MOT – When is the best time?

Grey_Critic

eamon said:

For me the primary advantage of getting an MOT done within a month of expiry is that it buys notice time incase there are items that need addressing.

The most sensible answer. The reason for the 28 day prior MOT was to take the pressure off garages. Hundreds of customers wanting an MOT - there were not enough hours in the day.

Having time to arrange for a repair or obtain the parts means you have your pride and joy off road for the smallest time.

My car was due 3rd January but was serviced and MOTd on 8th December - handy for both me and the garage.

Car_54

Grey_Critic said:

eamon said:

For me the primary advantage of getting an MOT done within a month of expiry is that it buys notice time incase there are items that need addressing.

The most sensible answer. The reason for the 28 day prior MOT was to take the pressure off garages. Hundreds of customers wanting an MOT - there were not enough hours in the day.

Unless I’m missing something, that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Regardless of the expiry dates, there’s still the same number of cars, and the same number of available days.

photome

Car_54 said:

Grey_Critic said:

eamon said:

For me the primary advantage of getting an MOT done within a month of expiry is that it buys notice time incase there are items that need addressing.

The most sensible answer. The reason for the 28 day prior MOT was to take the pressure off garages. Hundreds of customers wanting an MOT - there were not enough hours in the day.

Unless I’m missing something, that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Regardless of the expiry dates, there’s still the same number of cars, and the same number of available days.

 More cars are sold on the new reg days so many cars are due an MOT on those 2 days ( obviously used to be one day). Would have been far to many for garages to carry out MOTs on those days so in that regard it makes sense to me

HHarry

The AA’s take on Dangerous, Major and Minor defects.

https://www.theaa.com/mot/advice/what-do-i-do-if-my-mot-fails

Dangerous (Fail) - Unroadworthy
Major (Fail) - Not necessarily unroadworthy, can drive the car (to get it fixed)
Minor (Pass) - Needs attention

marlot

The law regards lack of MOT as an admin failure - so a small-ish fine but no points.

The law regards driving a dangerous car much more seriously - big fine and points.

If your car fails its MOT, you may well have driven it in dangerous condition to the MOT centre.

An MOT remains valid until its expiry date.  

To take an example.  I might get a dangerous fail for a worn/damaged tyre.  I could make the car safe again by putting on the spare wheel.  I committed an offence driving to the MOT, but if I change it in the MOT centre car park, I am fine to drive once the spare is on.

Grey_Critic

marlot said:

The law regards lack of MOT as an admin failure - so a small-ish fine but no points.

The law regards driving a dangerous car much more seriously - big fine and points.

If your car fails its MOT, you may well have driven it in dangerous condition to the MOT centre.

An MOT remains valid until its expiry date.  

To take an example.  I might get a dangerous fail for a worn/damaged tyre.  I could make the car safe again by putting on the spare wheel.  I committed an offence driving to the MOT, but if I change it in the MOT centre car park, I am fine to drive once the spare is on.

Interesting comment but an MOT is no guarantee. Once had a request from DVLA to us our MOT by for an inspection. We agreed and a car was brought in - The men from the Ministry then spent their time carrying out an inspection, our tester was invited to carry out a test as well. It failed miserably but the owner was legally allowed to drive it away as it had a current MOT.

The car had been bought with an MOT but the guy quickly found it was not roadworthy so contacted DVLA hence the inspection.

The owner took action against the dealer and the ministry men visited the garage that had carried out the MOT. We never heard any more about it.

marlot

Grey_Critic said:

marlot said:

The law regards lack of MOT as an admin failure - so a small-ish fine but no points.

The law regards driving a dangerous car much more seriously - big fine and points.

If your car fails its MOT, you may well have driven it in dangerous condition to the MOT centre.

An MOT remains valid until its expiry date.  

To take an example.  I might get a dangerous fail for a worn/damaged tyre.  I could make the car safe again by putting on the spare wheel.  I committed an offence driving to the MOT, but if I change it in the MOT centre car park, I am fine to drive once the spare is on.

Interesting comment but an MOT is no guarantee. Once had a request from DVLA to us our MOT by for an inspection. We agreed and a car was brought in - The men from the Ministry then spent their time carrying out an inspection, our tester was invited to carry out a test as well. It failed miserably but the owner was legally allowed to drive it away as it had a current MOT.

The car had been bought with an MOT but the guy quickly found it was not roadworthy so contacted DVLA hence the inspection.

The owner took action against the dealer and the ministry men visited the garage that had carried out the MOT. We never heard any more about it.

Presumably you and DVLA were powerless to let the driver leave, but the police could have pulled it over?

As you say, the common belief that MOT = roadworthy and failing an MOT = unroadworthy is an interesting one. 
Roadworthy isn't explicitly defined in law, but is generally taken to mean tyres, steering, brakes, bodywork.
I believe a car which cames in with a spacesaver tyre fitted is an MOT failure, but is regarded as roadworthy.

Grey_Critic

***Presumably you and DVLA were powerless to let the driver leave, but the police could have pulled it over?***

It was nothing to do with us - DVLA asked to use our facilities and of course we said yes. We queried him being allowd to take the car away but the answer was the car celonged to him and it was his choice. He had bought the car some  60 miles and was taking it back to where he got it. The car had a current MOT although it was obvious that it should have failed.

The DVLA would take action against the garage that had issued the certificate.