SORN while car is being repaired.

WBarbados

Hi All,
I had a minor accident with my car. My insurance company instructed a garage to collect the car and make the necessary repairs. My car insurance will expire in 2 days. I was wondering if I can declare my car as SORN?
My car is currently parked in a gated car park. The garage will pick up the car, so no need to drive it on the public road.

But can a car be declared SORN while it is under repair at a garage?

I'm asking this because I hear a lot of people that need to wait 1 to 3 months until their car is repaired (shortages of car parts and so on). So basically I don't need any insurance until the car is actually repaired. Is SORN route an option here?

Kind Regards.

Car_54

SORN simply means you can't use or keep the car on a public road (one maintained at public expense). Provided it's not on such a road, no-one cares whether it's on your drive, in a garage, or on the moon.

When is it being picked up? If it's still in the car park when your insurance runs out, that's a risk. Once in the garage's custody, their insurance should cover it, but ask to make sure. Also, make sure they know it's not taxed or insured, so they don't park it on the road.

Herzlos

If you are letting the insurance expire then you need to let the garage know because a lot of them will park cars on the street temporarily and they can't do that if SORN.

It's unlikely that minor accident damage will leave it in the garage for months, but it depends on how busy they are, what needs replaced etc.

Is it driveable? Do you know for certain the garage will take it away on a truck/trailer?

Have they given you an estimate of when it'd be ready?

DullGreyGuy

WBarbados said:

The garage will pick up the car, so no need to drive it on the public road.

But can a car be declared SORN while it is under repair at a garage?

Is the car drivable? If it is them picking it up could well be them dropping off a driver who drives back in your car.

The risk is that at times they may move the vehicle out of their compound and onto the road in which case you then have an issue if its spotted there.

prettyandfluffy

Road tax/SORN and insurance are two separate things.  I would not advise leaving your car uninsured in case of damage or loss whilst it is being repaired.  If you decide not to tax it, bear in mind you will have to pay for a full month when you do tax it again so may save nothing.  If it isn't insured or taxed you should tell the garage who are repairing it and remember as the registered owner, you will still be liable.  I wouldn't take the risk.

Grey_Critic

Talk to the repairing garage first, depending on their answer - How the vehicle will be collected, will it be parked on the street, HOW LONG will the repairs take. Once you have the answer then you can make the decision. We can only express our thoughts talking with the people who are doing the repair is the only way.

WBarbados

Thanks for all your responses. I'll talk to the garage first.