Mandatory MOT after been written off?
Discussion
Hi there,
My car has been written off (cat-C) after a little accident that it wasn't my fault.
I have taken the option of "give my car back and the money" and I will try to fix it.
The car drives as normal despite having the suspension damaged apparently.
According to the insurance engineer, he thinks that I can only drive the car to take it to a garage until she passes a new MOT.
1. Is this true?
2. Should I try to pass the MOT without fixing the suspension?
3. How does the police know that I am driving my car to take it to the garage and no somewhere else?
4. How much is the fine for not having this new MOT if the police stops me?
I am confused
Thank you!
NOTES:
My insurance company told me that now I have a basic cover until the car pass a new MOT (it can be driven just for this purpose). But someone else from the same company said that the policy is still the same.
My car has been written off (cat-C) after a little accident that it wasn't my fault.
I have taken the option of "give my car back and the money" and I will try to fix it.
The car drives as normal despite having the suspension damaged apparently.
According to the insurance engineer, he thinks that I can only drive the car to take it to a garage until she passes a new MOT.
1. Is this true?
2. Should I try to pass the MOT without fixing the suspension?
3. How does the police know that I am driving my car to take it to the garage and no somewhere else?
4. How much is the fine for not having this new MOT if the police stops me?
I am confused
Thank you!
NOTES:
My insurance company told me that now I have a basic cover until the car pass a new MOT (it can be driven just for this purpose). But someone else from the same company said that the policy is still the same.
Edited by Homer Jay on Wednesday 12th July 17:26
1) Yes, you can, if you're heading to a pre-booked MOT test, but I wouldn't (see point 4)
2) No, they'll almost certainly notice if something is awry, especially if the shocks are bust/leaking (if they are oil filled) or if the springs are broken, they'll also check the condition of any bushes they can see, ball joints etc, if they are damaged it'll get noticed
3) They don't know where you're heading, you'd have to prove it with paperwork or some sort of confirmation from the garage that you have booked the MOT with
4) It's a fine of up to £1000 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-5-penalties) but it's not the lack of MOT that'll be the problem if you're heading to a test centre, is your insurance still valid after the write off? Even if it is then you're playing a risky game, if you run somebody over or cause an accident and your car doesn't have a valid MOT then you are in trouble, your insurer would just walk away from any liability and rightly so
Take it there on a trailer or low loader, it's not worth the risk - you'd technically be driving without insurance
2) No, they'll almost certainly notice if something is awry, especially if the shocks are bust/leaking (if they are oil filled) or if the springs are broken, they'll also check the condition of any bushes they can see, ball joints etc, if they are damaged it'll get noticed
3) They don't know where you're heading, you'd have to prove it with paperwork or some sort of confirmation from the garage that you have booked the MOT with
4) It's a fine of up to £1000 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-5-penalties) but it's not the lack of MOT that'll be the problem if you're heading to a test centre, is your insurance still valid after the write off? Even if it is then you're playing a risky game, if you run somebody over or cause an accident and your car doesn't have a valid MOT then you are in trouble, your insurer would just walk away from any liability and rightly so
Take it there on a trailer or low loader, it's not worth the risk - you'd technically be driving without insurance
So the car drives normal, what happens when you take a corner enthusiastically? The answer is you won't know until the whole thing collapses on you.
Then where do you stand? you will have no insurance so any costs are yours. Your "accident" could cause injury to others. I could carry on but I hope you get the point.
Then where do you stand? you will have no insurance so any costs are yours. Your "accident" could cause injury to others. I could carry on but I hope you get the point.
Seems to be an insurance thing rather than a legal requirement - our 182 was MOT'd 10 days before being cat-d (due to a cracked rear bumper and light) - insurance co insisted that it had a new MOT before they would cover it, local garage was bemused when I took it along for a second test in a month!
browno said:
Seems to be an insurance thing rather than a legal requirement
Yep. MOT is valid until expiry for MOT purposes... Insurers, though, can require a post-collision test.If the suspension isn't going to pass the test because of damage, then you REALLY shouldn't be driving it...
charltjr said:
It depends on your insurer, some insist on an MoT after a Cat-C before insuring and some don't.
This - I put a Cat C back on the road about 10 years ago and the insurer insisted on a fresh MoT before they'd insure it. It's not a legal requirement, but they can make it a contractual term. I guess they're using it as a cheaper alternative to an engineer's report when deciding if the car's fit to be back on the road.xxChrisxx said:
The surprising thing about this is that it's only a normal MOT you need to get it back on the road.
I would have thought that it'd be slightly more stringent for an accident damaged car. Something similar to an IVA.
Don't forget that the IVA is to check compliance with construction and use, not condition.I would have thought that it'd be slightly more stringent for an accident damaged car. Something similar to an IVA.
Whether to write off as Cat C or D or repair is a totally financial decision - so should all insurance repaired cars also be super-MOTd?
Perhaps just a check of identity is needed to pick up any ringers...? Oh, wait. That was dumped recently, after not finding any.
I went through this earlier this year. I rang the DVA and they told me that there is no requirement for a written off vehicle to have an MOT or any other test to be deemed roadworthy. Seems mental but it is true, it is up to you to ensure your vehicle is fixed. However, insurers may ask for a fresh MOT to ensure the vehicle is fit for purpose again.
Best to contact your insurer and check if the car is covered for taking it to the MOT centre.
And fix your suspension first, they will catch you out.
Best to contact your insurer and check if the car is covered for taking it to the MOT centre.
And fix your suspension first, they will catch you out.
tigger1 said:
Welshbeef said:
No one ever should be worried about an MOt a car on the road should be able to pass with ease every day of the year else it shouldn't be on the road.
There's plenty of things that would fail an MOT that don't make a car unroadworthy.Thank you for all the answers!
Just to clarify:
My insurance company told me that now I have a basic cover until the car pass a new MOT (it can be driven just for this purpose but I don't now how they are going to know if I go to Tesco or to visit my aunty, and I don't care as long as the police sees I've got insurance).
And to make things more confusing, someone else from the same company told me today that the policy is still the original one
Just to clarify:
My insurance company told me that now I have a basic cover until the car pass a new MOT (it can be driven just for this purpose but I don't now how they are going to know if I go to Tesco or to visit my aunty, and I don't care as long as the police sees I've got insurance).
And to make things more confusing, someone else from the same company told me today that the policy is still the original one
Homer Jay said:
Just to clarify:
My insurance company told me that now I have a basic cover until the car pass a new MOT (it can be driven just for this purpose but I don't now how they are going to know if I go to Tesco or to visit my aunty, and I don't care as long as the police sees I've got insurance).
By which I suspect they mean third party only cover - they won't pay you out for it if it's nicked, catches fire, or you bend it.My insurance company told me that now I have a basic cover until the car pass a new MOT (it can be driven just for this purpose but I don't now how they are going to know if I go to Tesco or to visit my aunty, and I don't care as long as the police sees I've got insurance).
TooMany2cvs said:
By which I suspect they mean third party only cover - they won't pay you out for it if it's nicked, catches fire, or you bend it.
Yes, third party they said. More than enough for me while a buy a new car.I don't think I need a new MOT to go to Asda (I don't use it to go to work).
Homer Jay said:
My car has been written off (cat-C) after a little accident that it wasn't my fault.
I have taken the option of "give my car back and the money" and I will try to fix it.
The car drives as normal despite having the suspension damaged apparently.
So you are proposing to drive a car without any repair after having been written off with part of the reason for the write off being suspension damage. If you have an accident this won't go well for you at all.I have taken the option of "give my car back and the money" and I will try to fix it.
The car drives as normal despite having the suspension damaged apparently.
Get the car checked over by someone knowledgeable at the very least. Many garages will perform this service - a sort of MoT/service and give you an honest opinion.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff