Urgent advise for Toyota Yaris and mot

sally2489

Hi everyone
I am hoping someone/anyone can offer advise regarding my car. 

I’m a single mum, have prior health issues, been shielding due to low immunity and haven’t been out since end of February. 

I’m sure I haven’t had coronavirus, but I’ve had symptoms of low calcium/vitamin levels associated with my condition, so I’ve barely had energy to get through each day. It’s been impossible trying to arrange a blood test for this, but that’s another story! 

Anyway, my Toyota Yaris hasn’t been driven since I last went out. It is taxed from beginning of February, but the mot expired on 29th March. (One day before the new mot rules came into place). 

I’ve emailed dvla querying if I can get a mot extension considering the circumstances. They were sympathetic, but said that wouldn’t be possible, as the legislation is only for cars with mot expiring 30th March or later. 

So the car has had no mot since that date. (It’s been parked on the rd outside and not been driven at all). 

Today I went to open the car, but the back doors And boot weren’t opening. Both car fobs I have didn’t seem to be working properly, but then one of them clicked and I was able to open the front doors. I have no idea what the problem is, if it’s to do with the car or the car fobs. 

Also I’ve had a letter from Toyota that there is some recall they need to do for the airbags, and if this isn’t done then the mot won’t be valid. 

Please advise What the car problem. Could be? Is it the car battery? 

where I can start with this? Do I contact Toyota to take the car for the recall, then call a garage Like Kwik fit to collect for the mot? 

poppy12345

Batteries in your keys may need replacing..

sally2489

poppy12345 said:

Batteries in your keys may need replacing..

I thought that, but I was confused that both the key and the spare key didn’t work at the same time, and the front doors opened fine, only the boot and back doors don’t open. 

daveyjp

Fob batteries will be fine,  The car battery is probably flat.  Try and start the car.  If it doesn't start you need it charging.

Grumpy_chap

It does sound like a flat car battery, rather than fob battery.  Either charge from the mains, or a simple jump start should do the trick.

Even though the MOT has expired, you are allowed to drive to a pre-booked MOT without one.  You can choose any garage for the MOT, but assume only Toyota will be able to do the air bag recall.  If there is no difference in cost for the MOT, it might be simplest to get both done together (and Toyota may offer a collect-and-return service which Kiwk Fit may not - that may be simpler if you are still shielding).

roddydogs

Dont know what being a single mum has to do with anything, but as above if its the battery , are you in a breakdown service? They will start the car, and leave it running for 20 mins, obviously keeping an eye on it. It will then need to be  booked into an  mot station when they are back taking bookings, and you cant drive it before then, ( well legally anyway) 

sally2489

Thank you for all your replies, I didn’t even think of the breakdown service. 

I will get quotes and see what price differences are, and it will definitely be easier to get both done together. roddydogs said:

Dont know what being a single mum has to do with anything, but as above if its the battery , are you in a breakdown service? They will start the car, and leave it running for 20 mins, obviously keeping an eye on it. It will then need to be  booked into an  mot station when they are back taking bookings, and you cant drive it before then, ( well legally anyway) 

Thank you, I didn’t know about running it for 20 minutes either. 

I thought I’d state my circumstances in case someone said I should have got The mot done before the lockdown or if I should drive it to the garage/Nissan myself. 

roddydogs

Should have added the 20min bit only really applies to a good battery, if its knackared that 20min charge wont last long.

sally2489

roddydogs said:

Should have added the 20min bit only really applies to a good battery, if its knackared that 20min charge wont last long.

Thanks, it is 14 plate, is that considered old now? Is it likely to need replacing? 

Sorry, don’t have a clue about cars. 

Dr_Crypto

Sounds like a flat battery on the car. Try starting it to find out. 
If you're shielding and not going out it doesn't really matter about the MOT but you can't drive without one although you can drive to a pre-booked MOT appointment. I don't see any point in getting your car collected for an MOT at this juncture as you're still shielding and won't be going out for some time yet. 

Grumpy_chap

sally2489 said:

roddydogs said:

Should have added the 20min bit only really applies to a good battery, if its knackared that 20min charge wont last long.

Thanks, it is 14 plate, is that considered old now? Is it likely to need replacing? 

Sorry, don’t have a clue about cars. 

The battery in a 14 plate should be fine - it really looks like this is just because the car has not been used for a number of weeks and there should be nothing to worry about really.  It is just all a hassle I am sure you could do without.