Not another registration question!

[AyBee]

Sorry to start yet another numberplate thread but having done a search, it didn't really help.

Someone said:

The car does need an MOT, but not tax (provided it was registered to you before the tax ran out or was cashed in, and that was within the last 12 months.

Is this bit strictly true? I've read conflicting information on my internet searches and the dvla site just says of a type that requires an MOT and not that it must be in date. My MOT ran out in June and I didn't renew it since I'm now living a few hundred miles from the car and not using it but have my private plate on the car. I will eventually get around to trying to get it an MOT but don't want to run the risk of losing my plate if it fails and will cost too much to fix (1997 polo) in the mean time if I can help it. Tax ran out at the same time but appears to be less of an issue from my reading since it was within 12 months and is now has a SORN.

Thoughts please?

[justanotherJC]

DVLA said:

To transfer the registration number, both vehicles must be:

registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
available for inspection
of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
currently taxed

However, if the vehicle that currently has the registration number is not taxed, you can still apply to transfer provided:

there is no break between the date the tax disc runs out and the start of the SORN
the tax disc run out no more than 12 months before the date you apply

Doesn't mention MOT needing to be current.
For more details - DVLA

[AyBee]

justanotherJC said:

DVLA said:

To transfer the registration number, both vehicles must be:

registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
available for inspection
of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
currently taxed

However, if the vehicle that currently has the registration number is not taxed, you can still apply to transfer provided:

there is no break between the date the tax disc runs out and the start of the SORN
the tax disc run out no more than 12 months before the date you apply

Doesn't mention MOT needing to be current.
For more details - DVLA

That was precisely my point and hence why I asked because the quote above (from this forum) states it does need to have an MOT. Looks like I could be ok to get the plate off then