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Original poster

Can't get MOT booked in for a whole month. Can I drive my car?

129 replies

F0Xintherainbow · 03/10/2023 10:47

MOT runs out tomorrow. Can't get it in anywhere for at least three weeks. Anyone know if I can still drive it if it's booked in somewhere? This didn't used to happen! Is it just my area? I've called four garages and all booked up

OP posts:
Thewizardbinbag · 03/10/2023 13:19

MidnightOnceMore · 03/10/2023 13:11

The MOT is what demonstrates it is deemed roadworthy in our system.

Show quote history

Some guy got pulled over on the motorway driving a car without any doors on it. For some reason, all the doors had been removed and he was really just in a shell of a car. His excuse was that it still had a valid MOT so he thought it was fine!

Thewizardbinbag · 03/10/2023 13:20

To all the people saying that you’re uninsured if you drive without a valid MOT then does that mean you’re uninsured as you drive to the MOT centre without an MOT. No. No, it doesn’t. You are still insured.

AriannasGuitarCase · 03/10/2023 13:21

It'll depend on your area. In NI, the backlogs were so long that the PSNI and insurers agreed that cars could be used as long as an MOT date was booked. I think it's now changed to the PSNI still saying it's fine, but drivers have to check with the individual insurer if they'll still be covered. NI has a different system though, MOTs can't be carried out at garages so the backlogs were ridiculous at one point

colourwheelofortune · 03/10/2023 13:28

You're stuffed I'm afraid. I was in a similar situation and had about 2 days, but luckily I got booked in that day. I've now set up an alert via the GOV website to alert me by email in plenty of time.

Woodandsky · 03/10/2023 13:35

I can highly recommend trying through this site:
https://bookmygarage.com/mot/
I always manage to get something reasonably local quickly with them, usually a main dealer (of a completely different car to mine), and quite often at less than full price. You pay the garage direct when you get it MOT'd so you don't have to worry about paying up front.

Book an MOT Near You | Compare & Save | BookMyGarage

Join over 11 million drivers who have compared and saved up to 70% at thousands of UK test centres. 4.7* on Trustpilot. Book an MOT near you online today.

https://bookmygarage.com/mot

margotrose · 03/10/2023 13:35

You'll just need to look further afield until you can find a garage with space, or hire a car until you can get yours in for a test.

I always ring to book my MOT a month before it's due to make sure this doesn't happen!

Graciebobcat · 03/10/2023 13:36

Try a local Facebook group - someone may know of vacancies at short notice.

gbpaln · 03/10/2023 13:49

Look to see if you have a drive through MOT centre where you do not have to pre book. They have been springing up over last few years. Possible you have one near you.

BlueRabbitYellow · 03/10/2023 13:51

There's a shortage of MOT testers and car mechanics in my area (SE). A unexpected effect of Brexit maybe? I'd booked mine into a KwikFit only to be phoned up the day before it was due in to say both testers had quit that day for other jobs. QuitFit! They refunded my pre payment and I was left scrambling around all the local garages. I got it done the day before it was due. Bit stressful. I had planned ahead too which was annoying.

mummyh2016 · 03/10/2023 13:51

You can't however the one year I did it accidentally. I'd got into my head my MOT was due at the end of the month (it was actually midway through the month) our post was also delayed at the time so I didn't get any reminders until after I'd had it done. I drove for couple of weeks before realising. I wasn't stopped or anything - obviously I wouldn't recommend this though.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 03/10/2023 13:52

Everyone has already said it all re not being able to drive. Crazy it’s all booked up so far in advance. Never come across that where I live

Mmhmmn · 03/10/2023 13:53

No, you can only drive it to the MOT centre.

Shade17 · 03/10/2023 13:54

The MOT is what demonstrates it is deemed roadworthy in our system.

All an MOT proves is that it was roadworthy at the time of the test, nothing more.

Metheven · 03/10/2023 14:06

I believe you can book it in at the MOT test centre and take it there yourself, you don't have to go through a garage. Obviously if something needs doing, you need a garage, but if it passes with nothing needing doing, you will be ok.

orangegato · 03/10/2023 14:06

Think you’re on the bus for a month!

NeedTheSeaside · 03/10/2023 14:08

TooOldForThisNonsense · 03/10/2023 13:52

Everyone has already said it all re not being able to drive. Crazy it’s all booked up so far in advance. Never come across that where I live

@TooOldForThisNonsense

its a combination of too few testers & the covid extension to MOT's making September/October top heavy. The MOT places are going mad! the Govt needs to find a way to spread them out again!

LittleBrenda · 03/10/2023 14:18

The two kwik fits closest to where I work have no availability though so saying "just go to kwik fit!" isn't exactly helpful!

The three closest to me all have availability for tomorrow.

Can't get MOT booked in for a whole month. Can I drive my car?
DogInATent · 03/10/2023 14:19

F0Xintherainbow · 03/10/2023 10:47

MOT runs out tomorrow. Can't get it in anywhere for at least three weeks. Anyone know if I can still drive it if it's booked in somewhere? This didn't used to happen! Is it just my area? I've called four garages and all booked up

When they extended the MOTs over Covid they created a bunching of MOT due dates. Which are already bunched by the new registration dates. On top of that a lot of mechanics have retired. And the MOT test itself changed a couple of years ago.

You need to book MOTs well in advance these days.

User174085934 · 03/10/2023 14:22

I noticed that when DH and I booked our MOTs in January and March the wait was 2-3 weeks, we get reminders from the Gov.UK website. I would sign up to these OP as it is sometimes hard to remember the date and book directly you get the reminder

Karatema · 03/10/2023 14:24

Cheeesus · 03/10/2023 10:54

If you got caught, it’s not just a big fine, but wouldn’t your insurance be invalid?

Insurance will still be valid but, in an accident, the insurer would only give minimum amounts so car is more likely to be written off than repaired!

PonkyPonky · 03/10/2023 14:38

There’s a pretty good website you can put your reg in and it will tell you the nearest places with the soonest MOT availability. You may have to travel a way but you’ll be able to find one sooner than 4 weeks. You definitely cannot drive it once expired

Nelly91 · 03/10/2023 14:39

These things happen! Try ALOT more garages I'm sure you will find one 🙂

Original poster
F0Xintherainbow · 03/10/2023 14:55

Okay thank you everyone. Got it booked in for Thursday at a kwikfit which is a bit annoying to get to but much better than waiting a month!

OP posts:
RandomUsernameHere · 03/10/2023 14:56

Calm down everyone, OP wasn't to know everywhere would be booked up.
I was in a similar situation recently. You could try KwikFit online, you can check the availability at all their test centres, much easier than ringing round places.