Driving to an MOT station

[JoeF2021]

I am looking at buying a CAT N car and repairing it myself. The car has only minor damage to the front bumper and wing however its MOT expired last month.
Usually I wouldn't think this was a major issue, would just book it in to my trusted garage close to home and drive it straight there. Only issue is I live in South West London and the car is in Manchester so it is about a 4 hour drive to the test centre. I think the legislation says if the vehicle does not have a valid MOT certificate you are supposed to only drive it to your nearest MOT centre for the test however in court people have challenged this and been let off?
If I were to be pulled over what do you think my chances would be? I do genuinely intend to take it straight to my test centre, even if it fails it is only £20 for a retest and I will know where I am.

[anonymous-user]

The usual reply to this goes along the lines of yes it's technically legal, but also yes a traffic copper will probably think you're taking the p*55 and find something to give you a ticket for!

[944 Man]

The law does not limit distance or prescribe route.

[anonymous-user]

Surely from a safety point of view you would want to know it us safe to drive? Just book an mot near.

[944 Man]

As suggested above, you can also drive home without distance or route restriction.

[carreauchompeur]

There’s no restriction on distance, but no exemption for dangerous defects.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I drove a car from Malaga to Surrey for a pre booked MOT.

[Ardennes92]

Surely you are taking it to your nearest mot station not the cars, does need to be roadworthy though

[edthefed]

To or from an authorised testing station in connection with a pre booked test if i remember the wording correctly

Pre booked being the important word

[edthefed]

To or from an authorised testing station in connection with a pre booked test if i remember the wording correctly

Pre booked being the important word

[bigandclever]

JoeF2021 said:

If I were to be pulled over what do you think my chances would be? I do genuinely intend to take it straight to my test centre, even if it fails it is only £20 for a retest and I will know where I am.

Pulled over for no mot in a slightly written-off motor, chances of a long, grumpy, one-way conversation are probably quite high

Chances of actually being pulled are probably quite low. Do you feel lucky?

[wack]

It all depends if it's roadworthy , any sharp edges ar bits hanging off and you're likely to get stopped and the car impounded

My mot ran out , the garage I use is 40 miles away , I spoke to someone at vosa who said it was legal to drive straight there and back

That may be at your insurance companies discretion though so I'd ask before setting off

[anonymous-user]

[quote=wack] it was legal to drive straight there and back
/quote]

not if it has dangerous MOT fault?

[martinbiz]

wack said:

That may be at your insurance companies discretion though so I'd ask before setting off

Absolutely nothing to do with your insurance

[over_the_hill]

JoeF2021 said:

I think the legislation says if the vehicle does not have a valid MOT certificate you are supposed to only drive it to your nearest MOT centre for the test however in court people have challenged this and been let off?

The legislation does not mention distance. Only that the MOT needs to be pre-booked.
Therefore you would not be "let off" in court because you will not have committed an offence to be let off from.

[Super Sonic]

bigandclever said:

Pulled over for no mot in a slightly written-off motor, chances of a long, grumpy, one-way conversation are probably quite high

Chances of actually being pulled are probably quite low. Do you feel lucky?

Disagree. Chances of a pull are quite high due to anpr. You only have to drive past one police car w anpr and it will flag you up. Speaking from experience.

[littleredrooster]

carreauchompeur said:

There’s no restriction on distance, but no exemption for dangerous defects.

An accurate and succinct answer. Would that all answers in SP&L were of the same quality and that less bilge was posted when similar questions are posed.

[peterperkins]

You can drive from Lands End to John O'groats if you want to a pre-booked MOT that's convenient for you.

Of course you need insurance etc and the car should not be in a dangerous condition.

It can have faults that would fail an MOT but that does not invalidate the journey.

If they are dangerous faults you commit a separate offence.

[vonhosen]

peterperkins said:

You can drive from Lands End to John O'groats if you want to a pre-booked MOT that's convenient for you.

Of course you need insurance etc and the car should not be in a dangerous condition.

It can have faults that would fail an MOT but that does not invalidate the journey.

If they are dangerous faults you commit a separate offence.

Not just dangerous faults, it shouldn't be committing any offences however trivial.

[fourstardan]

Has it had advisories before?

Might probably save your life (and someone elses) if you know what's wrong with it.