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Original poster

To not let my children in a car with a failed mot and no tax

91 replies

General3857492 · 04/03/2024 11:51

I have recently been made aware that my children's dad’s car has failed it’s mot. He told me as he couldn’t have them for the weekend as he was unable to drive to pick them up (I don’t drive). I have since checked up on the gov website and it’s not been updated as passed (I think it’s just been failed, he’s realised it’s too expensive and left it) and has not been taxed for the duration.

I have told my ex that if he wants the kids to go in the car the website will either need to update as having valid for both of them or he will need to provide evidence to me. He is refusing to send valid evidence even though he’s adamant that Everything is up to date, even though the website says that it is not. He has told me I need to get a court order to get any kind of proof off him 😴 am I being unreasonable to not let them in the car (he will not see them if they are not able to go in his car)

OP posts:
Hairspray123 · 04/03/2024 11:53

No Tax, No MOT = no insurance

Why would he even want to rake the risk with his own children. Crazy

BertieBotts · 04/03/2024 11:54

I'm a bit confused sorry.

He said he couldn't drive them when the car had no MOT - now he is saying he can drive them, but you think the car still has no MOT?

BertieBotts · 04/03/2024 11:55

Do you have a contact order? It might affect whether you are legally OK to withold contact for any reason.

Geebray · 04/03/2024 11:55

The only proof you can trust is the govt website. Otherwise he could be waving any piece of paper at you.

If his car's passed his MOT, it will be updated on the website. It's all very strict these days.

DappledThings · 04/03/2024 11:56

BertieBotts · 04/03/2024 11:54

I'm a bit confused sorry.

He said he couldn't drive them when the car had no MOT - now he is saying he can drive them, but you think the car still has no MOT?

Yes, she has reason to think he's lying about it now having passed as "I have since checked up on the gov website and it’s not been updated as passed"

Redglitter · 04/03/2024 11:57

If everything was up to date then it'd show up online. The MOT status is updated the instant an MOT is completed now. I got a notification mine had failed before the garage had a chance to tell me

You're doing the right thing. Tell him until it shows online his car has passed its MOT & is insured your children aren't going near it

Original poster
General3857492 · 04/03/2024 11:57

@BertieBotts it was an excuse basically as to why he couldn’t have them for a weekend as his mot had failed and it wasn’t convenient. He has said since he has had it fixed but the government website has not updated to say that, it still says failed mot and issues not been rectified and not been taxed since 2022. He’s adamant that it’s been fixed and I’ve asked for proof but he refuses. He also has a long old track record of telling porkie pies

OP posts:
Wholettherabbitsout · 04/03/2024 11:59

I’d insist on MOT. Tax and insurance are his problem, not the kids. If he ends up with a fine or bankrupt because he hasn’t paid tax or insurance and has an accident it won’t impact on the immediate physical safety of your kids. No MOT means the car is not roadworthy and I’d put that in the same non-negotiable category as having suitable and correctly installed carseats.

HelloWorldItsNiceToMeetYou · 04/03/2024 12:00

BertieBotts · 04/03/2024 11:55

Do you have a contact order? It might affect whether you are legally OK to withold contact for any reason.

She's not witholding contact though, just saying they can't get in an untaxed and unroadworthy vehicle.

muddyford · 04/03/2024 12:00

If it's not taxed and has no MOT it's not insured either, so I wouldn't be letting anyone get in the car. I reported a car like this via Crimestoppers and it vanished from the road within 24 hours.

ancienticecream · 04/03/2024 12:02

Wholettherabbitsout · 04/03/2024 11:59

I’d insist on MOT. Tax and insurance are his problem, not the kids. If he ends up with a fine or bankrupt because he hasn’t paid tax or insurance and has an accident it won’t impact on the immediate physical safety of your kids. No MOT means the car is not roadworthy and I’d put that in the same non-negotiable category as having suitable and correctly installed carseats.

These are my thoughts exactly

Original poster
General3857492 · 04/03/2024 12:03

@BertieBotts no contact order, but I have said that they’re not going with him. He will not find alternative ways and I’m not able to take them over as he lives out in the sticks away from bus routes.. plus I’m sure that they would travel when I wasn’t there. I’ve said that until it’s fixed he’s able to come and see them and visit but they’re not going with him which he’s not happy with at all

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 04/03/2024 12:05

Makes sense. I'd stick to it in that case. He can take you to court if he wants to argue. He likely won't bother, I expect.

Clearinguptheclutter · 04/03/2024 12:07

It’s not inconceivable that the website doesn’t update automatically (even though it might do 99% of the time) but in that case he would have a piece of paper or email to confirm.

no mot=
no valid insurance =
no trip in car for the kids

”sorry xdp, unless you can show me proof of MOT pass the kids won’t be getting in your car. You’re welcome to pick them up by bus/train or I can walk them down to …. to meet you”

CormorantStrikesBack · 04/03/2024 12:08

Report him to the police for driving about untaxed and uninsured. They’ll seize the car if you’re right.

taxguru · 04/03/2024 12:08

As said above Gov.uk MOT website is updated virtually instantly. When I've had my car in for service and MOT, I've been able to check the gov.uk website to see if it's passed or failed before the garage have even contacted me to tell me directly. It's pretty much live/instant.

Re no insurance, there's no way I'd be a passenger in an insured car or let any children of mine go in it. If there's a crash, you'll have untold problems trying to get compensation/physiotherapy etc and any medical treatment other than via the NHS.

Towerofsong · 04/03/2024 12:09

Wholettherabbitsout · 04/03/2024 11:59

I’d insist on MOT. Tax and insurance are his problem, not the kids. If he ends up with a fine or bankrupt because he hasn’t paid tax or insurance and has an accident it won’t impact on the immediate physical safety of your kids. No MOT means the car is not roadworthy and I’d put that in the same non-negotiable category as having suitable and correctly installed carseats.

Tax is his problem but Insurance IS the kids problem.
If he had an accident and God forbid the kids were injured and needed ongoing treatment or care, or had life impacting injuries that money would help provide assistance for, insurance wouldn't pay out.

Bumblebeeinatree · 04/03/2024 12:10

It sometimes takes a while for the Gov web site to update. Hence sometimes people get stopped for their car being illegal, but they are actually OK, just a lag in the system. How out of date are the documents?

LoveSandbanks · 04/03/2024 12:11

General3857492 · 04/03/2024 12:03

@BertieBotts no contact order, but I have said that they’re not going with him. He will not find alternative ways and I’m not able to take them over as he lives out in the sticks away from bus routes.. plus I’m sure that they would travel when I wasn’t there. I’ve said that until it’s fixed he’s able to come and see them and visit but they’re not going with him which he’s not happy with at all

He’s your ex, why give a shit about his happiness. Nobody but the stupidest morn would think it was remotely ok to allow your kids to be in a car with no mot etc. personally, I’d report the fucker.

mum11970 · 04/03/2024 12:12

Usually takes between 24 and 48 hours for the .GOV to update MOT, assuming the test centre logs it straightaway, but can on the rare occasion take a little longer.

JanetareyouokareyouokJanet · 04/03/2024 12:14

Report the car. It will get seized and we will all be a bit safer.

katmarie · 04/03/2024 12:24

When I last MOT'd my car (two weeks ago) I was sitting in the garage reception, and the gov't website updated before the mechnic had even made it back into the room, to tell me the outcome. It really is instant. So, no MOT on the website means no MOT.

Original poster
General3857492 · 04/03/2024 12:26

@mum11970 no, so the website says not failed on the 14th of feb. No updates since

OP posts:
itsnotabouthepasta · 04/03/2024 12:27

General3857492 · 04/03/2024 12:26

@mum11970 no, so the website says not failed on the 14th of feb. No updates since

That's not a lag in the system then

Just report the car as untaxed and unroadworthy. Then the police will do what they need to do and everyone else will be safer on the roads.

YouDidntEvenAskIfSheWasThereMoriarty · 04/03/2024 12:36

I've had my car MOTed a couple of days ago. I've checked just now and yes it's updated online.