MOT expired and I have a windscreen chip!

MeithKorris

Right, here goes...

I bought my first car in August of 2013 and stupidly assumed for some reason that the MOT was valid for about another year. Out of curiosity, I checked the MOT certificate this morning and it expired in January. Not good at all! I already know that I am entirely to blame and take full responsibility for not confirming the duration of the certificate, but I really don't know what to do. I found another thread from a few years back (can't post links) where someone had almost the exact same problem. HOWEVER, I have a chipped windscreen that will absolutely fail an MOT. So, what do I do now?!

If I book an appointment with AutoGlass to come to my house and repair it during the day (I can share a lift to work), surely they will realise my MOT isn't valid and therefore my insurance won't pay out? And on the other hand, if I pre-book an MOT appointment at a garage and the car fails the test due to the windscreen chip, I will have the very same problem when they contact my insurance. That's if my insurance would even be made aware, I genuinely have no idea what the procedure is.

Again, I know it's my fault. I'm already angry at myself that I've been driving around for months illegally, but I'm stuck.

Advice is GREATLY appreciated!

Cheers!

Steve059

You pay for the chip repair yourself?

PS. I use the "Tart Alert" service on this website for text & e-mail reminders 6 weeks before my breakdown cover, MoT, insurance and VED. It was intended for switching credit cards, but it also works for other things. I know that you usually get reminders for all except the MOT, but it's always good to have a "Plan B".

chrisw

I don't see any reason why Autoglass would want to check your Mot. It's completely irrelevant to them. Even if they did find out the mot had expired there is no reason for them to refuse the repair or even want to, so it's highly unlikely they would tell the insurance company that the mot had expired.

Iceweasel

If you book an appointment for Autoglass to come to your house to repair the chip - all they need is your insurance details.

They have no need to know anything about when an MOT expired and certainly wont ask about it.

I have had 3 chips repaired in the last 2 years and all they needed to see was an insurance certificate.

After it's fixed, book an MOT asap.

ericonabike

You are insured. Therefore Autoglass will repair under your insurance. Your insurance is invalid, as you have worked out, but Autoglass will neither know nor care. Once the chip is sorted, book an appointment for an MOT [that is the only way you can drive an non-MOT'd car on the road] and if it passes, you are home free. And hopefully wiser!

MeithKorris

chrisw wrote: »

I don't see any reason why Autoglass would want to check your Mot. It's completely irrelevant to them. Even if they did find out the mot had expired there is no reason for them to refuse the repair or even want to, so it's highly unlikely they would tell the insurance company that the mot had expired.

Part of me thought the same, but what I meant was seeing as AutoGlass will contact my insurance for payment, wouldn't my insurance company suddenly be aware of the lack of MOT? Again, I apologise. I'm clueless!

Aretnap

It's a myth that an expired MOT invalidates your insurance. Your insurer would have no reason to refuse to pay for the repairs even if they did ask about the MOT, which they probably won't.

Glassman

Autoglass is not the only repairer.

You should also be aware that they do not repair every chip; it would need to 'qualify' or fall within their repair criteria, and not every repair they attempt is successful (partly, IMHO, due to the technician and partly down to the equipment they use). They will invite you to sign a disclaimer before they attempt a repair.

Whilst a repair shoudn't affect your NCD (unless you're with AXA or Swiftcover) do not confuse this with what effect making such a claim might have on renewal. Many prospective insurers require that you disclose these claims for up to five years after the event.

specialboy

ericonabike wrote: »

You are insured. Therefore Autoglass will repair under your insurance. Your insurance is invalid, as you have worked out, but Autoglass will neither know nor care. Once the chip is sorted, book an appointment for an MOT [that is the only way you can drive an non-MOT'd car on the road] and if it passes, you are home free. And hopefully wiser!

Absolute rubbish, why do people still repeat this cr4p?

Hintza

You can find plenty of local windscreen repair companies that will repair your chip for £30-£40. So no need to go via your insurer anyway.

I make it a point of finding anyone but Autoglass to repair your screen even i you went through insurance.

Inner_Zone

OP you mention Autoglass, but are they your insures preferred glass company? You need to check you insurance documents as it they are not you may end up paying a premium price for the repair or replacement.