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Bad MOT advice from MSE

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
in Motoring
With MOT rules changing Sunday May 20, 2018 a Cheap Council MOT could prove expensive if a serious fault is found. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot#change As pointed out in the start of the piece councils don't generally do repairs so you would need to have your vehicle towed away for repair.
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Comments

  • Carrot007
    Carrot007 Posts: 4,534 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    This was always the case. It's just easier to check now.

    You would have been also commiting the offence going to the MOT.

    If you wait for your MOT to find faults then you probably deserve this.
  • AndyMc.....
    AndyMc..... Posts: 3,248 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Under what powers can they stop you driving?
  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 9,054 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    AndyMc..... wrote: »
    Under what powers can they stop you driving?
    There are no powers. They can't stop you.
  • EcoR1
    EcoR1 Posts: 97 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts
    Nothing has changed, you can't drive an unroadworthy vehicle on the road. The MOT station however still can't stop you driving one away after a failed MOT. Any remaining MOT is also still valid.
  • AndyMc.....
    AndyMc..... Posts: 3,248 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 19 December 2025 at 8:30PM
    [quote=[Deleted User];74294002]There are no powers. They can't stop you.[/QUOTE]

    Exactly, so it’s not bad advice then.
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 31 October 2024 at 12:25PM
    [Deleted User] wrote:
    With MOT rules changing Sunday May 20, 2018 a Cheap Council MOT could prove expensive if a serious fault is found. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot#change As pointed out in the start of the piece councils don't generally do repairs so you would need to have your vehicle towed away for repair.


    Point is not about the repairs but using an impartial tester who doesn't fish for work
  • System
    System Posts: 178,412 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    arcon5 wrote: »
    Point is not about the repairs but using an impartial tester who doesn't fish for work

    You don't have to go to a council test centre to find one of those and anyone who thinks that council MOT examiners are better than others needs their heads testing. They're just as likely to fail things that should have passed and pass things that should have failed as any other MOT tester.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Tarambor wrote: »
    You don't have to go to a council test centre to find one of those and anyone who thinks that council MOT examiners are better than others needs their heads testing. They're just as likely to fail things that should have passed and pass things that should have failed as any other MOT tester.
    They will fail you inspite as the workers do not like doing private cars.
  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 5,001 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 31 October 2024 at 12:25PM
    [Deleted User] wrote:
    With MOT rules changing Sunday May 20, 2018 a Cheap Council MOT could prove expensive if a serious fault is found. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot#change As pointed out in the start of the piece councils don't generally do repairs so you would need to have your vehicle towed away for repair.
    You'll only fail the MOT with a 'dangerous' fault for things which are extreme. And you'll have broken the law driving an unroadworthy car to the MOT centre.

    The more normal fail category will be 'major' - and the other rules around a fail remain unchanged.

    DVLA have confirmed that the garage cannot stop you driving away (even with 'dangerous' faults). Though I guess they could phone the police. And I'd expect your insurer to seek to reclaim any money they pay out if you have an accident on the way back.

    DVLA have also confirmed that the previous MOT remains valid until its expiry.
  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 9,054 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    marlot wrote: »
    DVLA have confirmed that the garage cannot stop you driving away (even with 'dangerous' faults). Though I guess they could phone the police. And I'd expect your insurer to seek to reclaim any money they pay out if you have an accident on the way back.

    DVLA have also confirmed that the previous MOT remains valid until its expiry.

    DVSA, Shirley?
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