Car Pound Cops

[Simpo Two]

A woman's car broke down so she called her recovery company to recover it. But the car's MOT has lapsed so they say they can't collect it because it's not roadworthy. Isn't the whole point of a recovery service to collect cars that aren't roadworthy? Furthermore if it's going on a trailer why is it relevant at all? The car won't be on the road!

[Dave _]

Simpo Two said:

A woman's car broke down so she called her recovery company to recover it. But the car's MOT has lapsed so they say they can't collect it because it's not roadworthy. Isn't the whole point of a recovery service to collect cars that aren't roadworthy? Furthermore if it's going on a trailer why is it relevant at all? The car won't be on the road!

Because that is one of their terms and conditions

For example

The AA said:

Really important details that might stop us from helping you:

Your vehicle must have valid MOT, tax and insurance to be eligible for cover, unless exempt.

[Simpo Two]

Can't argue with that, but is there an actual practical mechanical reason?

[RacingStripes]

To stop people abusing their service.

[Simpo Two]

RacingStripes said:

To stop people abusing their service.

OK, in that a car without an MOT is more likely to break down? That makes a glimmer of sense.

[RacingStripes]

Its more that people with cars that are off the road using the recovery services as car transport to get them to a garage, pretending its just broken down. Limiting it to cars with an MOT, and therefore cars that are likely roadworthy before the breakdown, cuts off a load of people that try and use it as free transport.

[E-bmw]

RacingStripes said:

Its more that people with cars that are off the road using the recovery services as car transport to get them to a garage, pretending its just broken down. Limiting it to cars with an MOT, and therefore cars that are likely roadworthy before the breakdown, cuts off a load of people that try and use it as free transport.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

This is exactly the reason for the clause in the Ts & Cs.

[Downward]

What if the car was on the way to the MOT ?

[Mr Squarekins]

Downward said:

What if the car was on the way to the MOT ?

The terms and conditions still apply. When they signed, they accepted them.

[Simpo Two]

E-bmw said:

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

This is exactly the reason for the clause in the Ts & Cs.

Although, don't I recall a discussion here where it was thought 'MOT' and road worthiness are different things?

Anyway, in this instance the T&Cs win.

[Oceanrower]

Simpo Two said:

Although, don't I recall a discussion here where it was thought 'MOT' and road worthiness are different things?

I do. Many times.
And they are…

[E-bmw]

Oceanrower said:

Simpo Two said:

Although, don't I recall a discussion here where it was thought 'MOT' and road worthiness are different things?

I do. Many times.
And they are

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

Yes, they are but that is "in law" not in AA Ts & Cs.

[Plus4Four#]

Car pound cops? Hmmm odd title.
Anyway, our police force used approved recovery companies . They needed secure storage to protect forensic requirements and other factors.
Scenario.....call comes in for a broken down car. Get details for where for safety assessment. Ask if their recovery were informed. Yes...then carry on. Unsafe location? Send a car to manage it. No recovery? Police would use an approved recoverer, cost passed on (was £150 I think) plus storage. The recovery was eventually moved to the AA who used local recoverers that we used anyway.

[BertBert]

[quote=Plus4Four#]Car pound cops? Hmmm odd title.
Anyway, our police force used approved recovery companies . They needed secure storage to protect forensic requirements and other factors.
Scenario.....call comes in for a broken down car. Get details for where for safety assessment. Ask if their recovery were informed. Yes...then carry on. Unsafe location? Send a car to manage it. No recovery? Police would use an approved recoverer, cost passed on (was £150 I think) plus storage. The recovery was eventually moved to the AA who used local recoverers that we used anyway.


[/quote]
Jolly interesting, just wondered if there was a connection with the thread that I was missing?

[E-bmw]

BertBert said:

Jolly interesting, just wondered if there was a connection with the thread that I was missing?

There isn't.

[vikingaero]

Just because a car does not have a MOT does NOT mean it's unroadworthy.

Breakdown policies are no longer a service, but an insurance policy covered by an insurance company somewhere. As such it's regulated iand I'd love the Ombudsman to rule on these tosser companies - much like people believe in no MOT = No Insurance.

[RacingStripes]

vikingaero said:

Just because a car does not have a MOT does NOT mean it's unroadworthy.

Breakdown policies are no longer a service, but an insurance policy covered by an insurance company somewhere. As such it's regulated iand I'd love the Ombudsman to rule on these tosser companies - much like people believe in no MOT = No Insurance.

Theres a simple solution, follow the rules you signed up for and have an MOT. Be grateful that they only dont pick you up and dont report you for a fine also.

[E-bmw]

RacingStripes said:

vikingaero said:

Just because a car does not have a MOT does NOT mean it's unroadworthy.

Breakdown policies are no longer a service, but an insurance policy covered by an insurance company somewhere. As such it's regulated iand I'd love the Ombudsman to rule on these tosser companies - much like people believe in no MOT = No Insurance.

Theres a simple solution, follow the rules you signed up for and have an MOT. Be grateful that they only dont pick you up and dont report you for a fine also.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

The Ts & Cs are clear, if you don't like them, don't give them your money.

They aren't an insurance policy, they are a gamble freely entered into by you & the recovery company.

You in the hope that you don't need it but have a safety net, them in the hope that you don't cost more than that in the year (plus overheads) and they make a profit.

[nvubu]

This is interesting as my Esprit's MOT ran out in December as I'm switching it's annual service/MOT from the winter to the spring (booked in for the middle of April). It doesn't need an MOT as it is now historic.

I've just called the RAC and they initially said no they wouldn't pick it up if I broke down, and once they understood it didn't legally require an MOT went away and found out that they would.

[Plus4Four#]

Any connection to thread?
An example of Police involvement in recovery rather than "cops" as in recovery companies. The thread title looks like a tabloid attention clickbait one as not a "cops" as in actual police content.
Anyway, as already described by others, the T&C's set out conditions in the deal. I've used my cover twice over many years. In both cases roadside fixes not recovery. No problems as all T&C's met.
One recovery but that was to get a car to a dealer for a warranty fix. Organised by the manufacturer under warranty conditions.