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AIBU?

To drive my car knowing MOT has expired?

103 replies

Bouncingbeans · 18/11/2012 20:22

Desperate situation and cant sleep for worrying.

I am normally very law-abiding (honestly) and would never normally consider this but my MOT expired last week. It failed due to leaks and other problems which will cost me around £300 to fix. The mechanic confirmed it is safe to drive for now but they were not aware of expiry date and I didnt tell them that it had expired that day.

Heres the dilemma. I cannot get DD to school and then myself to work without my car. I am in serious financial problems with a debt management plan in place and no family that I can reach out to for help. My exH left me around 5 years ago and I have struggled through in that time, building up credit card debts and stupidly getting into lots of problems but trying so hard to keep roof over our heads. I have no savings and no access to any credit/extra money due to the DMP.

I will be able to pay for the car repairs when I get paid on 28th by using money I was going to use for Christmas (juggling around Direct Debits). I cannot afford to take that amount of time off work by asking for unpaid leave and it would not go down well to phone in sick either.

Really cant get my head around what to do. Public transport is not really possible as would mean trains/buses/long walks but even if I could I do not have the money (car has enough petrol to get me through till payday).

So, aibu to get in my car in the morning? I think it may invalidate my insurance, so does this mean I am putting other people at risk too? I am 52 years old and feel like the biggest idiot ever.

OP posts:
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cece · 18/11/2012 20:25

It will invalidate your insurance.

Get someone else - a friend or neighbour - to take DD to school.
Cycle to work.
Ask a colleague for a lift.

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 18/11/2012 20:25

If you hit me, another skint driver, ai would face costly repairs on my car because you are not insured (as a by product of no MOT). I wouldnt be able to get to work either.

Dont let your problem become other people's problem too. It is not just about whether your car is fit for the road.

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 18/11/2012 20:26

Dodnt mean to put 'ai' Grin meant 'I'

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DowagersHump · 18/11/2012 20:26

Your insurance will be valid but any damage to your car will be considered as if it was a car without a valid MOT. Given yours has failed, I don't think that it's going to make much difference in that respect unless the lack of MOT means it's unsafe (and your mechanic has confirmed it's not).

Sorry you're having such a tough time - hope things pick up

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safflower · 18/11/2012 20:26

I feel for you, and see that you are in a nightmare predicament. I would probably on this occasion drive, although it goes against my principles. If the insurance becomes null and void, i would not though.

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SecretNutellaFix · 18/11/2012 20:26

you are invalidating your insurance.

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DowagersHump · 18/11/2012 20:27

And it's not true that your insurance is invalid - sorry, x-posted.

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LunaticFringe · 18/11/2012 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nellyjelly · 18/11/2012 20:27

Don't do it. Will invalidate onsurance so if you have a bump you are really on the crap. Plus you can be fined for no MOT and ins if caught.

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scurryfunge · 18/11/2012 20:28

It won't invalidate your insurance but you run the risk of a fine. Please try to find other transport solutions.

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Fakebook · 18/11/2012 20:28

How didn't they know the MOT had expired? Not only are you invalidating your Insurance, you are putting your mechanics at a risk of law breaking and you're putting yourself, your children and other road users at risk with your broken car.

DON'T DRIVE.

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Chubfuddler · 18/11/2012 20:28

You'll be insured for third party claims but not for your own damage. It's still really stupid and if your insurers find out could affect your ability to obtain insurance in the future.

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StickEmUp · 18/11/2012 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StickEmUp · 18/11/2012 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

safflower · 18/11/2012 20:29

can you not get the repairs done and borrow the repair money from family or friend until you get paid? I thought you meant just driving tomorrow, not until the 28th in which case I would definitley not do it.

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kim147 · 18/11/2012 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DowagersHump · 18/11/2012 20:30

Here are the facts.

It's the fine I'd worry about most if I were you given money is so tight

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Fakebook · 18/11/2012 20:30

Why do you show your MOT certificate to get car tax disc? Surely it invalidates something, if not insurance.

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Bouncingbeans · 18/11/2012 20:30

Thanks everyone. Such a good point about not making my problem, someone elses. So wrapped up in my own issues, of course I didnt see it that way.

OP posts:
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Itsjustafleshwound · 18/11/2012 20:31

No valid insurance, risk of having your car towed/scrapped and big fines.

Could you not get a lift ro work and make other arrangements?

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 18/11/2012 20:32

What is your sickness.policy like at work \ do you have any annual leave left? Just as a back up for if you cannot get in tomorrow? Of course, this is after exhausting all options.

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CointreauVersial · 18/11/2012 20:32

You are not being unreasonable, you are breaking the law. It's up to you if you want to take that path, but I wouldn't. If you are stopped by the police they will impound your car.

Next year, get your MOT done a month before it expires so you have a bit of breathing space to save for any repairs. But I do sympathise with your financial situation; running a car is expensive.

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McChristmasPants2012 · 18/11/2012 20:33

I wouldn't drive without the mot on the car, you are in enough financial problems without facing a £1000 fine and between 6-9 points on your licence.

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bitsofmeworkjustfine · 18/11/2012 20:34

can you come to an agreement with the garage? ours is brill and often fixes Dh's car and we pay him on payday

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hermioneweasley · 18/11/2012 20:37

Could you pay the garage with a credit card that you pay off at payday?

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