Discussion
I'm wondering what PHers reaction is to the following line of conversation I had with a guy in our village.
He explained that he was getting his daughter's Hillman Minx MoTed. Of course, I said that it didn't need an MoT. He replied that he wanted proof that it was roadworthy, that if she was involved in an accident, the other party's insurer could claim that his daughter's car wasn't roadworthy because it didn't have any MoT and that therefore she was liable by default.
Has anyone had any experience of an insurer taking this line? Do PHers get an MoT anyway for that reason? What is your feeling about such a situation?
He explained that he was getting his daughter's Hillman Minx MoTed. Of course, I said that it didn't need an MoT. He replied that he wanted proof that it was roadworthy, that if she was involved in an accident, the other party's insurer could claim that his daughter's car wasn't roadworthy because it didn't have any MoT and that therefore she was liable by default.
Has anyone had any experience of an insurer taking this line? Do PHers get an MoT anyway for that reason? What is your feeling about such a situation?
MOT doesn't mean it's roadworthy except for when the MOT was done, so for any car you have an onus to ensure your car is roadworthy MOT'd or not every time you use it on the road.
Not sure what happens if an exempt car goes on to fail a voluntary MOT, is it then no longer exempt and can't be used on the road until it passes? Perhaps to avoid that scenario ask for a safety check by an MOT tester, think they call it a mock MOT or something, who will look for anything that would fail an MOT without it going on record as a fail. Though then if it is unsafe do they have a duty to report it to the DVSA so it can't be used until an MOT is passed?
A right can of worms if so.
Not sure what happens if an exempt car goes on to fail a voluntary MOT, is it then no longer exempt and can't be used on the road until it passes? Perhaps to avoid that scenario ask for a safety check by an MOT tester, think they call it a mock MOT or something, who will look for anything that would fail an MOT without it going on record as a fail. Though then if it is unsafe do they have a duty to report it to the DVSA so it can't be used until an MOT is passed?
A right can of worms if so.
Virtual PAH said:
Not sure what happens if an exempt car goes on to fail a voluntary MOT, is it then no longer exempt and can't be used on the road until it passes?
I would expect that it's still exempt, but the owner now knows that there is a problem with it and would need to get it fixed. Whether it can be used on the road would depend on what the problem was - if it fails on a headlamp bulb being out, that would make no difference to driving it during the day, but if it fails on significant corrosion or a tyre with exposed cords, then it's a problem all the time. Just like a car that isn't exempt, really. FarmerJim said:
My vintage Alvis is exempt but I still get it tested from to time just to check it is OK. You need to find a tester who knows how to work with old cars.
Most MOT testers are OK with testing older cars, but you need to know the rules yourself to make sure you don't end up with a fail for something silly like no seat belts. Chances are you will also need to be there to tell them how to operate stuff like windscreen washer pumps, or headlight dip switches on the floor.I think a lot of people with older bikes don't bother with an MOT, but it's easier to know a bike is OK IMHO.
With a car, I'd want the underneath looking at regularly and some things like brake balance may not be obvious until things get out of shape?
An MOT only says your car was OK on test day. A toy car might have issues due to lack of use. Maybe only weeks after the test?
There is maybe another angle to the OP, my judgement might be fine IMHO for a car that I drive, but if the main driver was my daughter, I might value a second opinion.
With a car, I'd want the underneath looking at regularly and some things like brake balance may not be obvious until things get out of shape?
An MOT only says your car was OK on test day. A toy car might have issues due to lack of use. Maybe only weeks after the test?
There is maybe another angle to the OP, my judgement might be fine IMHO for a car that I drive, but if the main driver was my daughter, I might value a second opinion.
My car has been classed as historic since 2021 and I've not MOTed it since then. Ok course I maintain it to the best of my ability and I'm on top of most obvious things but if I was to get it tested and it was to fail on say emissions due to the twin carbs running a bit rich, does that mean it is classed as NO MOT and comes up red on DVLA making it then illegal to drive?
Virtual PAH said:
Not sure what happens if an exempt car goes on to fail a voluntary MOT.
An exempt car doesn't require an MOT, I believe if it fails it is still exempt.If it fails on something that makes it unroadworthy, it must not be driven as it is unroadworthy. This applies regardless of MOT pass or fail. If it fails on a dangerous fault, it must not be driven. Not because it has no MOT, but because it is dangerous. You can be prosecuted for either. Most insurance companies make it a condition that your car must be roadworthy, so if the MOT fails means your car is unroadworthy, the insurance is invalid.
Im neither an MOT tester or a lawyer.
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