2nd car, MOT expired

andygb

Given the fact that we cannot afford to run a 2nd car at the moment due to economic reasons, I have put it off road next to my garage. The MOT was due yesterday, but my usual place is not open. I am in a real dilemna. The car is a 15 year old Octavia with 190K on the clock, which has always gone through MOT's with no problem. We didn't re-insure it when we took it off the road about a month ago. I cannot decide what to do with it?

AdrianC

Your basic choices...
1. Put it back on the road and use it.
2. Sell it.
2a. Put an MOT on it and sell it with fresh ticket for ~£500.
2b. Sell it without ticket for ~£100.
3. Scrap it.
4. Leave it there over winter until you figure out what to do.

2a would make most sense to me, given the reason you've taken it off the road. But you will need to insure it to take it for the MOT, and then tax it if you want people to test-drive it legally. Cancel insurance and tax when it sells.

facade

If it isn't in the way, just leave it there, and in 5 or 6 years the scrapman can take it.

Should you need a car in the next 12 months or so, you only need to insure it and take it for MOT.

Much longer and you are going to have to replace brake discs etc before you can use it.

From the sound of it, it owes you nothing and is worth pennies at the moment, wheras getting another car would cost.

I assume it is SORN'd and meets the requirements.

andygb

facade said:

If it isn't in the way, just leave it there, and in 5 or 6 years the scrapman can take it.

Should you need a car in the next 12 months or so, you only need to insure it and take it for MOT.

Much longer and you are going to have to replace brake discs etc before you can use it.

From the sound of it, it owes you nothing and is worth pennies at the moment, wheras getting another car would cost.

I assume it is SORN'd and meets the requirements.

Still taxed, so not SORN'd.

facade

andygb said:

Still taxed, so not SORN'd.

Bad, Bad, BAD!!!!

You must insure or SORN a vehicle (and keep it off the road). It is an absolute offence (Continuous insurance), and fines are automatically generated, although rumour has it that they send a reminder letter first, then a £100 fixed penalty (reduced to £50 if paid quickly), then see you in court for upto £1000 fine.

Driving an uninsured vehicle is a different offence.

AdrianC

andygb said:

facade said:

I assume it is SORN'd and meets the requirements.

Still taxed, so not SORN'd.

SORN it NOW. No, NOW.

It's been illegal since 2011 to have a taxed but uninsured car, even if it's off the road.

andygb

Cheers for the heads up, now insured.

Hasbeen

So you have decided to keep car?

Even though you stated you cannot afford to run it.

Would have been no cost to SORN it online.

If you MOT it now and sell, you will have to cancel your new insurance.

Aretnap

AdrianC said:

2a would make most sense to me, given the reason you've taken it off the road. But you will need to insure it to take it for the MoT.. 

Or you could find a garage that will send someone to collect it. Their trade policy will provide the necessary cover to take it to/from the test.

Test driving an untaxed, uninsured car is still, erm, problematic, as the kids say.

I wouldn't be paying for insurance now unless I was planning to do something with it imminently. You can legally leave it on your driveway uninsured while you decide what to do, you just have to fill in a Sorn declaration which takes a couple of minutes online. 

MalMonroe

andygb said:

facade said:

If it isn't in the way, just leave it there, and in 5 or 6 years the scrapman can take it.

Should you need a car in the next 12 months or so, you only need to insure it and take it for MOT.

Much longer and you are going to have to replace brake discs etc before you can use it.

From the sound of it, it owes you nothing and is worth pennies at the moment, wheras getting another car would cost.

I assume it is SORN'd and meets the requirements.

Still taxed, so not SORN'd.

You can SORN it and apply for a tax refund, per this link (scroll down)  https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification. 

Why did you insure it? You still have no MOT and have said you can't afford to run it. Now it's half and half, insured and taxed with no MOT.
 
This just sounds crazy. You could have SORNd it and got your tax back, left it uninsured and without MOT and tax off the road until you were able to do something with it. Now, I'm just confused.

nottsphil

MalMonroe said:

andygb said:

facade said:

If it isn't in the way, just leave it there, and in 5 or 6 years the scrapman can take it.

Should you need a car in the next 12 months or so, you only need to insure it and take it for MOT.

Much longer and you are going to have to replace brake discs etc before you can use it.

From the sound of it, it owes you nothing and is worth pennies at the moment, wheras getting another car would cost.

I assume it is SORN'd and meets the requirements.

Still taxed, so not SORN'd.

Why did you insure it? You still have no MOT and have said you can't afford to run it. Now it's half and half, insured and taxed with no MOT.
 
This just sounds crazy. You could have SORNd it and got your tax back, left it uninsured and without MOT and tax off the road until you were able to do something with it. Now, I'm just confused.

I very much suspect it's because of this

AdrianC said:

andygb said:

facade said:

I assume it is SORN'd and meets the requirements.

Still taxed, so not SORN'd.

It's been illegal since 2011 to have a taxed but uninsured car, even if it's off the road.

andygb said:

Cheers for the heads up, now insured.

these being consecutive posts. I believe the OP has acted on this to avoid  breaking the Law (his car being both taxed and off-road).
Oh dear, Adrian is normally so dependable!