How far can you legally drive to an MOT station with no MOT?

[BlueSmoke]

I am thinking of taking my car somewhere on the way to somewhere else next week for its MOT. The place is 20 miles from home, however. Is there any reason why I wouldn't legally be allowed to do this?

[Ry_B]

Mileage is no matter as long as it's booked in.

[hairykrishna]

No, as long as it's pre booked you can drive as far as you like.

[Funky Town]

Very difficult to prove but you have to be driving directly to the MOT, you can't stop off anywhere on the way

[thebigmacmoomin]

Above is correct

[Emubiker]

I was also told the above so went down to Leicster From Stirling early in th morning and drove the car back with it booked in at quickfit (not that i actually used them). Was stopped, explained what i was doing, they were a bit miffed to begin with and a quick call on the radio to get them to check that I was indeed booked in and I did have reasonable time to get there in. After checking over I had insurance (had just bought it so was another call to insurance company) I was on my way.

[OwenK]

Emubiker said:

I was also told the above so went down to Leicster From Stirling early in th morning and drove the car back with it booked in at quickfit (not that i actually used them). Was stopped, explained what i was doing, they were a bit miffed to begin with and a quick call on the radio to get them to check that I was indeed booked in and I did have reasonable time to get there in. After checking over I had insurance (had just bought it so was another call to insurance company) I was on my way.

Stirling? As in Stirling, Scotland? As in, a 325 mile, 5 hour journey? And they let you on your way?!

Blimey, I was feeling hesitant about potentially doing it on a 100 mile trip, but if you can take the piss that much and still get away with it - wahey...

[Jonny671]

I did think it had to be reasonable distance..

[Engineer1]

No you have to be driving to a booked MOT test, and it might be a good idea to actually go to the test as if you take the piss too much with the distance the copper may ring later to check, and the car had better be roadworthy.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Engineer1 said:

No you have to be driving to a booked MOT test, and it might be a good idea to actually go to the test as if you take the piss too much with the distance the copper may ring later to check, and the car had better be roadworthy.

Note the bold. You can certainly be nicked for driving an unroadworthy vehicle on the way to a pre-booked MOT test.

The MOT exemption relates only to the paper-work (no current certificate) and NOT the condition of the car.

[MGB Boy]

My Dad wouldn't have it that's its legal to drive to the MOT station.
All because a few years a go he phoned the bell ends at the local cop shop to find out if it was legal and they said it wasn't, tossers.

[Emubiker]

OwenK said:

Emubiker said:

I was also told the above so went down to Leicster From Stirling early in th morning and drove the car back with it booked in at quickfit (not that i actually used them). Was stopped, explained what i was doing, they were a bit miffed to begin with and a quick call on the radio to get them to check that I was indeed booked in and I did have reasonable time to get there in. After checking over I had insurance (had just bought it so was another call to insurance company) I was on my way.

Stirling? As in Stirling, Scotland? As in, a 325 mile, 5 hour journey? And they let you on your way?!

Blimey, I was feeling hesitant about potentially doing it on a 100 mile trip, but if you can take the piss that much and still get away with it - wahey...

Yup in Scotland. He did do a quick visual of the car though. As someone else has said you can be done for driving an "unroadworthy" car.

[BlueSmoke]

I now have another problem. Because my MOT was meant to be last week and I had to postpone to the 1st of June, I have just realised my tax runs out on the 31st of May.

Can I drive it for an MOT with no tax? I'm a bit screwed now if I can't.

And when I HAVE got the MOT done, will it go on the system straight away as I would rather buy my tax online than piss about trying to find my cover note etc. to take to a post office.

[Puddenchucker]

BlueSmoke said:

Can I drive it for an MOT with no tax? I'm a bit screwed now if I can't.

Yes, because otherwise it would be a catch 22 situation as you can't tax a vehicle without a valid MOT.

The vehicle MUST be insured though.

[Engineer1]

Carry your insurance with you the reminder and on the way home go to the post office to buy a tax disc. The online Tax renewal should be OK it just depends how quick the MOT registers, Post office may be a better bet.

[BlueSmoke]

Engineer1 said:

Carry your insurance with you the reminder and on the way home go to the post office to buy a tax disc. The online Tax renewal should be OK it just depends how quick the MOT registers, Post office may be a better bet.

OK thanks guys.

It's all insured, I'd never take that risk and like to think I am generally a decent human being!

[rallycross]

425 miles.


Have done it a few times where the car I was picking up was supposed to have an mot but surprise surprise its just expired, so with a pre-booked mot and insurance, edinburgh to london (its only 6 hrs on a good run so its possible to set off in time to get to a 5pm mot)

Just dont get stopped on route!