To drive my car knowing MOT has expired?

[Bouncingbeans]

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.

[minibmw2010]

All you need is to drive past a police car, their machine pings and tells them you are without an MOT and you're screwed. I have a lot of sympathy for you, I truly do, but you can't do it, you just can't.

[Doinmummy]

I'm sorry that things are tough for you financially but please don't drive, my OH was hit by an uninsured driver and it's been a nightmare trying to sort it out. He has had to fork out thousands himself to get his car (London taxi) back on the road.

[piglettsmummy]

Are you kidding? If u are normally a very law abiding person you shouldn't even be asking this question!!! No mot will invalidate your insurance! You say you don't have the money for it, put it this way if a police officer were to do a check on your car ( which they do a lot Of random checks) and find it is not mot,
You could face serious fines! Then what? Your in even more debt!! If u hit a person they would have to pay for there own car
To be repaired! What if that person needed there car? What if it was to ferry a disabled person around or was there lively hood! I think its a very selfish decision to drive without MOT and u shud think very carefully about he repercussions!

[ImperialBlether]

I hadn't realised my MOT had run out this month and on about the 3rd I was stopped by the police. Their camera/computer had picked up that my MOT was overdue. I was told to go and get it done, which I did.

OP, could you ask your employer to loan you the money? A lot of places will do that, particularly if you need your car to get to work.

[scurryfunge]

Piglettsmummy, it will not invalidate insurance but you do run the risk of a fine.

[Doinmummy]

It will invalidate the insurance

[piglettsmummy]

It will invalidate insurance, you can't insure a
Car without an MOT otherwise everyone would be driving round with no Mot!

[Bouncingbeans]

I did take a deep breath and ask the garage but they said no, in this climate they dont take any chances. Fair enough.

I have just emailed my manager to request emergency family leave tomorrow (one day's unpaid) while I think of something else to do until the 28th. DD can get to school without me, its just that I drop her on the way so thats one less thing to worry about.

I have learnt my lesson and will never ever leave it so late again, no excuse.

Thanks again everyone, agree that I could be building up much bigger problems by getting in car tomorrow.

[ImperialBlether]

But having an unpaid day will just make it worse for you next month, OP. Would you be able to do an extra day somewhere else?

[piglettsmummy]

Why do U not use public transport, ano u said something about it being long but needs must and it sounds like I can't afford to miss work!

[piglettsmummy]

You not I oops !

[yousankmybattleship]

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time. Please don't drive your car, but I hope you have a friend who can help you out and get you to work. This is the time to call on friends to help. I know I'd much rather help a friend than think of them driving an unsafe or illegal car.

[scurryfunge]

If you are already insured then having no MOT will not invalidate your insurance.

[Bouncingbeans]

Public transport is possible but I just dont have the money for the train fare (I know how pathetic that sounds) as literally every penny is accounted for.

I have sat here all weekend feeling sorry for myself and havent driven the car since coming back from the garage but all of your replies have been the kick up the backside I needed, and probably why I posted here. I know it was stupid to even consider driving but feeling so down with everything at the moment, and not making sensible decisions, but self-pity is not going to resolve it, and the thought of causing other people problems has made me wake up to the stupidity of my OP.

Thanks again to you all.

[McChristmasPants2012]

How about using wonga £300 and pay back £350

[Doinmummy]

You need to check your car insurance policy, just looked at mine and it says no MOT = No insurance

[thenightsky]

Have you got a list of the actual work that needs to be done? Can you ring around and see if you can get it cheaper than £300?

[goralka]

I feel for you OP but please do not drive everything is on computer.

[Anifrangapani]

Insurance invalidation depends on the terms & conditions of the contract signed between the parties.
For mine no MOT means no insurance.
As I have a 3rd party f&t I would have to pay if my car was run into by an uninsured car.

Please check your policy.

[thecatsminion]

Could you contact your debt management plan company (sorry, not entirely sure how it works, legislation is slightly different here) explain the situation and ask them to help with a loan? It is presumably better for them that you don't get into bother at work, as if you lose your job then they won't get their money back.

[MousyMouse]

I feel for you but don't do it!
check out bus routes, ask other parents if they can take your dc, ask for an advance at work, check if a colleague could give you a lift...
just don't drive without MOT/insurance

[Doinmummy]

I've PM'd you

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I hardly think a payday loan is the thing to be suggesting...

OP is there no other way that you can get to work? You cannot take loads of unpaid days because that just adds to your problem.

[Aspiemum2]

Yes to ringing around for a cheaper quote. A local garage may well agree to part payment if possible for you to come up with say half now and other half on the 28th.
As pp mentioned it is worth asking your employer for a small loan to tide you over, humiliating yes but they may well agree so would be worth it.
If worst comes to worst and you do consider a payday loan then my advice would be to see how much public transport would be and if its cheaper take enough to cover that. I hate these payday loans and would try any alternative first.

Are you eligible for an emergency loan from the job centre?

[Aspiemum2]

Just thought, do you have anything you could sell, looking round my house I can pick out a fair few "I'll chuck on eBay when I get a minute" items! Of course eBay takes a while but gumtree or the local paper might be an option for things you no longer need