Driving without an mot

Helpful hints and tips.plus some good offers from ur specialists and advice on motoring abroad
Post Reply
User avatar
thedupleman
Club Owner
Posts: 16736
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: s-Coupe (1991-1996)
Engine: 2.0
Location: Hcoc bunker, sandbach
+_number: 0002
Has thanked: 41 times
Been thanked: 154 times
Contact:

Driving without an mot

#1

Post by thedupleman »

Almost all vehicles in the UK need to be tested once per year to ensure they meet legal requirements including mechanical condition and emission levels. The emissions requirement is an effort to minimise the effect vehicles have on the environment.
An MOT certificate is not proof that a vehicle is road legal, it only means the vehicle has been subjected to an MOT inspection. This means the vehicle was considered road legal at the time of the MOT test.

If you drive a vehicle on the roads of the UK and your vehicle is not covered by a valid MOT then you are liable for a fine of up to £1000. Not having an MOT makes it impossible to legally obtain road tax. Driving a vehicle that is not taxed can lead to either a large fine, confiscation of your vehicle and or crushing of your vehicle.

From time to time police officers may request you produce your certificate of MOT. This is sometimes done when you are stopped for any reason, and the officer asks to see proof of an MOT. 

If you do not have your certificate on you, you will be provided with a form that requires you to produce your MOT certificate and any other driving documentation requested at the time of the stop. You will be able to produce these documents at a police office of your choice.

Failure to produce these documents can also result in a large fine.

The police now have a far greater chance of catching drivers who do not have a valid/genuine MOT. The police national computer now has a lot more information about each driver and each car. The police are now able to quickly know if a car is taxed, insured and in some cases covered by a  valid MOT.

MOT testing is a legal requirement and if you choose not to renew your MOT there is a very good chance you will be caught. Not having an MOT means you cant renew your road tax. Driving with an out of date tax disk is a sure way to get into a lot of trouble. 

If you drive without an MOT you will almost certainly get caught.

 


Look out guys it’s him that thinks he’s in charge!
cassanova2
I'm getting good at this
Posts: 40
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:22 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: s-Coupe (1991-1996)
Engine: 1.5
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Driving without an mot

#2

Post by cassanova2 »

Hi everyone,

I am sure that the only legal driving without a current MOT certificate is going to and from an MOT centre for a pre booked test or to a garage / workshop for pre booked mot work.
Also for driving without a valid tax disc is for the same reasons.

This was the case and it wouldn't make much sense if these exceptions were not still in place.
User avatar
bex
Airbrush Queen and Advice Star
Posts: 2413
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:07 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: Gen3
Engine: 2.0
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 84 times
Contact:

Re: Driving without an mot

#3

Post by bex »

They know now via computer so theres no point driving without. And you literally have to be driving straight to a garage for an mot. They are strict on that and will look into it. If it has failed I dont think your allowed to drive it back without an mot either?
User avatar
bex
Airbrush Queen and Advice Star
Posts: 2413
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:07 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: Gen3
Engine: 2.0
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 84 times
Contact:

Re: Driving without an mot

#4

Post by bex »

Thats good to know., had garages in the past give me a fail and a massive bill and pretty much scare me into getting it done by them there an then! I dont leave it till last minute now so it always goes in a few weeks before so I have time to sort out problems! I am dreddding the coupes mot. I have no positive thinking on it what so ever... does anyone have a list of things that get check on mot? I know basics to check would be bulbs work ibc reg plate ones, windscreen ,tyre tread, wiper blades clean windscreen arnt damaged, brakes, handbrake, My car needs a tone of repairs so i'd rather just do the essencials for mot as it due in about 8 weeks. So I know mine is currently failing on handbrake, windscreen and indicators (you know it aint gonna work on the day!) Probably seat belt tentioner aswel if the check that. And it has no engine warning light - but not sure if thats a fail ,... probably is.
User avatar
cervantes
Been here forever
Posts: 5416
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:09 am
Real Name:
Coupe: Non-Coupe
Engine: 2.0
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Driving without an mot

#5

Post by cervantes »

Image
User avatar
bex
Airbrush Queen and Advice Star
Posts: 2413
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:07 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: Gen3
Engine: 2.0
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 84 times
Contact:

Re: Driving without an mot

#6

Post by bex »

:handgestures-thumbupleft:
User avatar
foxfeeder
Posts: 1542
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:36 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: Veloster
Engine: 1.6
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Driving without an mot

#7

Post by foxfeeder »

The higher level police cars (not "panda" routine patrol cars) have ANPR cameras which will flag up to the occupants any car * that has not got current tax/MOT/insurance or registered owner. So they don't even have to make a conscious effort to spot you.

* Except if you are driving one of the estimated 15000 cars that have been brought into the country from the EU and, despite a requirement to do so, not been re-registered on UK plates within 6 months. These cars can drive around without tax/MOT or insurance for years. And do! Cos they're not "in the system" and couldn't be taxed insured or MOT'd here. These require a conscious effort by the police. Which never happens!

Rant over!
cassanova2
I'm getting good at this
Posts: 40
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:22 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: s-Coupe (1991-1996)
Engine: 1.5
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Driving without an mot

#8

Post by cassanova2 »

Taken from an official MOT website.

When you can MOT your vehicle

You can renew your MOT up to one month before it expires without affecting your annual expiry date. You can find out when the earliest date to MOT your vehicle is by checking the front of the pass certificate.

If tested early and fails the test the remaining time on the previous certificate is still valid although you should get
any failure items repaired straight away.

Why you need an MOT certificate

It is generally an offence to use on a public road, a vehicle of testable age that doesn’t have a current test certificate, except when:

taking it to a test station for an MOT test booked in advance

bringing it away from a test station after it has failed the MOT test, to a place of repair

taking it to a place, by previous arrangement, where problems that caused the vehicle to fail its MOT test, can be repaired & bringing it away from a place where the problems with the vehicle have been repaired

Even in the above circumstances you may still be prosecuted for driving an unroadworthy vehicle if it doesn’t comply with various regulations affecting its construction and use. Your car insurance may also be invalid.

The police can ask to see an MOT certificate for a vehicle that needs to have one. They also have access to the computerised records of MOT test results and can tell if the MOT certificate for your vehicle has expired.

It is your responsibility as the vehicle owner to ensure that the due MOT test is carried out in time. You can use the peel off reminder sticker on the front of the certificate and put it in a place where you’ll be reminded of the expiry date. A place like the sun visor or the back of the tax disc holder facing inside the vehicle.

The penalty for driving a vehicle on the road with an expired MOT certificate is a fixed penalty notice from the police, currently £60, or a court fine up to a maximum of a £1,000.
Post Reply