General: Failed MOT can I still drive it until MOT is up

[Nunchukhamster]

Originally Posted by keithyboy

What we are saying is that the only way I can legally drive my car home from an MoT testing station is if it has passed the test. If I get stopped on the way there and any defects are found, I can be prosecuted. If they stop me on the way home after a fail, they have prior knowledge (from VOSA's system) of what the defects are and can point them out and prosecute me.

Nope, you can SPECIFICALLY drive a car to a pre-booked MOT test with no valid MOT and insurance companies (and VOSA and Plod) are fine with that.

[migrator]

Originally Posted by Nunchukhamster

Nope, you can SPECIFICALLY drive a car to a pre-booked MOT test with no valid MOT and insurance companies (and VOSA and Plod) are fine with that.

The same conditions apply to taking your car to/from pre-booked service repair work required to bring the car up to MOT standard. You are permitted to have the car repaired and to travel to a pre-booked test but no other road use is permitted after you have been told it is not roadworthy.

[Laney760]

Originally Posted by migrator

The same conditions apply to taking your car to/from pre-booked service repair work required to bring the car up to MOT standard. You are permitted to have the car repaired and to travel to a pre-booked test but no other road use is permitted after you have been told it is not roadworthy.

Only for the pre-booked work if the garage is a reasonable distance from you, I think there is actually a mileage limit. I wanted to take my camper to Cornwall for the work, don't ask why!, from Oxfordshire, the Police thought it a bit unreasonable when I asked, surprise surprise, LOL

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

I have asked a number of my managers this question, no one can give me an answer. To me, if the car has been declared unroadworthy (failed) then its not legal to drive until the work has been carried out to bring the car back to a road worthy condition.

[4 forty]

perhaps joining the motester forum would get you positive answers from mot testers themselves, after all, they are conversant with all the ins and outs.

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Originally Posted by 4 forty

perhaps joining the motester forum would get you positive answers from mot testers themselves, after all, they are conversant with all the ins and outs.

I work in the MOT centres in N Ireland, and i cant get a straight answer lol

[migrator]

Originally Posted by NI_Volvo_Nut

I have asked a number of my managers this question, no one can give me an answer. To me, if the car has been declared unroadworthy (failed) then its not legal to drive until the work has been carried out to bring the car back to a road worthy condition.

That is correct with the following exceptions.

You may drive the car back (home) after the failed test.
You may drive the car a reasonable distance to a workshop where you have booked the car in for repairs to bring the car up to MOT standard and back from there if the workshop is not carrying out an MOT re-test.
You may drive the car to a pre-booked MOT re-test and back after the test if it fails.
If it passes the re-test then you are OK to go (and happy ).

The above is from VOSA (over the phone today).

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Originally Posted by migrator

That is correct with the following exceptions.


You may drive the car a reasonable distance to a workshop where you have booked the car in for repairs to bring the car up to MOT standard and back from there if the workshop is not carrying out an MOT re-test.

I'd be cautious about this one, i know in NI this isnt the case, Mr Policeman is well within his rights to 'do you' if caught driving other than to and from a pre arranged MOT.

That said, most cops are sensible and if you can prove this is all your doing they will let you carry on.

[keithyboy]

Originally Posted by Nunchukhamster

Nope, you can SPECIFICALLY drive a car to a pre-booked MOT test with no valid MOT and insurance companies (and VOSA and Plod) are fine with that.

Yes but the same provision doesn't specifically allow you to drive a car with defects.