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

[General3857492]

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)

Thanks everyone. I thought that it was an error on the system and I was causing More arguments by not letting them go but I’ll stick to my guns

The thing is if he gets stopped by the police they will impound the car straight away and if the children are in it, they will have to get out which won't be a very pleasant experience for them. Stick to your guns.

How can you possibly think you are being unreasonable?

Agreed. It is 100% reasonable for you to insist your children do not travel in an unsafe vehicle. I suppose you could Report him to DVLA, as a last resort?

If he hasn't taxed the car since 2022 he likely doesn't bother to insure the car either. I'd report him. Much safer for your DC for the car to be taken.

YANBU. If the car failed (ie not just an advisory), it failed because it's not safe.

Email your ex that he can collect the DCS when you have seen evidence that the car is taxed & mot'd. Until then, you have to assume the car is not safe.

@Notastripper i did receive bayliff letters 6 months ago about insurance that had deferred. I forwarded the letter and he’d told me it had been sorted so I reckon that you’re probably right.

You've got proof. That it doesn't have an MOT.

Tax and insurance are irrelevant to she safety of your children. Lack of MOT most definitely is!

Tell him it's awful that the system's not updated so you've contacted the dvla and given them his information so they can sort out their error and he's very welcome, it wasn't a bother at all. Happy to help.

YANBU - Insurance matters too OP.

I work with people with acquired brain injury, mainly caused by car crashes. The ones that had insurance got excellent payouts to pay for 24 hour care. No insurance means no payout - sorry, I know it's extremely unlikely to be in this situation but occasionally people are.

MOT is definitely updated immediately on gov.uk.
We were watching ds's car go through a retest last week and saw it before the garage confirmed to ds it had passed.

But when was the expiry of the previous MOT? It’s possible he could have presented early and therefore still have a valid one. No excuse on the tax though!

I can’t believe 4% think YABU, OP! Sounds as if he may not have insurance either. Definitely don’t let DC near his car till it’s sorted.

@Shade17 no, mot expired 13/02

Was just a thought. Did it fail on anything major? Is it possible he can’t afford to repair it? Not that it makes a difference of course but I can understand someone taking that chance when they can’t afford ££££ for repairs vs someone who just can’t be arsed to fix something for £50.

He has no mot so the car is regarded as not safe. He probably has no tax on it either.
You received a letter about a missed car insurance payment as well at some stage. So in effect he is driving a car with no MOT and with a strong possibility that it not insured either.
I would not let him collect your kids in this car. If they are involved in an accident they could end up needing a lot of care, support and expensive medical treatment that could improve their outcome and give them a better quality of life. As an poster said here having car insurance means that you can make a claim and can use this money to pay for what they need.
I would report this to the police and tell them that you have reason to believe that he is driving a car with no MOT or insurance.

@Shade17 3 majors, 2 advisories. I’m sure that it’s the case to be perfectly honestly but it’s still not safe. He came to my children's football game last Friday telling them that he was going to take them to his mums next weekend which is a 2 hour drive and when I said that we’d need to message about it (meaning no) he told my children to their faces that I was keeping them away from him. Baring in mind they’re 5 and 7. It was disgraceful

I would be checking the car tax too.

I believe you can check insurance via the MID.

I definitely wouldn't be letting them go into the car unless you can see evidence on MOT, Tax and insurance. YADNBU..

Stick to your guns OP, it is insanity to think kids can go in a car that has no MOT! 3 major faults too!

Maybe he insists you get a court order to request the proof of MOT pass from him. But that'd be a pretty stupid move on his part, when in court the gov website will show clearly the status of the car. And he's been driving since the MOT failure. What a wally.

You can check if its taxed
https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax
And there is also a link on the same page to check insurance

Daddy's car is broken. Rinse and repeat.. And report online to the police. I reported exh die drink driving.. No hesitation.. Your ex is as stupid imo.

@doodoodahdah wally is an understatement 🤦🏼‍♀️

No MOT, tax or insurance?
Surprised he hasn't had a tug already as most police cars nowadays have ANPR which is linked directly to the DVLA database showing the MOT, Tax and insurance details...

You'd be surprised!! A few months ago, we were parked in a McDonalds car park watching a succession of battered ancient cars with JustEat/Deliveroo drivers coming and going. Just for "fun", I started checking, and nearly every one had something illegal, whether no road tax, expired MOT or no insurance. One had none of those 3 at all!

Clearly the police aren't that bothered as they could have "nicked" nearly all those delivery cars just by parking up with their machine thingie pointed at the cars coming and going! Quite a few looked unfit to be on the roads too.

It wouldn't surprise me if some of the drivers didn't even have licences.

Mine has been absolutely Instant everytime it's been MOTd. Same as all my family. I think it's very unusual to take anything close to it. But that aside he should have a paper copy