Driving car to/from MOT testing station

Seamonster_2

This is probably a daft question but I’ll ask anyway!

My daughter has an old Nissan Micra that has been sitting SORNed on our drive for over a year while she was studying abroad. Now she’s back and wants to sell the car.

It’s not in bad nick and we were wondering whether it would be worth trying to get it MOT’d to boost the potential sale price. My question is: Would it be legal for me to drive it to an MOT testing station with no tax, no MOT (obviously), and presumably no insurance (my insurance covers me for other cars but I think that’s only if someone else is also insured for that car)?

Also, if it was OK to do that, where would I stand if the car failed? Could I then drive it home?

scheming_gypsy

You will need insurance on the car before you can drive it. Your best option would be to phone the nearest MOT station to see if they can arrange collection as they'll be insured on their traders policy.

[Deleted User]

You are allowed to drive a car to and from an MOT test, provided you have booked the appointment in advance. It's wise to check with your insurance company that you will be covered for this first.

(Moneysaving tip: Take it to the local council VTS, not a garage.)

Aretnap

You don't need tax or MOT to drive to a prearranged MOT appointment, but you MUST have insurance. You can get short term insurance for not a lot of money (Google "day insurance"), or you can look for an MOT station which will send someone to come and collect it on a trader's policy.

The exemption only applies to the certificate itself and not to the condition of the car - so it must also be roadworthy. If it has (say) dodgy brakes or bald tyres you must either get it fixed where it is, or have it towed to the garage. Doesn't sound like it's an issue for you, but be aware.

mattyprice4004

jack_pott wrote: »

You are allowed to drive a car to and from an MOT test, provided you have booked the appointment in advance. It's wise to check with your insurance company that you will be covered for first.

(Moneysaving tip: Take it to the local council VTS, not a garage.)

THIS IS WRONG!

If he has DOC, this will NOT cover him to drive an uninsured vehicle. The car will still be uninsured and driving it to the MOT will be an offence.

The car needs insurance in force for DOC to apply.

Aretnap

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

If he has DOC, this will NOT cover him to drive an uninsured vehicle. The car will still be uninsured and driving it to the MOT will be an offence.

The car needs insurance in force for DOC to apply.

That may or may not be true - it depends on the terms of his policy. Some require the other car to have its own policy for DOC to apply, others don't. He should read the small print carefully.

Some policies limit DOC cover where the other car is owned by a close relative - this is also something he should check won;t be a problem.

Retrogamer

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

THIS IS WRONG!

If he has DOC, this will NOT cover him to drive an uninsured vehicle. The car will still be uninsured and driving it to the MOT will be an offence.

The car needs insurance in force for DOC to apply.

The post mades a correct statement and doesn't state you can do it without insurance. In fact it says check with your insurance to make sure you're covered first...

marlot

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

You will need insurance on the car before you can drive it. Your best option would be to phone the nearest MOT station to see if they can arrange collection as they'll be insured on their traders policy.

I agree that this is the best approach.

Rolandtheroadie

How olds old? What do they normally sell for? (not asking prices, try ebay advanced search and compare it to others that have sold).

You might be lucky and it doesnt need anything (or much) but as you've paid for an MOT, and paid to get it there and back, you're probably more likely to spend more on it to get that MOT.

If it's a £500 car with a years ticket, unless you can do repairs yourself, I wouldnt take the chance.

fivetide

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

You will need insurance on the car before you can drive it. Your best option would be to phone the nearest MOT station to see if they can arrange collection as they'll be insured on their traders policy.

Agreed.

Remember you can't tow it without insurance either. People have been caught out with this before so apologies if it seems patronising but thought it worth mentioning!

Seamonster_2

Thanks for the helpful responses.

In reply to scotsman4th's post, the car is R-reg so 97/98. It seems 1-day insurance would cost me about £20. I must admit I'm wondering whether it's worth it - with that £20 plus the MOT cost, would it add enough to the selling price to make it worthwhile? That's assuming it passes, of course, which is by no means guaranteed.

I'll give it a little more thought, but I'm tempted to just stick the car on eBay as it is and see what happens.