MOT - period of grace?

[Big_M]

Is there a 'period of grace' for getting an MOT. I need two new headlights for my car as the current ones have been cracked by stones. They are on order (secondhand) but not turned up yet. The MOT is due on Tuesday and it is booked in with the local garage. However, if I have to postpone it due to the no show of the headlights and get stopped, what is the score.

[flooritforever]

Not as far a I'm aware. After your MOT has expired your only permitted to drive it to and from a testing station for a test.

[mybrainhurts]

........With an appointment

[Big_M]

Mr Big seems to think that there is no period of grace although I thought as long as it was booked in it was ok.

The Dept of Transport web site is not clear either.

[cptsideways]

Big_M said:

Is there a 'period of grace' for getting an MOT. I need two new headlights for my car as the current ones have been cracked by stones. They are on order (secondhand) but not turned up yet. The MOT is due on Tuesday and it is booked in with the local garage. However, if I have to postpone it due to the no show of the headlights and get stopped, what is the score.

If there is no water in the lights you can seal off the holes & it should still pass if you use clear glue or tape.

[nickwilcock]

I well remember driving my MG Midget from my university residence to a pre-arranged MoT test centre in 1973....quite legally!

But university residence was in South Woodford, MoT test was in Taunton! Girl friend picked me up from the garage in her mini, we had a good day, then I picked up my MG and we set off for Cornwall the next day. Damn thing later split its thermostat bypass hose, so we were late to our destination...

>> Edited by nickwilcock on Wednesday 14th April 23:29

[Abnormal]

It has to be the nearest mot station, not one miles away!

[Big_M]

As far as I can establish once the MOT has run out the only journey you are able to make in your car is to the test centre or to have any work identified carried out - ie new tyres.

Apparently you can have the car tested up to one month before the expiry date and providing you have the previous MOT certificate the testing centre can back date it to the date the certificate runs out.

[jeffreyarcher]

Abnormal said:

It has to be the nearest mot station, not one miles away!

Do you have a source for this?

[gone]

jeffreyarcher said:

Abnormal said: It has to be the nearest mot station, not one miles away! Do you have a source for this?

It does not have to be the nearest station.
you are only exempt from MOT if you are taking it to a pre-booked test and if it fails to a place from that garage to where the defects are to be repaired or the vehicle is scrapped. You are also exempt from VEL as well but only under the same circumstances.

THERE IS NO PERIOD OF GRACE FOR AN MOT, once it has expired, you are at risk of prosecutiion unless the above applies.