MOTs

footyguy

Spendless wrote: »

Unable to find my current MOT certificate, I discovered an online service that told me it's due date (mid November). I popped into the garage that carried out the MOT last year and asked when the earliest was I could have the MOT done and preserve the Nov date. I was told that this is no longer possible, that if the car failed its MOT I wouldn't be able to drive on it's last years MOT. Is this correct? I work 10 miles from home in the sticks and it would be difficult to be reliant on public transport in the event of a failure on the day. I can't find anything about this change on-line.

Oh that old chestnut. :rotfl:

But the answers are all online, as any quick google will indicate

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is printed on the last pass certificate.
You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.


You can get an MOT earlier, but the MOT renewal date for the following year will be different.

https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot

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.

https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/after-the-test

That final sentence is the important factor, as the reason for failure may deem the car unroadworthy.


Whats more, the MOT test is to verify annually (for vehicles of the prescribed age) that the "vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards" for the limited areas the test concentrates upon.
It is not intended as a replacement of a routine inspection. A carefully maintained car will pass the test. If in any doubt, have your car inspected/serviced/repaired as soon as possible. An MOT test pass does not necessarily indicate a safe, roadworthy car.