MOT Due 30th May

datostar

Honest John's website said yesterday in response to a query that vehicles kept off-road without a valid MOT need to be sorned until they can be taken by appointment to a testing station. I'm not sure that this is correct as I thought Sorn was more to do with insurance. My MOT isn't due until June but as an over 70 I'm following the self-isolation advice and might be caught by this. Does anyone know the definitive requirements about Sorn being necessary for vehicles without an MOT?

neilmcl

It's pretty simple. You can't have a vehicle on the road without it being taxed and you can't tax a vehicle unless it has a valid MOT, ergo if you can't MOT your vehicle for whatever reason then you must take it of the road and SORN it..

facade

You can't have a vehicle on the road without valid tax and MOT. (unless you are driving to or from a pre-arranged MOT appointment), or insurance.

You can't purchase tax without a valid MOT on the day the tax comes into force.

There is no requirement to SORN a vehicle with valid insurance and valid tax, but it cannot be kept* or driven on the road. (except driven to that pre-arranged MOT)

https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification

*There is a general consensus that parking a vehicle on the road counts as "using" it.

You could SORN it today, if it is in the garage, then tax it on Monday, paying twice for March, but there will still be a valid MOT on the day the tax starts, so you will have 12 months tax sorted.

Nick_C

I've looked through the draft emergency legislation and can't see any provision for this.

I live in a village. If I can't drive, I can't get food.

My MOT is due 15 May. I'm going to try and get it done next week. 

Car_54

facade said:

You can't have a vehicle on the road without valid tax and MOT. (unless you are driving to or from a pre-arranged MOT appointment), or insurance.

You can't purchase tax without a valid MOT on the day the tax comes into force.

There is no requirement to SORN a vehicle with valid insurance and valid tax, but it cannot be kept* or driven on the road. (except driven to that pre-arranged MOT)

https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification

*There is a general consensus that parking a vehicle on the road counts as "using" it.

You could SORN it today, if it is in the garage, then tax it on Monday, paying twice for March, but there will still be a valid MOT on the day the tax starts, so you will have 12 months tax sorted.

Have I missed something? The OP has a valid MOT until the end of May, and hasn't mentioned tax. Why would he want to do anything you've suggested?

facade

Car_54 said:

Have I missed something? The OP has a valid MOT until the end of May, and hasn't mentioned tax. Why would he want to do anything you've suggested?

The posts above mine.

If you are worried that you might not be able to get a future MOT so as to be able to tax a car, tax it now.  Not moneysaving, but a month's tax is probably cheap compared to worrying. The alternative (also not moneysaving, but I suggested it to the OP) is to get the MOT now, but there seems to be a problem with that, as the MOT version of panic buying kicks in.

Driving a (roadworthy) car without MOT if you want to risk it is "only" a fine, £100 fixed penalty usually, or go to court and prove that you couldn't get one, and your journey is essential and see if it cuts any ice.  No tax risks being clamped when parked, a huge release fee, and a massive fine courtesy of the DVLA, and you can bet the clampers will still be working, whereas the Police will likely have more to worry about than stopping cars with an out of date MOT.

BikingBud

See:
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot
Quite clear really!

Andystriker

Thanks to everyone for the repilies.

I decided to get the MOT on Friday and was lucky enough to find a local test station with a slot available.

The Tax also runs out on 31st May, but now I should be okay to Tax the car when I need to at the end of May.

I can now go and look after my older relatives and try to get their food essentials over the coming months without worry of the car MOT.

Jackmydad

insert_random_name_here said:

Your local independent garage is very likely going to be hurting badly at the moment due to a sharp drop in business. I know that's the case in my village. Book the car in for an MOT now and you'll be doing them a favour. Our towns and villages are going to be awful places when this is all over if a significant number of local shops and businesses have gone bust. 

I took mine to the garage I use for it's annual service and MOT on Wednesday, and they said they were extremely busy. 
But as you imply, if these places are allowed to go bust a recovery will take much longer. 

AdrianC

Garages need to keep running - especially in rural areas. Keyworkers rely on their cars.

Obviously, they're going to be running at lower staff... so expect things to take longer, but they shouldn't be closing. Parts supply might become patchier, too.