MoT loophole could see drivers handed £2,500 fine and penalty points

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Yes I've thought about that situation myself.

So can you ever take the car away from the test station if it fails?
 

toopy

Club Member
Yes I've thought about that situation myself.

So can you ever take the car away from the test station if it fails?

Ive had a cars fail in the past, but either the garage couldnt repair it on the day or the day after, or i preferred to have it done else where, plenty of friends have done the same.

Got this from the comments on the article:

According to the government's own website for "Driving a vehicle that’s failed":
You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid.
If your MOT has run out you can take your vehicle to:
* have the failed defects fixed
* a pre-arranged MOT test appointment
In both cases, your vehicle still needs to meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times or you can be fined.
So you can still drive after an early fail if safe to do so
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Ok but.....


You drive home, a kid runs out in front of you, you swerve and hit a tree. Nobody injured but the failure certificate says track-rod end has slight 'play' in it.

I know I'm laying it on thick but these things happen.

Rob
 

zNathan

Well-Known Forum User
Got this from the comments on the article:

According to the government's own website for "Driving a vehicle that’s failed":
You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid.

I think the point is that your old MOT certificate isn't valid anymore as the new failed MOT certificate supersedes it.
 

toopy

Club Member
I think the point is that your old MOT certificate isn't valid anymore as the new failed MOT certificate supersedes it.

Yes, but you can drive a car with no MOT/failed MOT to another garage for a pre-booked repair or to another garage for a pre-booked MOT, so you must be able to drive the car home and make suitable and convenient arrangements. Otherwise MOT stations would be full of failed cars they cant fit in for repairs for days or the owner wants it done elsewhere but they cant fit it in straight away either.
Continuing to use the car after the fail, well not so good, however, plenty of people have cars MOT'd while say at work, so for convenience they use a garage round the corner, but for any repairs, they may prefer to use their usual local outfit.

Not a personal dig at anyone, but Christ, half the people on the road dont even realise theyre MOT has expired, and people are worried about potentially breaking the law because you had the presence of mind to get it checked early! Lifes too short, Im far more concerned about teenage knife crime :(
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
.....and people are worried about potentially breaking the law because you had the presence of mind to get it checked early! ...........(

Toopy, I'm with you on this. All I was highlighting was the issues that could arise from the new 'fail' superseding the old cert. The pass cert should last 12 months and the new fail should 'kick-in' after that date.
 

toopy

Club Member
The pass cert should last 12 months and the new fail should 'kick-in' after that date.

Agree totally

There needs to be some context and common sense applied, a fail for a dodgy indicator, chip in windscreen or headlight out of adjustment, is IMO nothing that cant be sorted in a reasonable time frame, while the car is still used, in readiness for the actual date the 12 months is up.
A corroded seat belt mount, poor brakes or broken road spring, on the other hand are dangerous and should be dealt with ASAP, so drive car home and dont use on the road other than to drive it for repairs and new MOT.
 
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