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I'm using my 406 on a European road trip next month. I'll be getting back to the UK a couple of days after the MOT expires. As I'm a tightwad, I've booked my return ferry crossing for the middle of the night so can't drive straight to the nearest MOT station (well, I could but then I'd have to leave the car outside until the place opened). Legally speaking, could I book an MOT for the following day and drive home (to Hereford)?
Another option is to get the car MOT'd before I leave the UK but I'm trying to avoid doing this as if it fails I think that will cancel the existing MOT. Is this correct? Also, it's an old car and am planning on dumping it abroad if anything serious goes wrong with it so don't want to spend money on it before I leave the UK. Plus am abroad at the moment and am only flying back to the UK a couple of days before leaving on the trip.
If I take the risk of driving it home with an expired MOT what are the penalties? Points, fine or both?
Thanks all.
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ChrisT
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,670
Club RR Member Number: 225
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Legal questionChrisT
@christ
Club Retro Rides Member 225
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Doesn't sound the best of plans to me - going on a road trip in a car you think isn't road worthy and coming on an open forum saying you're planning on driving it for a few days with no MOT.....
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prey
Part of things
Posts: 856
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afaik failing doesnt invalidate your current mot - thats why most people get them done early so you have potentially a few weeks to sort if the worst happens. if it was me id just get it done early enough to do any work before going, worst case you lost a months mot, but as that only works out to about 3 quid is it worth worrying about?
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Get it done before you go for piece of mind. Better you know about any potential problems with a fail than have a problem whilst abroad that will spoil the road trip.
Paul h
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If I take the risk of driving it home with an expired MOT what are the penalties? Points, fine or both? Thanks all. It was just a fine for expired MOT last thing I knew |
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,220
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Jun 16, 2013 15:13:25 GMT
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No MOT means no insurance and that's a ban.
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Jun 16, 2013 15:48:58 GMT
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No MOT means no insurance and that's a ban. No it doesn't however if you have a crash and the vehicle is in non roadworthy condition that invalidates insurance, i.e bald tyres etc |
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Jun 16, 2013 18:49:01 GMT
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The car has an MOT now and is all in order (good tyres etc) so is roadworthy.
Do I legally have to take it to the nearest MOT centre? Or could I take it back to Hereford on the basis that I would have any necessary MOT work done there?
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Jun 16, 2013 20:23:43 GMT
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This is a well trodden road, you can take it to whatever MOT station you choose, as long as it is booked in for a test and they have the details of the vehicle (reg number), must be going directly there with no deviations though. Someone on here has confirmation of this in writing from the police.
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,220
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Jun 17, 2013 11:46:27 GMT
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The original poster is talking about driving to his home from France, not directly to a MOT test station, although the test is booked for the next day, he's not going directly there, so no he's not covered.
Driving a car on the road without a MOT (unless going to a MOT station etc.) contravenes the Road Traffic Act, insurers only insure cars that meet all the conditions of the RTA, so no insurance.
I'm not a lawyer, but this based on personal experience. However, the chances of getting caught are slim, but it is possible, as I can testify.
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Last Edit: Jun 17, 2013 11:46:53 GMT by andyborris
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Jun 17, 2013 19:34:20 GMT
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Driving a car on the road without a MOT (unless going to a MOT station etc.) contravenes the Road Traffic Act, insurers only insure cars that meet all the conditions of the RTA, so no insurance. I'm not a lawyer, but this based on personal experience. However, the chances of getting caught are slim, but it is possible, as I can testify. This has been tested in a court of law,lack of MOT does not invalidate your insurance. |
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randywanger_
Part of things
Nissan Bluebird P510 SSS Coupe
Posts: 946
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Jun 17, 2013 19:52:06 GMT
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Think they have ANPR cameras on the docks now, but it's common for people to be away when an MOT expires, law says you can legally drive it straight to an MOT station, not sure about going home first, but if it's in the middle of the night, the police won't be able to call the MOT station to check the booking. I wouldn't want to risk it and would either get it done before or come home a day earlier.
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Jun 17, 2013 19:53:46 GMT
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Driving a car on the road without a MOT (unless going to a MOT station etc.) contravenes the Road Traffic Act, insurers only insure cars that meet all the conditions of the RTA, so no insurance. I'm not a lawyer, but this based on personal experience. However, the chances of getting caught are slim, but it is possible, as I can testify. This has been tested in a court of law,lack of MOT does not invalidate your insurance. ^^^ thank you didn't want to get into a slanging match again. |
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Jun 17, 2013 20:24:36 GMT
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since when has a 406 been old!?
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Jun 21, 2013 11:50:40 GMT
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Thanks for all the replies.
I'm going to try and get back before the MOT expires. If I don't manage this I'll get back in the daytime, book an MOT in Hereford and drive straight there. And if it fails I can get the bus home rather than be stranded at Dover
The 406 IS old - 1996 - and only worth about £500 tops so the question was related to me not wanting to spend a fortune on it. It may well expire abroad, in which case that's where it'll stay.
Btw, we're doing a run up through Norway, Finland, Baltic States and back to the UK. Leaving around 26th July. If anyone has an equally ropey car and fancies coming along please get in touch!
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Jun 21, 2013 14:16:25 GMT
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For the sake of £30 honestly would MOT it
If I wanted to travel the miles you plan on doing, i'd want to know of any pending issues
Paul
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Jun 25, 2013 15:14:35 GMT
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Get it MOT'd before you go, don't stick your head in the sand because of fear of what might be wrong with it and then try and drive it thousands of miles.
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Jun 30, 2013 14:48:34 GMT
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The problem is that a really, really fussy MOT tester could find something to fail on most cars more than a few years old eg there is a very slight crack on the steering wheel. That is technically a fail but it hasn't been noted on the two MOTs I've put it through. There are a few other non-safety related issues like that.
The rest of the car is fine. I've gone over it thoroughly and it's as well prepared for a long trip as any car of this age can be - belts all in good nick, doesn't leak, rattle, shake when it shouldn't, tyres good for another 10,000+ miles etc. If it dies en route then c'est la vie. If it's something like the gearbox eating itself then this wouldn't have been picked up by an MOT test anyway.
If it comes back alive I'll put it in for an MOT and, hopefully, it'll be ok. If it needs something major I then have the choice of taking it home and doing the work myself or breaking it for spares. I wouldn't have this choice if I got it MOT'd in Dover and it failed.
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Last Edit: Jun 30, 2013 14:49:15 GMT by straggler
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VIP
South East
Posts: 8,302
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No MOT means no insurance and that's a ban. No MOT does NOT mean no insurance. No insurance does NOT mean a ban (unless you already have sufficient points on your license). |
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,220
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Yes, no MOT does not mean no insurance, your car will still be insured whilst in your garage, but if you fail to comply with the Road Traffic Acts, then the public liability part of using a car on the road is invalid. The Traffic Acts allow you to use a car for a reasonable distance to and from an MOT station for the purpose of testing it, not sure how overnight from France is a "reasonable distance". And I'm pretty sure that the "tariff" for no insurance is a at least a 6 month ban. And finally, can you afford the lawyers to win this augment? Not with me, I've learnt my lesson  , but with the Magistrate. |
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, but with the Magistrate.