Last MOT?

[Andy S]

I have the Stag booked in Saturday week for it’s MOT.

Nothing unusual to you consider the fact that it may be it’s last ever MOT.

I’ve not checked it over and to be honest I haven’t really driven it much over the last few months given the weather so i’m not even sure If all is okay.

What got me thinking was assuming it fails for a trivial item is whether I could drive it once a the MOT test is abolished for over 40 year old cars. Come May would I have to re-test it as it failed before the change comes in.

Must remember to chat to the garage about annual checks and whether they are prepared to take over the role of the MOT station.

Andy S

[milothedog]

I have the Stag booked in Saturday week for it’s MOT.

Nothing unusual to you consider the fact that it may be it’s last ever MOT.

I’ve not checked it over and to be honest I haven’t really driven it much over the last few months given the weather so i’m not even sure If all is okay.

What got me thinking was assuming it fails for a trivial item is whether I could drive it once a the MOT test is abolished for over 40 year old cars. Come May would I have to re-test it as it failed before the change comes in.

Must remember to chat to the garage about annual checks and whether they are prepared to take over the role of the MOT station.

Andy S

You have a legal obligation to ensure your car is roadworthy when using it on public roads. If it fails a test it is not and remember the MOT test only means your car met the minimum standard set out at the time of the test. Your obligation to maintain it to that standard applies all he time whether its exempt or not.

I don't think plod or the DVSA would consider any item that caused it to fail its test as trivial......

[Rod1883]

I will continue to get the Stag, and the other classics, MOT'd.
Where else can you get an independent engineering safety check on your car for ~£50?

[edd]

Part of the problem is not using the car. When your using it you can detect slight changes. Next minute it's spending month after month doing nothing in damp conditions Rats and other vermin nibbling at parts. Brakes seizing up. Hydraulic fluids leaking from a slave. If your not mechanically minded it might need several checks per year before and after storage. Good luck it sounds like your idea of at least one annual check up is the right thing to do.

[milothedog]

I won't but each to their own. The question was " Can I use my car with a known fault" after it becomes MOT exempt. The answer is No because it won't be meeting the minimum standard that you will be signing for and agreeing to when you claim the exemption.

[fussydave]

With an MOT if your vehicle fails you know that you are illegal if you carry on driving on the road and you are more likely to get the non-conformance fixed. (I accept that there will always be some that will not worry if their car fails the MOT but that unfortunately is life). However, even if you have a voluntary check you are likely to intend to get the non-conformance corrected but may defer, forget or delay the repair because there is less immediate pressure to get the repair done and no traceable proof that the car is not roadworthy.

I cannot see why an age appropriate MOT could not be introduced to ensure some level of road-worthiness is maintained. It is only issues such as emissions that cannot be met by older vehicles. The car still needs to stop, have a sound braking system, have no fuel leaks, not be rotten, have sound suspension, safe tyres and have functioning lighting, etc, the bulk of the MOT test.

Dave.

[Andy S]

You have a legal obligation to ensure your car is roadworthy when using it on public roads. If it fails a test it is not and remember the MOT test only means your car met the minimum standard set out at the time of the test. Your obligation to maintain it to that standard applies all he time whether its exempt or not.

I don't think plod or the DVSA would consider any item that caused it to fail its test as trivial......

Rubbish, how many of us would not use our car because the horn wasn’t working that morning, or we had concerns our headlamp alignment wasn’t quite right.

The really big one here is how do drive your car in an unroadworthy condition to get it fixed if it’s not exempt because it’s work to get it fixed for an MOT test.

Andy S

[milothedog]

Rubbish, how many of us would not use our car because the horn wasn’t working that morning, or we had concerns our headlamp alignment wasn’t quite right.

The really big one here is how do drive your car in an unroadworthy condition to get it fixed if it’s not exempt because it’s work to get it fixed for an MOT test.

Andy S

Its not rubbish its the rules, you asked a question, I gave an answer with my Ex MOT testers hat on

[richardthestag]

Rubbish, how many of us would not use our car because the horn wasn’t working that morning, or we had concerns our headlamp alignment wasn’t quite right.

The really big one here is how do drive your car in an unroadworthy condition to get it fixed if it’s not exempt because it’s work to get it fixed for an MOT test.

Andy S

you forgot the smilie Andy

if you get pulled over and tell the TrafPlod that he/she is talking rubbish about the drivers obligation to ensure roadworthyness.....

bad headlamp adjustment? **** I thought I was in France for a moment . seriously though, flippin nightmare to be honest

[fussydave]

If your car fails an MOT and you choose to drive it away, even if you intend to get it repaired and resubmitted, your car is now unroadworthy in the eyes of the law, the same as if you drive it knowing the horn is not working. You are only allowed to drive a car without an MOT back to the test station to get it tested. If it fails the MOT and you choose to take it away, to be legal you should have it transported away.

Dave.

[I am Groot]

Rubbish, how many of us would not use our car because the horn wasn’t working that morning, or we had concerns our headlamp alignment wasn’t quite right.

The really big one here is how do drive your car in an unroadworthy condition to get it fixed if it’s not exempt because it’s work to get it fixed for an MOT test.

Andy S

Andy sadly you will have to think twice because if heaven forbid you have an accident and a person didnt see you then the police check the none motd car and horn isnt working i think you might be much more at risk of private or public prosecution and i wonder what your insurers will say! Theres a lot to be tested here so i am getting an MOT every year ! The other aspect is how do limited mile insurance policies work from now on , they have no datum point on a diy maintained classic with a milometer that takes 30 mins to wind back!?

[milothedog]

If your car fails an MOT and you choose to drive it away, even if you intend to get it repaired and resubmitted, your car is now unroadworthy in the eyes of the law, the same as if you drive it knowing the horn is not working. You are only allowed to drive a car without an MOT back to the test station to get it tested. If it fails the MOT and you choose to take it away, to be legal you should have it transported away.

Dave.

And the retest has to be booked in with the Test Station to cover you and you must take the most (reasonable) direct route there.

[DJT]

The current MOT on my Stag expires on 16th May; 4 days before the new rules apply. At least I’ll have almost a full year for the new rules to ‘bed in’ before I need worry about the next one - or not......

[Phil S]

Interesting comments,
I am the most important thing carried in my car...my loved ones come next
My and their safety comes first.
An MOT or any other test along with good maintenance is a must for all vehicles.

Phil

[72BLUE]

If your car failed the MOT due to an illegally spaced number plate, would that render it unroadworthy?

Cheers
Keith