SORN and MOT catch 22?
Author
Discussion

gentleman geoff

Original Poster:

1,058 posts

242 months

Saturday 21st October 2006
quotequote all
I'm sure there must be a thread on this, but I can't find one anywhere...

This is probably a common scenario, so I'm sorry if it's a stupid question rolleyes.

I'm considering taking my car off the road for a few months and making a SORN declaration. The problem is that the MOT is due in February and I'm not likely to start using the car again until later in the year. So, how do I get an MOT test? Won't be able to drive to the testing station without valid tax disc and won't be able to get a tax disc without MOT!

Any advice gratefully recieved.

herewego

8,814 posts

243 months

Saturday 21st October 2006
quotequote all
You are specifically permitted to attend an MOT appointment without vehicle tax.

gentleman geoff

Original Poster:

1,058 posts

242 months

Saturday 21st October 2006
quotequote all
Oh. That was easy! Thanks for the info.

aw51 121565

4,773 posts

263 months

Sunday 22nd October 2006
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PS make sure the MoT is booked, and not an 'as you wait' special... make sure the chap writes it down in his diary. An untaxed (and UnMoTed) car can be driven under these circumstances.

if the car fails the MoT, it is then legal to drive the car from the MoT station to the place where the repairs will be carried out - and this could be your home as opposed to a garage. Then book a retest and go for the, errm, retest. Again, make sure the chap writes this appointment down also.

My mention of 'writing the appointment down'? The boys in blue will almost certainly check... . And if it is in the tester's diary, then no problems .

DBSV8

5,958 posts

268 months

Monday 23rd October 2006
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aw51 121565 said:

My mention of 'writing the appointment down'? The boys in blue will almost certainly check... . And if it is in the tester's diary, then no problems .


ive done this twice , although I normally pre-plan in advance and get the garage to write a confirmation memo /email that the car is booked in a pre arranged time ..

Im bringing the Lotus back from France so this will apply shortly although the car still has free tax disc that is valid

always a great feeling ...getting the free tax disc from the post office aka ( historic vehicle)

victormeldrew

8,293 posts

307 months

Monday 23rd October 2006
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So what about when you take the car off the road because it needs repairs that you can't afford at the time; how do you get the repairs done later to prep it for the MoT?

Trailer time?

sheepy

3,164 posts

279 months

Monday 23rd October 2006
quotequote all
victormeldrew said:
So what about when you take the car off the road because it needs repairs that you can't afford at the time; how do you get the repairs done later to prep it for the MoT?

Trailer time?
Yup. I had to do this with my MGB. Tought I'd repair the sills myself, but ended up getting a mate to do it. We moved the car from my house to his workshop on trailer.

But once repaired he drove to the test place, got a pass and drove it to mine. Not sure of the legality, but his point to me was that "to and from a prebooked MOT" doesn't mention that the original source and final destination must be the same place. I pointed out that he was driving and that I wasn't really bothered either way

Edited by sheepy on Monday 23 October 13:50