Advice Sought for MOT / Insurance Problem

Saltrams

Here’s a conundrum about which I will be grateful for advice & opinions please.

We drove our UK vehicle to Italy and left it there whilst undertaking a 6 week holiday to Australia, flying via Doha on Qatar Airways.

We have all the right bookings in place to fly back into Rome, collect the car, drive back to UK and take it to our (pre-booked) MOT test and service the first working day after arrival.

Now of course that’s all looking impossible.

So, if we are stranded in Australia and can’t get the car back to UK for the MOT, what can we do about that? Without an MOT the insurance is invalid. We can book a new date for the test, which is allowed under the rules to drive a car without a valid MOT to the test station for a booked appointment but I very much doubt that covers the trip from Rome to Calais. I just can’t see how to sort this out.

paul_c123

Book another MoT. There is no distance limit in law.

Aretnap

Your insurance will still be valid with an expired MOT - it's an urban myth that it isn't. This is doubly true if you are driving to a pre-booked MOT test, for which you your car doesn't need to have an MOT in the first place.

Book an MOT for when you get back and if possible drive straight there. (If the route happens to go past your house and your OH happens to jump out of the car with your luggage as you go past, so much the better). That makes the UK part of your journey legal at least. No idea what the law is in the various countries you drive through or whether they recognize the exemption, but frankly I would just do it anyway: the chances of getting into trouble for it are tiny.

As an aside I'm always amused at how people tie themselves in knots over an expired MOT. Even if you're not covered by an exemption it's a very minor offence - the fixed penalty is £100 and no points. If you've ever driven at 80 mph on a motorway you've committed a much more serious crime than driving with an expired MOT, probably without even thinking about it.

LightFlare

when does your MOT expire and when do you have the test booked for (as currently stands) ?

As above though, it’s not as bad as the man in the pub would tell you it is

Grumpy_chap

The OP might wish to read this thread which discusses the insurance / MoT connections:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657811/why-is-it-not-a-mot-requirement-to-have-vehicle-tax/p1

When did the OP leave the car for the 6-week holiday?

When is the OP due to return home from Australia?

When does the MoT run out?

When is the OP due to return from Australia?

What re-route options is the airline offering, given they will be avoiding the Middle East hubs?

Saltrams

All very useful information thank you.
@paul_c123 sounds good

@Aretnap also great news. TBH I was never really worried about getting caught or fined, it was more about actually having an accident on the European journey leg.

@LightFlare MOT expires 29/3 & test booked 30/3

@Grumpy_chap

When did the OP leave the car for the 6-week holiday? 28/1/26

When is the OP due to return home from Australia? 21/3/26

When does the MoT run out? 29/3/26

When is the OP due to return from Australia? 21/3/26

What re-route options is the airline offering, given they will be avoiding the Middle East hubs? As yet unknown as flights technically still operating until notification of cancellation (expected during next week)

Grumpy_chap

With those dates, I think all the OP can do for now is enjoy the remainder of their trip and keep in contact with the airline. Prepare (and be mentally ready) for some extra days staying somewhere, either Australia or another hub location between there and here.

There was another thread where the airline had said they would not confirm re-route / cancellation until 72 hours prior to planned travel date. The OP may need to wait to know what is going to happen but, overall, I would expect they'll have a good chance of getting back prior to the MoT expiry. It's actually two weeks until the planned travel date and that is quite a reasonable time for some "new normal" to settle in and the airlines to have re-route options working.

It may be worth pre-alerting the travel insurer. They may give some practical advice. They may make requests if they appear to be on the hook for costs (extended hotel?). They may just say "act of war" excluded. I am unclear as to how the detail of such clauses apply in a case where the location you are at is not directly affected.

Arunmor

Remember no MOT is just a fine (no points) up to £1,000 but generally a fixed penalty of £100.

What I would be more worried about is what insurance cover you have for the car being overseas for an extended period of time? Will it be insured on the drive back from Italy?

Saltrams

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914301#Comment_81914301

Yes @Arunmor that was exactly my concern. @Aretnap said above that the insurance is still valid. Obvs will have to confirm what policy says and what the law says. Our policy covers the vehicle in Europe for any time period unlike many who have limitations, that was exactly why we chose the insurer (Saga). It’s the lack of MOT that is the problem (or hopefully not!).

Arunmor

I wouldn't worry about it you have a perfectly good excuse and if they really get picky should be £100 fine. I'm sure you will have more pressing things to worry about.

Grey_Critic

Question - What does the law say about it in Italy or any other country you may travel through?

If, for any reason you are stopped in another country you will be subject to their rules. Your documentation will not be be in order. Just a thought.