Query re MOT Expiry Date and Early Fail

Savannah02K

Hoping someone can just clarify this for me. My MOT expires on 3 August, if I take the car in earlier than that, say next week, and it fails the MOT, I am still covered by the 'original' MOT Certificate aren't I, i.e. the one that goes to the 3 August?

Reason for asking is that I'm actually getting another car at end of July but I'm giving the old one to a relative once I get my new car. We agreed I'd get it MOT'd and he'd pay for an repairs necessary but I can't be without a car so if it fails, I'll still have to drive it until it can be repaired.

I'm just worried as I know that if you're driving without an MOT your insurance is invalid but I wasn't sure how that works if you have last year's MOT Cert that's still 'live.' Thanks.

glentoran99

You still have a valid MOT if it fails early

glentoran99

https://www.autonetinsurance.co.uk/autonet-insurance-company-blog/autonet-insurance-company-blog/2012/03/09/failed-mot-can-i-drive-my-vehicle-

Crag30

I'm sure that if it fails an MOT it is not legal to drive, unless returning for a re-test, ie you can't use the previous MOT test certificate.
An MOT fail will show on the system, and would void your insurance.

AdrianC

Yes, you can continue to drive it - you have a valid MOT until the expiry date.
If the car is not roadworthy, then it's illegal to drive regardless of the fail - it wasn't roadworthy before the tester pointed it out to you...

glentoran99

Crag30 wrote: »

I'm sure that if it fails an MOT it is not legal to drive, unless returning for a re-test, ie you can't use the previous MOT test certificate.
An MOT fail will show on the system, and would void your insurance.

Not true,


If it was failed on something that make it dangerous then you could be prosecuted if stopped by police. However it does not void a valid MOT, it changes nothing, Something could go wrong with your car driving out of the MOT and still cause this to happen

Quentin

Crag30 wrote: »

I'm sure that if it fails an MOT it is not legal to drive, unless returning for a re-test, ie you can't use the previous MOT test certificate.
An MOT fail will show on the system, and would void your insurance.

All wrong! Ignore this "advice"


An MOT cert is valid till it expires!


(If a fail really meant it is not legal to drive and your insurance was void then all the testing centres would be car parks for failed and uninsured vehicles stuck there!)

Norman_Castle

Savannah02K wrote: »

I'm just worried as I know that if you're driving without an MOT your insurance is invalid

Your insurance is valid without a current mot.

facade

As above, the old MOT remains perfectly valid.

However, if there is any joined up thinking at the sharp end of government, the "fail" reasons just might be communicated to other agencies, so if you were to be unfortunate enough to pass one of the 2 Police cars operating outside of London, they might possibly know and stop you for a check.

So, as also noted above, if the fail is on something dangerous that makes it unroadworthy, you would be in trouble driving it if it hadn't been fixed. The offence would be one of driving an unroadworthy vehicle, rather than having no valid MOT.

(Presumably if it were on something like no washer fluid, a bald tyre, or a bulb out you would have sorted it and got it re-tested)

d123

Crag30 wrote: »

I'm sure that if it fails an MOT it is not legal to drive, unless returning for a re-test, ie you can't use the previous MOT test certificate.
An MOT fail will show on the system, and would void your insurance.

You shouldn't post your opinion in the guise of being fact when it is completely wrong.

If you were so sure how did you get it so wrong?

consumers_revenge

Quentin wrote: »

All wrong! Ignore this "advice"


An MOT cert is valid till it expires!


(If a fail really meant it is not legal to drive and your insurance was void then all the testing centres would be car parks for failed and uninsured vehicles stuck there!)

No they wouldn't because you would be taking it to and back from a prearranged MOT


I always used to think the previous MOT covered it but it doesn't. Check the GOV website.


Say my tyres are now bold but were not 11 months ago. MOT centre fails both tyres, its unroadworthy and hence illegal.


Driving a vehicle that’s failed

You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid.
If your MOT has run out you can take your vehicle to:

• have the failed defects fixed
• a pre-arranged MOT test appointment

In both cases, your vehicle still needs to meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times or you can be fined.