Car Recovery - What are my options if I have no MOT?

Car Recovery - What are my options if I have no MOT?

Author
Discussion

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Anyone know how this works when your car is outside its MOT and you want to drop it off?

I have a Celica 04 that failed around 18 months ago. It has sat ever since but I will be trying to take it to a garage (that doesn't have its own recovery option).

Are breakdown covers picky with cars that don't have MOT? Does anyone have any experience with the breakdown covers taking it, despite it not having an MOT? Failing that, what is the best way to get good quotes on recovery?

I would drive it myself, but given what it failed on 18 months ago, I am not sure if it would be safe. I'll include what it failed on anyway;

1. ADVISORY
Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

2. FAIL
Offside Front Lower Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting inner sill area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

3. FAIL
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

4. ADVISORY
Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

5. FAIL
Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements spacing (0.1 (d))

6. FAIL
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

7. FAIL
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

8. ADVISORY
Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

9. FAIL
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

10. ADVISORY
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

11. FAIL
Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements spacing (0.1 (d))

Catnip64

166 posts

113 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Why are you looking at recovery, surely it's a simple case of the car being transported to the garage? So just look for transport companies, there may even be some members here that could assist if you confirm pick-up and drop-off locations.

stef1808

992 posts

171 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
I wouldn’t recommend driving it. Firstly would contact the breakdown service to check if they would take it and if not shiply.com

Ussrcossack

764 posts

56 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Catnip64 said:
Why are you looking at recovery, surely it's a simple case of the car being transported to the garage? So just look for transport companies, there may even be some members here that could assist if you confirm pick-up and drop-off locations.
I think he is looking at recovery and not Breakdown recovery
transported = recovery to some

brillomaster

1,497 posts

184 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
just out of interest... were any of those MOT fails actually listed as dangerous? some of them clearly arent, so i'm just wondering which ones actually were dangerous?

as to how you get it to a garage... got any mates with a trailer?

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
brillomaster said:
just out of interest... were any of those MOT fails actually listed as dangerous? some of them clearly arent, so i'm just wondering which ones actually were dangerous?

as to how you get it to a garage... got any mates with a trailer?
It doesn't say dangerous but then again, it was 18 months ago. I have a new battery on the way, I may try and start it up, but the rear service brake has me a bit nervous, as does the fact that the handbrake was getting stuck even back when the MOT failed, so it may be worse now and I don't want that to be an issue when I am driving it. I might just see if I can get it to start first and try and test that the brakes are safe and drive it there hmmm..

brillomaster

1,497 posts

184 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
well, obviously is officially, you can only drive a car with a failed mot to a prebooked MOT test appointment, and assuming none of the fails are listed as dangerous.

if you can get the car started and the brakes seem to be working ok / arent seized on etc, then... depending on how far away the garage is, i'd probably just drive it there... if you break down en route, then call your breakdown company and get them to tow you the rest of the way - assuming they will still recover a car with a failed MOT.

eltax91

10,282 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Mobile mechanic to fix the easy stuff then boom and MoT to drive it to

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
eltax91 said:
Mobile mechanic to fix the easy stuff then boom and MoT to drive it to
Do many mobile mechanics do welding? Know of any good ones in the North East (Newcastle)?

RSTurboPaul

11,887 posts

272 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Book a new MOT at the garage.

Drive it there.

See what it fails on.

Get the garage to fix it as required.



Lamps being out and badly-spaced plates are easy DIY check-and-fix actions before taking a car in.

eltax91

10,282 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Hunts887 said:
eltax91 said:
Mobile mechanic to fix the easy stuff then boom and MoT to drive it to
Do many mobile mechanics do welding? Know of any good ones in the North East (Newcastle)?
There will be a local mobile welder maybe? I’m east mids but our is called ‘Trev the welder’ and he rolls around in a knackered old yellow transit with many many fresh patches on the sills hehe

eltax91

10,282 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
I mean I would also just book a fresh MoT and drive it there but you don’t seem keen on that?

Tye Green

876 posts

123 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Dunno if it's the case with all recovery outfits but Auto Aid Recovery will not attend your broken down car if it has no road tax (which will presumably be the case if it has no Mot).

RSTurboPaul

11,887 posts

272 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Tye Green said:
Dunno if it's the case with all recovery outfits but Auto Aid Recovery will not attend your broken down car if it has no road tax (which will presumably be the case if it has no Mot).
Interesting - I think you are correct:

https://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/members/

https://secure.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/documents/au...


Catnip64

166 posts

113 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
How far is it to the garage that you want to use and are there any closer if it's simply to get an MOT?
Remember if you drive it (or have it transported by some companies) you will need to have it insured.

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Thursday 11th July 2024
quotequote all
Catnip64 said:
How far is it to the garage that you want to use and are there any closer if it's simply to get an MOT?
Remember if you drive it (or have it transported by some companies) you will need to have it insured.
It's just over 13 miles. I think, if I am able to drive it, I will just use Cuvva and try and get it booked in.

Anyone familiar with best way to unstick stuck handbrakes? it was already taking a of travel just to get it to brake 18 months ago (in other words, I pretty much run out of travel). Not sure if I just be messaging with the adjuster that is on the level itself or not, or if it needs some kind of tampering at the disc side.

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Thursday 11th July 2024
quotequote all
Catnip64 said:
How far is it to the garage that you want to use and are there any closer if it's simply to get an MOT?
Remember if you drive it (or have it transported by some companies) you will need to have it insured.
It's just over 13 miles. I think, if I am able to drive it, I will just use Cuvva and try and get it booked in.

Anyone familiar with best way to unstick stuck handbrakes? it was already taking a of travel just to get it to brake 18 months ago (in other words, I pretty much run out of travel). Not sure if I just be messaging with the adjuster that is on the level itself or not, or if it needs some kind of tampering at the disc side.

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Thursday 11th July 2024
quotequote all
Catnip64 said:
How far is it to the garage that you want to use and are there any closer if it's simply to get an MOT?
Remember if you drive it (or have it transported by some companies) you will need to have it insured.
It's just over 13 miles. I think, if I am able to drive it, I will just use Cuvva and try and get it booked in.

Anyone familiar with best way to unstick stuck handbrakes? it was already taking a of travel just to get it to brake 18 months ago (in other words, I pretty much run out of travel). Not sure if I just be messaging with the adjuster that is on the level itself or not, or if it needs some kind of tampering at the disc side.

ConnectionError

2,064 posts

83 months

Thursday 11th July 2024
quotequote all
You cannot expect breakdown cover to move your car for you.

if it cannot be driven (for whatever reason) you need to pay for transportation

Hunts887

Original Poster:

109 posts

72 months

Thursday 11th July 2024
quotequote all
ConnectionError said:
You cannot expect breakdown cover to move your car for you.

if it cannot be driven (for whatever reason) you need to pay for transportation
Didn't expect, I asked if it was covered. But yes, I am perusing the driving first, failing that, I'm taking a transportation quote.