Rescheduling MOT for spring/summer?

[tux850]

The MOT for both our cars are due end-November and end-December. The first isn't too bad but the latter always feel like particularly poor timing in case I need to do any corrective work given the likely-poor weather, proximity to Christmas (less free time, postage delays for parts/tools), risk of both cars being out of action etc.

So... I was thinking of maybe getting them both (or at least the December one) MOT'd in spring/summer thus resetting the countdown timer as it were. Of course, the tight Northerner in me will mean I will struggle to sleep for a while whilst I reflect on throwing away six months of cover but I can hopefully offset that with dreaming about having more freedom sorting any issues out, working on balmy summer evenings, laughing at stuck bolts with a cold beer in my hand rather than delaying the onset of hypothermia with mugs of tea etc.

Just wondering if anyone else has ever done this?

Edited by tux850 on Tuesday 19th December 01:20

[GreenV8S]

There was a time when I'd have no problem grovelling under the car in the snow to get it through another MOT. These days I'm happy to pay somebody else to do it, and getting the MOT, servicing and maintenance done at my convenience outweighs getting every last day out of the previous MOT.

[Pica-Pica]

Not done it, but see no reason not too have a retest in 6 months’ time to reset the MOT point.

[InitialDave]

tux850 said:

Just wondering if anyone else has ever done this?

Standard practice for me on anything I'd be working on myself. The cost of one "unnecessary" test in order to move the MOT cycle to warmer months is preferable to pissing about in the cold/dark/wet of winter trying to sort stuff out.

[tux850]

Reassured by having no one look at me funny I think I'll go ahead and do it. Thanks all!

[SturdyHSV]

I have done this for exactly the reasons you say.

Too cold, too dark, not interested in jacking up a car whilst unable to feel my fingers because a track rod end has some play in it.

[Om]

I have done it in the past to align the MOT and service schedules. One less trip/hassle. Only works if you have your car serviced annually/biennially.

[Hereward]

Yes, I have done this for my 3 "decent" cars. When the expiry date approaches I schedule the MOT for a dry day. Also means no risk of driving on salted roads.

[dhutch]

Part of the reason I have currently Sorned the kitcar, is to move its test from November to maybe March.

[Panamax]

IMO there's something to be said for getting your MOT as far away as possible from road tax payment and insurance renewal. In these days of "online everything" it's otherwise very easy to trip over on hurdle and then find you've been crashed into one of the others as well.

I'm also a fan of getting new MOT test done as soon as the 30-day window opens. Preserves the expiry date and allows a full four weeks to sort out any hiccups.

[Tim Cognito]

As someone who's just spent a few cold and dark days/evenings pissing around to fix mot issues I would recommend it.

[Pica-Pica]

Panamax said:

I'm also a fan of getting new MOT test done as soon as the 30-day window opens. Preserves the expiry date and allows a full four weeks to sort out any hiccups.

Agreed. I imagine most sensible people would do that.

[Mr Whippy]

I’ve done it a few years in a row as the garage that does my annual service can do MOT while it’s there, and I’ve often had an issue that meant bringing service forward sooner etc.

I think time before last was 2 months and last year was 1 month.


Only issue is now a mot can be a dangerous fail, which I think might now supersede the current mot.

Definitely worth asking them to check it over first to make sure no dangerous issues, before they run the mot and give it a fail.

[Gary C]

I had mine done in December and I am thinking exactly the same thing.

(and forgot to add, it needs new front and rear brakes and front wishbones which wont last until December and I just know I will end up, in the rain doing them )

Edited by Gary C on Friday 26th January 19:01

[ChocolateFrog]

If you're not of a nervous disposition you could just forget to get them tested until the summer.

Seems the chances of being pulled for no MOT alone are almost zero these days unless it looks like something is about to fall off it.

[Panamax]

ChocolateFrog said:

Seems the chances of being pulled for no MOT alone are almost zero these days unless it looks like something is about to fall off it.

On the other hand if you're involved in a collision and your car pops up "no MOT" things could go very badly indeed.

[tux850]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to risk it. Furthermore, given that the basis of my concerns here are that I might be required to make repairs at the worst time of year that probably says it all as to how confident I am with the integrity of my cars! Actually, all that said, as someone mentioned above I would be more expecting to be fixing play in ball joints or bushes rather than dealing with catastrophic corrosion-related failures. The MOT does lump a lot of things together in the same bracket though.

Once it starts to get warmer I'm going to bring them both forwards, but leaving a gap so I don't risk them both potentially being out of action at the same time.

[ChocolateFrog]

Panamax said:

ChocolateFrog said:

Seems the chances of being pulled for no MOT alone are almost zero these days unless it looks like something is about to fall off it.

On the other hand if you're involved in a collision and your car pops up "no MOT" things could go very badly indeed.

Would they? Any payout might be reduced slightly but assuming you're the kind of person that keeps on top of maintenance and the car is roadworthy I genuinely don't think much will happen.

Forgetting to get your car MOT'd is pretty common.

Bit of a sidetrack anyway when you can get an MOT for £30 you might as well.

[cliffords]

ChocolateFrog said:

Panamax said:

ChocolateFrog said:

Seems the chances of being pulled for no MOT alone are almost zero these days unless it looks like something is about to fall off it.

On the other hand if you're involved in a collision and your car pops up "no MOT" things could go very badly indeed.

Would they? Any payout might be reduced slightly but assuming you're the kind of person that keeps on top of maintenance and the car is roadworthy I genuinely don't think much will happen.

Forgetting to get your car MOT'd is pretty common.

Bit of a sidetrack anyway when you can get an MOT for £30 you might as well.

I as calling round yesterday, called and spoke to three garages near me in West Sussex, cheapest £52 most expensive £54.

[Mrs Muttleysnoop]

You may find cut price MOT deals at a time of year that suits you, so if you know that your car will easily pass an MOT then it makes sense to do it.