Due to fail MOT - Advice needed

socks_uk

As I have previously mentioned in another post, my car was crashed into by a stolen car which I have now put a claim into the MIB for.

The MOT is due 16th June and I was wondering if it's actually legal to drive the car now I know it will fail it's MOT in a month's time? I want to be able to use it to go look at new cars. I've only had people 'guessing' that it's ok because I have a current MOT certificate. Don't want to get into trouble.

p.s.

It will fail because the headlight is out of alignment although it looks 'normal' to look at at night, and it doesn't 'dazzle' other drivers.

david29dpo

from what you have said, i think the car will be fine to drive on the road.

socks_uk

Thanks...

It's terribly bad timing for this to have happened so close to the MOT, not that I wanted it to happen at all but it doesn't give me long to sort it all out.

molerat

There are 2 seperate offences. One is driving a vehicle on the road without a current MOT. The other is driving an unroadworthy vehicle. You are not guilty of the first as you have a current MOT but you could be prosecuted for the latter if stopped by the police.

oldagetraveller

If it's just headlight alignment would it not be better to have the alignment checked and set? My MOT tester adjusted one of my headlights for nothing during a test a couple of years ago. If they charge it will be comapatively cheap anyway. Unless there's a reason for the poor alignment other than only requiring adjustment?
It is an offence to drive a vehicle on the roads with defective light(s), day or night.