Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

MOT expired...

17 replies

crosbystillsandmash · 03/01/2022 00:03

Caught me out because it was due New Years Day but I've managed to book one for first thing Tuesday morning.
There's conflicting information online and I wanted to know if I can make a short journey tomorrow?
Dh thinks it's fine because I have a test booked in, I'm not so sure!!

OP posts:
hadtoomanymincepies · 03/01/2022 00:04

No you're only allowed to drive to the test centre.

OppsUpsSide · 03/01/2022 00:05

No you can’t

LawnFever · 03/01/2022 00:05

@hadtoomanymincepies

No you're only allowed to drive to the test centre.
This, you’re only valid to drive to get the mot done, nothing else.
HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 03/01/2022 00:06

As above, only reason you are allowed to drive now is to take it to a ore-booked MOT.

From the .gov website

If the MOT has run out
1 If your tax is due to run out, register your vehicle as ‘off the road’’_ - you cannot renew your vehicle tax if your MOT has expired.
2 Book an MOTT_ test.
3 Tax your vehiclee_ once it has passed its MOT.
You cannot drive or park your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.
The only exceptions are to drive it:
• to or from somewhere to be repaired
• to a pre-arranged MOT test

PheasantsNest · 03/01/2022 00:22

You can only drive to a pre booked MOT nowhere else.

Hairyfriend · 03/01/2022 00:31

We got pulled over last year for an expired MOT. Somehow, our insurance and MOT paperwork is a month apart and I'd paid and sorted one, not the other. We were driving in a small village and a police car came in the opposite direction. They then turned around with lights and sirens on! It was awful, as I'd honestly thought it was all sorted and paid for.

Tomorrow, you need to a bus, train, taxi or defer your journey till after the MOT is sorted.

GreenLunchBox · 03/01/2022 00:40

@Hairyfriend

We got pulled over last year for an expired MOT. Somehow, our insurance and MOT paperwork is a month apart and I'd paid and sorted one, not the other. We were driving in a small village and a police car came in the opposite direction. They then turned around with lights and sirens on! It was awful, as I'd honestly thought it was all sorted and paid for.

Tomorrow, you need to a bus, train, taxi or defer your journey till after the MOT is sorted.

Did you get any sanctions against you? Im inteterested to know what the police actually do if they catch you. So many people have this happen to them because theyve not set up a reminder.
MaybeHeIsMyCat · 03/01/2022 00:43

As others have said no, only to the test centre

You can check your MOT and set up a reminder here
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

(I think the worst I have seen was 18 MONTHS out of date) Blush

Hairyfriend · 03/01/2022 01:14

@GreenLunchBox: Did you get any sanctions against you? Im inteterested to know what the police actually do if they catch you. So many people have this happen to them because theyve not set up a reminder

From memory, it was a fine only and no points or sanctions. DH was driving. I just recall being mortified, as never had a fine or been pulled over myself and being convinced all the paperwork had been sorted. I recall scrabbling in the gloves box trying to find the documents to prove it must have been wrong.

loudbatperson · 03/01/2022 01:25

If you use a proper source the information isn't conflicting at all.

You can only drive to a pre booked MOT appointment.

thereisonlyoneofme · 03/01/2022 10:18

What are the odds of being caught though. My neighbour has had no tax or MOT or insurance for over a year, still driving it.

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 10:26

@thereisonlyoneofme

What are the odds of being caught though. My neighbour has had no tax or MOT or insurance for over a year, still driving it.
Depends where you're driving and how lucky you are.
BewareTheRedNosedDragon · 03/01/2022 10:27

I forgot until the date one year and it was a real pita, so now I put a reminder in my phone diary that pops up well in advance telling me to book it in. Doesn't help now but may help for future.

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 10:29

@BewareTheRedNosedDragon

I forgot until the date one year and it was a real pita, so now I put a reminder in my phone diary that pops up well in advance telling me to book it in. Doesn't help now but may help for future.
Lots of MOT centres will send you reminders.

Register on the AA automyze site

Lockdownbear · 03/01/2022 10:37

@thereisonlyoneofme

What are the odds of being caught though. My neighbour has had no tax or MOT or insurance for over a year, still driving it.
I'm surprised he hasn't been caught. But I'd be tempted to tip the police off, more because if he causes an accident the other person cannot claim his insurance.

You can check the tax on the DVLA website. I lived in a street with limited parking, and a guy who liked to take up 4/5 spaces with old bangers, not sure if his plan was to sell them or what but, the council would remove them as abandoned cars once the tax was out.

Kitkat151 · 03/01/2022 10:37

You will most likely be fine....BUT if anything happens.....your insurance will be invalid....if you are a risk taker then go for it.....personally I wouldn’t

BlueSky8 · 03/01/2022 10:39

I drove with no MOT for 5 months after my DF died, he dealt with all of that, I was young.
How I didn't get caught I do not know.
I couldn't risk it knowing it had ran out tbh. It's not worth it.
Only allowed to drive to the garage as pp

New posts on this thread. Refresh page