MOT out of date

Eliza_2

Thanks, can't imagine how rear seatbelts could contribute to injuring someone as I won't be carrying any passengers.

Various garages and I have tried breakers, suppliers etc etc all round country for what is needed, sourced eventually in London and being sorted next week so no problem there. Yes I thought it would be easier too which is why I left it till last minute. Silly me!!

Van it is.

bigjl

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

I'd take the back seats out and take it for an MOT (would that work?)

or... again.. no idea of the legalities on this one as its a bit cheeky; the law states that you can only drive to a pre-booked MOT. It doesn't state you have to actually turn up and have it MOT'ed, so you could book it in for two MOT's, one at your destination (after you intend to arrive) and one near home on the day you had back....

The Police are very wise to such scams as this.

Might get away with when driving a new purchase 20 odd miles back from an auction.

But do you seriously think your advice is responsible?

If the OP is intending on using the car and just wanted to confirm that the insurance wasn't automatically void needs to consider that every insurance co is different.

The reason your insurance isn't invalidated immediatly is so the motorist can drive to a pre booked MOT, not so the car driver can go on a long trip after forgetting to MOT their car.

The Police are very good at phoning Insurance companies at the side of the road, if the Insurance company is convinced that you are happy to drive without an MOT this proves that you have not kept the car properly maintained and roadworthy, and it is entirerly possible that they can decide to cancel your policy there and then, leaving you uninsured.

So, no it isn't automatic, but it is possible if you do get a tug.

I watched one of those Road Wars type programs where they did exactly this.

I ran it past a Traffic Copper a while later to confirm and he said some Insurance companies will cancel the policy at the roadside, some won't, as it is always possible to forget, but knowing it has ran out and driving anyway is a different situation to forgetting.

Renting a van is the best and safest option.

For example if you were rear ended the other party insurer may use your lack of MOT against you.

catflea

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.

Absolute tosh. Unless the faulty seatbelt is a cause of the accident they should still pay out. (if they dont then its a case for the ombudsman) if the car is a writeoff though it will be de-valued due to lack of MOT. In fact even if the car wasn't roadworthy then they still have to pay out and approach you to recover their costs!

Its really not worth the risk though, I would suggest that hiring a suitable vehicle is a far more sensible solution, no risk, no hassle.

If you are pulled with no MOT can the police insist that the vehicle is recovered somewhere rather than driving on? I know that if there's no insurance they will impound and crush it these days...

shaun_from_Africa

If someone bumped your car the other insurance wouldn't pay out as they would say your car ain't road worthy.

But as we all know, an MOT certificate isn't proof that a vehicle is roadworthy at all. All it means is that the car met certain standards on the day it was tested.

MichaelCR

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.

Vehicle Insurance will be invalid, Which can lead to loads of serious issues should you be invalid in any sort of accident.

You are not allowed to drive a car with an expired MOT Unless you are driving to a MOT Test center to have the MOT Done.

catflea

MichaelCR wrote: »

Vehicle Insurance will be invalid, Which can lead to loads of serious issues should you be invalid in any sort of accident.

A common misconception.

If the vehicle is roadworthy then its covered. If the vehicle is unroadworthy or there is a fault that is a contributory factor in the accident then it may not be. There are ombudsman rulings to this effect.

Although, I think in this case as its a case of pre-meditated illegal activity the OP might have a few problems

shaun_from_Africa

If the vehicle is roadworthy then its covered. If the vehicle is unroadworthy or there is a fault that is a contributory factor in the accident then it may not be.

And even then it will only be insurance for your vehicle that is invalidated. The 3rd party risk cover will still be in place.

sarahg1969

catflea wrote: »

Absolute tosh. Unless the faulty seatbelt is a cause of the accident they should still pay out. (if they dont then its a case for the ombudsman).

You'd have no recourse to the ombudsman if the other driver's insurers refused to pay out.

However, they wouldn't refuse to pay out on the basis of no MOT, of course. In fact, the likelihood is that they would never even find out.

vaio

Whole heap of nonsense being talked on here (again) about lack of MOT invalidating insurance

What really matters in this case is how old is the vehicle and how heavy it is

Care to share OP?

Eliza_2

Doesn't matter now as I'm getting a van. It just proves though that it's not just me who has read conflicting advice - I'm still not sure I know but in my case I'm not taking the risk.

As a matter of interest, would it be any different if the MOT had been failed (on the seatbelt?) and then driven before having the fault fixed and MOT redone?