported parts!!! I didn't realise it would be so hard to sort out.

I would be grateful for guidance, unfortunately I can't get to where I need to be at the weekend by public transport or I would have done that and problem solved.

pendulum

You've said the work doesn't affect roadworthiness. If this is true then your insurance will still be valid. An expired MoT doesn't automatically cancel insurance, or tax. You will be breaking the law by driving without an MoT but there are no points on the licence for that offence, so it will be up to you whether you want to risk the fine. If you do get caught I think the fine is £60 and you could have to pay a bit more for insurance every year for 5 years when you declare the fixed penalty you received.

shaun_from_Africa

Having no MOT will not invalidate your insurance (provided the car is still roadworthy) or car tax, and you can leave it parked on private land with no problems.

However, you are not legally allowed to drive the car on the road unless you are going to or from a prebooked MOT test, so doing the journey at the weekend could land you in trouble if stopped.

I don't know if the police ANPR camera system is tied in to the MOT database, but if it is then you might well get ticketed.

Eliza_2

Thank you, it's a rear passenger seatbelt problem and I won't be carrying passengers, rarely do in fact.

If I am fined then that's my own stupid fault and serves me right, as long as my insurance isn't invalidated. Thank you for your help.

wealdroam

You could perhaps hire a car.

burtons

Eliza wrote: »

Can anyone clarify the rules about out of date MOTs? I've heard conflicting views.

My MOT ran out at the weekend and before it can pass it has to have some specialist work done - nothing at all that affects roadworthiness. I have an appointment arranged to have this work done next Wednesday and am booked in for the MOT on Thursday. Until then my car is parked on my private land and I won't be using it - except....I now need to drive around 100 miles for a family dilemma at the weekend. As the MOT is out of date, does this also invalidate my insurance and car tax? Both of those are fine and recently renewed.

I've heard that as long as I have booked for the MOT then if there is a problem my insurance will still be valid - is this truly the case?

I know I have been stupid - forgetful more like, in not sorting this out beforehand but feel fortunate that I have the appointment next Wed as the main dealer couldn't do it before September as it would have involved imported parts!!! I didn't realise it would be so hard to sort out.

I would be grateful for guidance, unfortunately I can't get to where I need to be at the weekend by public transport or I would have done that and problem solved.

This boy i work with got caught with no mot and he had a £60 fine on the spot.

burtons

Eliza wrote: »

Thank you, it's a rear passenger seatbelt problem and I won't be carrying passengers, rarely do in fact.

If I am fined then that's my own stupid fault and serves me right, as long as my insurance isn't invalidated. Thank you for your help.

A seatbealt is part of the mot so would fail. If someone bumped your car the other insurance wouldn't pay out as they would say your car ain't road worthy.

LandyAndy

Is the MoT being done at the same place as is fixing the belt? If not then it would be illegal to drive to the repairer. The chances of you being caught are pretty small though as I assume it isn't far from your home.

LandyAndy

burtons wrote: »

A seatbealt is part of the mot so would fail. If someone bumped your car the other insurance wouldn't pay out as they would say your car ain't road worthy.

Really? ............

Eliza_2

Thanks all, really helpful advice. I couldn't hire a car, though maybe a van, as mine is a campervan conversion and I need the space to carry some bulky items. Yes both the repairers (coming up from London, can't get it done locally) and the MOT garage are within 10 miles of home, I'm in the Midlands. That wouldn't be too big a risk, it's just this weekend that's the problem.

It really does totally serve me right and I'll just have to take the chance. So angry with myself!!!

And burtons, I don't see how a damaged rear passenger seatbelt makes the car unroadworthy but I take your point re insurance - you're quite right it would fail the MOT though.

shaun_from_Africa

I know it's normally a £60 fine, but it could possibly be far higher than this. The maximum permissible fine for no MOT is £1000.