MOT expired, what happens if it fails the test?

interstellaflyer

Had a bit of a doh! moment, I put in my diary MOT due on the 20th September, however, on Saturday I got a reminder from the AA saying my MOT was due today (Sat 8th) the car, a MK2 Focus Ghia 1.6 petrol has only done 5000 miles since last MOT, hopefully I'm not expecting any major issues, I'm fitting new front discs and pads this Friday because to me the condition of the discs looks iffy and sods law, the drivers seat collapsed last week so I've got a new seat to fit.

My question is, I understand I can drive the car to a test center, but what if it fails, am I at the mercy of the test garage, the cynic in me says they will have me by the spherical objects and may quote accordingly, what freedom do I have to get other quotes and the work done elsewhere if necessary and also what about driving a car that's failed an MOT, to a garage to have repairs done?

knightstyle

From .gov
Driving a vehicle that’s failed
You can take your vehicle away if:

your current MOT certificate is still valid
no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed in the MOT
Otherwise, you’ll need to get it repaired before you can drive.

If you can take your vehicle away, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times.

interstellaflyer

knightstyle wrote: »

From .gov
Driving a vehicle that’s failed
You can take your vehicle away if:

your current MOT certificate is still valid
no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed in the MOT
Otherwise, you’ll need to get it repaired before you can drive.

If you can take your vehicle away, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times.

As it's expired I assume any garage potentially has carte blanche to rip me off?

AdrianC

Quite simply, you're committing exactly the same offences driving away from a garage after a fail as you did on the way to it.

If it's roadworthy, then you're simply driving without an MOT. (No, it won't cause you to be uninsured...)
If it's unroadworthy, then how long have you been driving around in an unroadworthy car, with or without a ticket?

interstellaflyer

AdrianC wrote: »

Q
If it's unroadworthy, then how long have you been driving around in an unroadworthy car, with or without a ticket?

I haven't been driving it without a ticket as I use the car for personal and recreational stuff, I rarely drive to work, the car being off the road for a coupe of weeks is no big deal.

As for roadworthy, the disc are being changed because I thought they were borderline on checking them, the drivers seat collapsed last week, other than that, the car seems to stop ok, doesn't pull in either direction, it drives straight and true, the shock absorbers look fine, the springs are ok, there are no knocks or bangs when going round bends or turning and the car handles great, the tyres were fitted just before the last MOT and have only done 5000 miles, no uneven wear, there are no obvious signs of rot, all the lights work, lenses are clear (no dulling) there are no warning lights and the exhaust looks ok.

chrisw

Are you sure it's actually expired yet?

The AA or a garage would normally contact you about 3 weeks in advance of expiry to give you time to get it mot tested and any repairs sorted. That would tie in with your diary entry.

Check the expiry date here:-

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

interstellaflyer

chrisw wrote: »

Are you sure it's actually expired yet?

The AA or a garage would normally contact you about 3 weeks in advance of expiry to give you time to get it mot tested and any repairs sorted. That would tie in with your diary entry.

Check the expiry date here:-

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Yes definitely expired on Saturday I've checked .gov and my paperwork, like I said a doh! moment, I don't know why I put the 20th in my diary. And no, I didn't receive any other alerts from the AA (something I will be talking to them about) and no reminders from garages either, possibly because it was MOT'd by the previous owner then traded.

AdrianC

Garages might give reminders to their customers as a courtesy, but they're under no obligation to - nor are the AA or whoever.


You can sign up direct with DVSA to get reminders - free...
https://www.gov.uk/mot-reminder

macman

Take it to an LA test centre. They don't do repairs, so have no incentive to fail you.

tonyh66

macman wrote: »

Take it to an LA test centre. They don't do repairs, so have no incentive to fail you.

I use an independant MOT centre which does no repairs its the best way to do it.

Herzlos

macman wrote: »

Take it to an LA test centre. They don't do repairs, so have no incentive to fail you.

But if you do fail, you'll need to pay for the test twice because they won't be able to give you the free retest.