Discussion
If a car failed it's MOT due to a blowing exhaust, but you've got the vehicle booked in for a replacement at the end of the month, is it OK to drive it in the meantime?
I'm assuming it's technically illegal, but if you were to be pulled over, what is likely to happen, assuming you can prove that a) the reason for the MOT failure was the exhaust blowing and b) that it is booked in for a replacement?
I'm assuming it's technically illegal, but if you were to be pulled over, what is likely to happen, assuming you can prove that a) the reason for the MOT failure was the exhaust blowing and b) that it is booked in for a replacement?
snodog said:
I'm sure one of the BiB's will be along to give you the proper answer, but IMHO, it would have to be illegal. Your MOT has expired. If I recall, the only time you can legally drive your vehicle with an expired MOT is to a pre-arranged test.
And if your car has failed an MOT it's also illegal to drive, even if the old cert is current. This wasn't a problem before the advent of computerised records, but presumably "they" now know you have an MOT fail... Can you not bodge a repair until you get it replaced?
And if your car has failed an MOT it's also illegal to drive, even if the old cert is current. This wasn't a problem before the advent of computerised records, but presumably "they" now know you have an MOT fail...
I don't think that applies unless the garage has issued a note to the effect that the car is a danger. Surely that is why people used to book the car in for an MOT early so that they would have time to get things fixed in the event of failure. Taken to its extreme any failure would mean the garage would virtually impound every car unless you recovered it on a truck.
I don't think that applies unless the garage has issued a note to the effect that the car is a danger. Surely that is why people used to book the car in for an MOT early so that they would have time to get things fixed in the event of failure. Taken to its extreme any failure would mean the garage would virtually impound every car unless you recovered it on a truck.
ehasler said:
The garage it's at is trying this at the moment, but they're not convinced it'll work.
I'd already decided to replace the whole system, but the earliest it can be done is the end of the month
I'd already decided to replace the whole system, but the earliest it can be done is the end of the month
So long as the bodge lasts long enough to pass the MOT you're fine then
I said:
And if your car has failed an MOT it's also illegal to drive, even if the old cert is current. This wasn't a problem before the advent of computerised records, but presumably "they" now know you have an MOT fail....
rewc said:
I don't think that applies unless the garage has issued a note to the effect that the car is a danger. Surely that is why people used to book the car in for an MOT early so that they would have time to get things fixed in the event of failure. Taken to its extreme any failure would mean the garage would virtually impound every car unless you recovered it on a truck.
AFAIK it's correct, and in this day and age I can't imagine common sense being applied if there's fines to be had.
Can anybody quote the regulation that says an existing MOT certificate becomes void on the issue of a subsequent failure notice?
If you are going to be forbidden to drive a car away from a garage when it has failed an MOT but the old cert is still in force I can see no advantage in getting the MOT done early.
Does this mean it is the end of getting things fixed and then bringing the car back for a recert unless it was removed on a tow truck?
It would encourage garages to charge extortinate rates for items that could be obtained cheaper elsewhere e.g. exhausts or making a nice little earner from "Pre-MOT checks".
If you are going to be forbidden to drive a car away from a garage when it has failed an MOT but the old cert is still in force I can see no advantage in getting the MOT done early.
Does this mean it is the end of getting things fixed and then bringing the car back for a recert unless it was removed on a tow truck?
It would encourage garages to charge extortinate rates for items that could be obtained cheaper elsewhere e.g. exhausts or making a nice little earner from "Pre-MOT checks".
This is a question & response in the frequently asked questions section of the VOSA site:
MOT CERTIFICATE VALID UNTIL FAILURE DATE
A friend of mine maintains that if you have a car MOT Tested before the expiry date she will have 2 weeks in which to repair / drive it before it is illegal. I am under the understanding that once the MOT has expired you are not permitted to drive at all unless going to and from a place of repair (MOT Garage or otherwise). Please can you clairfy the correct and legal thing to do. Many Thanks, Dan Clark
Your MOT is valid until its expiry date even if in the meantime your
car fails the MOT - the original pass is still valid. In fact you can have the Test done up to a calendar month before the expiry date and have the new MOT forward-dated to the expiry date of the existing certificate. So if you have your car Tested during that month and it fails, this gives you time to have the repairs carried out and the car re-tested before the expiry of the original certificate and you are not disadvantaged as a result. - MOTT.
MOT CERTIFICATE VALID UNTIL FAILURE DATE
A friend of mine maintains that if you have a car MOT Tested before the expiry date she will have 2 weeks in which to repair / drive it before it is illegal. I am under the understanding that once the MOT has expired you are not permitted to drive at all unless going to and from a place of repair (MOT Garage or otherwise). Please can you clairfy the correct and legal thing to do. Many Thanks, Dan Clark
Your MOT is valid until its expiry date even if in the meantime your
car fails the MOT - the original pass is still valid. In fact you can have the Test done up to a calendar month before the expiry date and have the new MOT forward-dated to the expiry date of the existing certificate. So if you have your car Tested during that month and it fails, this gives you time to have the repairs carried out and the car re-tested before the expiry of the original certificate and you are not disadvantaged as a result. - MOTT.
As far as I understand
You have to have a valid MOT (it is valid until it expires)
Your car has to be roadworthy (capable of passing an MOT - although this would have to be proved which requires that an MOT is conducted)
You have to have a valid MOT (it is valid until it expires)
Your car has to be roadworthy (capable of passing an MOT - although this would have to be proved which requires that an MOT is conducted)
Edited by mozza9 on Wednesday 12th July 22:13
Edited by mozza9 on Wednesday 12th July 22:14
It's always a good idea to get a blowing exhaust fixed ASAP. If it's at the back end then it's not so serious, but if it's a conventional motorcar, and it's in the downpipe, there's no telling what else might get damaged as a result of the hot gasses.
Edited by dilbert on Wednesday 12th July 22:27
dilbert said:
It's always a good idea to get a blowing exhaust fixed ASAP. If it's at the back end then it's not so serious, but if it's a conventional motorcar, and it's in the downpipe, there's no telling what else might get damaged as a result of the hot gasses.
They couldn't find the source of the leak at it's last service, but it's been getting worse recently so I've booked it in for a new complete sports system, however the parts won't be in until the end of the month. Fortunately, they've managed to find the hole now, so it should be welded up tomorrow and I'll be all legal 
Edited by ehasler on Wednesday 12th July 22:32
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