TAX and MOT Quandary
Discussion
I have my classic all tucked up nice and cosy until the winter is a distant memory. Recently I SORN'd the vehicle and the MOT has now expired. So when it emerges from its hibernation I don't see any choice other than drive it without TAX and MOT to the get the latter to then get the former. Is there anything I can do to make this legal? If not and I was unlucky enough to get pulled what would likely happen? I suppose there is the option to get it transported to the MOT test station but that's an awful lot of expense and faffing about. Any good advice would be appreciated.
Insurer it, pre book your mot and drive straight there.
Should it fail drive straight to a place of repair or home.
Should it pass tax it immediately, by either taking the fresh mot cert and other stuff you normally need to the nearest post office or online with a smart phone.
Do not use the car to run any other errands before it is MOTed even if they are on the way and don't drive it once it has passed it's MOT before you have taxed it. At all times it must be insured.
If you are a bit of a bad ass you can ignore all except the insurance, only a real bad ass or idiot would ignore the insurance requirements.
Should it fail drive straight to a place of repair or home.
Should it pass tax it immediately, by either taking the fresh mot cert and other stuff you normally need to the nearest post office or online with a smart phone.
Do not use the car to run any other errands before it is MOTed even if they are on the way and don't drive it once it has passed it's MOT before you have taxed it. At all times it must be insured.
If you are a bit of a bad ass you can ignore all except the insurance, only a real bad ass or idiot would ignore the insurance requirements.
How old is it? if its tax exempt you don't have to sorn it,just keep it taxed all year,you wont loos anything.
I always kept my classic in winter hibernation and worked it that the MOT was due 1st May.So I was able to drive it legal to the station and back.
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
If it was me,trailer it there,when its passed tax it and drive home,peace of mind.
I always kept my classic in winter hibernation and worked it that the MOT was due 1st May.So I was able to drive it legal to the station and back.
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
If it was me,trailer it there,when its passed tax it and drive home,peace of mind.
Old Merc said:
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Here we go again...You find the legislation that says that, and I'll believe you.e.g. - fails for a blown headlamp bulb, or headlamp misalignment - is that unroadworthy for daytime use ?
Old Merc said:
Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
Insurer's have statutory obligations as well as considerably more experience and sense than many PHers.Old Merc said:
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
I'm afraid you think wrongly on most counts. I do wish people would stop spouting this internet drivel.Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
Old Merc said:
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
The exact same situation would apply as if it was unroadworthy WITH tax and test.Also what happens if you have an accident in an unroadworthy car that`s not MOT`d or taxed?? would the insurer pay up??
Old Merc said:
If it was me,trailer it there,when its passed tax it and drive home,peace of mind.
If you think it might be unroadworthy, why are you taking it for an MOT...?marshalla said:
Old Merc said:
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Here we go again...You find the legislation that says that, and I'll believe you.e.g. - fails for a blown headlamp bulb, or headlamp misalignment - is that unroadworthy for daytime use ?
Hear we go again........a clever clogs. I`m talking about something serious of course,think of something? that could cause a vehicle to have an accident. not f!!!... bulbs.
Old Merc said:
marshalla said:
Old Merc said:
I know there is a "legal thing" about driving cars without tax and MOT to a test centre,but I think its full of holes??? I think it must be the very nearest centre to your home,you must have an appointment in writing,etc etc,if it fails surly it will be unroadworthy to drive home.
Here we go again...You find the legislation that says that, and I'll believe you.e.g. - fails for a blown headlamp bulb, or headlamp misalignment - is that unroadworthy for daytime use ?
It very much depends on what it fails on. A blown headlight bulb is just one example which would not make the vehicle unroadworthy or dangerous to drive. It not the only one by any means. Besides, a vehicle can have a valid current MOT but still be unroadworthy and/or breach C&U Regs at any time during the ensuing 12 months.
Furthermore the bit I have emboldened in your post is utter tosh. Some police officers seem to believe it too (and suggest as much to motorists), but there is NOTHING in the relevant legislation which stipulates this. Parliament was well aware that it would be wrong in principle as well as impractical to restrict freedom of choice to that extent. I prefer my MOTs to be carried out by a testing station I can trust. It is definitely not the nearest one to me. The latter is a rip-off merchant (I know of several people who have been mugged over unnecessary work due to their antics) There is no way I would ever use them. I would be more than a little angry if the law were to changed so as to compel me to.
A few years ago I bought a s/h car which was being sold at at price which was too good to pass up. I had it checked out beforehand by a friend (he is a mechanic - or 'vehicle technician' in modern speak) as it was a long way for me to travel. There was nothing wrong with it (other than the lack of tax and a current certificate which the seller wasn't willing/cba to stump up for - that didn't bother me and indeed I used it as a bargaining chip). I drove it 250 miles back to a pre-booked test (at my trusted garage). It passed with just one advisory: slight play on n/s steering arm ball joint which my mate had already spotted. As it happened I wasn't pulled over on my journey, but had I been there was no action which could have been taken against me because I was doing nothing illegal. Had it failed on something minor my mate hadn't spotted (possible but unlikely) I would have driven it home and fixed it myself.
Trying to arrange a test local to the seller would have been a lot of faff. First I would have had to find somewhere when I didn't know the area, then arrange a time which would have had to be quite late in the day in case of any unforeseen delays. Doing it the way I did meant I still got home at a sensible hour.
Old Merc said:
I`ll stick with my OPINIONS. (and my immaculate,road worthy and fully legal car)
You guys can follow the letter of the law,it must be a good feeling knowing your so so right.
Actually, the good feeling comes from knowing I don't have to piss around with trailering a perfectly drivable car to an MOT.You guys can follow the letter of the law,it must be a good feeling knowing your so so right.
Old Merc said:
Bugger me it looks as if all the above have had a bad (or boring)day in the office.???
I`ll stick with my OPINIONS.
Unfortunately, people come to SP&L for factual information, not opinions. You may well think this-that-or-the-other, but it's sometimes better to keep quiet when you have no knowledge of the subject.I`ll stick with my OPINIONS.
...and, FYI, I had an invigorating day in my retirement...
marshalla said:
It is legal to drive without tax & MOT in order to take the vehicle to a booked MOT test and then home or to a place of repair. It must be insured for road use.
It is not legal to drive it without tax in order to pay the tax.
OP - this is the route to follow.It is not legal to drive it without tax in order to pay the tax.
I have faced the same issues with a BEC which is frankly only suited to dry days. Insurance maintained year-round regardless, so I book a time & place for MOT with reg/name/test time/ my moby no. noted, and attend it. Perfectly legal, as would be the direct return home as a place of repair if it failed.
(which I also had-to, last July: very minor emissions issue: went home, sorted air leak, returned as presenting for re-test first thing the following morning - again, pre-booked i.e logged as expected by place of testing. Entirely legal. It passed.)
Do ignore some of the retentive types above.
Edited by Huff on Saturday 10th January 02:38
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