Pre M.O.T or full M.O.T

[Stag About Town]

It seems to me that putting the car into a reputable garage for a pre M.O.T. check might be a good compromise between a full M.O.T. or no M.O.T. At least it would be checked over by a professional mechanic and if anything is flagged up, you would not be under pressure to get the job done in time for a free re-test. Also no blot on the computer records at DVLA. Any opinions ? John

[022Dave]

Hello John,

I've declared mine as exempt, but I shall still have a 'proper' MOT test done at a time convenient to me in the early summer. If there was anything major that needed doing to the car, I would treat it as urgent before thinking of using the Stag again, rather than fixing it in slow time. At least an MOT certificate, which is logged on the government system, is probably a more worthy document than a note from a mechanic saying the car is ok, and will probably be similar in terms of cost, as well as being a continuation of the car's history. The test is an inspection of its safety, and our insurers insist that we keep the car in a roadworthy condition, so a full MOT satisfies that requirement without question.

Dave

[Motorsport Micky]

Getting the Stag MOTd is a good idea, a different pair of eyes will often pick up something where ours wouldn't, HOWEVER the MOT only says the car would pass it on that day, after that it's down to you to continually make sure the car is in a condition to pass the test and be legal for the roads. Use it in a condition that doesn't comply to standards and the MOT and you could be liable.
Even worse if the garage points something out which you don't fix for whatever reason you are definitely in the crosshairs because the garage will have it logged (jobcard and invoice to yourself) and insurers will then state you are culpable (you definitely are) in the event the MOT failure is instrumental in an accident.
I understand what you mean but don't think the "non MOT " will achieve what you think and could put you in the mire, just MOT it and don't worry about any "blot on computer records".
Components wearing out and failing is normal in vehicles in use and on commercial vehicles where they have Operator Licence testing far tighter than the MOT at 6 weekly or sometimes less intervals (depending upon operation) the inspecting authorities EXPECT to see a trail of comments on a vehicle over a number of months from garage testers such as "off side track rod end wearing acceptable" through to "worn - replace". Alternatively just maintain the vehicle yourself...meticulously, and replace components and repair as required to make sure it's always in good MOT compliant condition...just like now.

Micky

[StagJonno]

And remember, the MOT is VAT-free .

[Stag About Town]

Hello John,

I've declared mine as exempt, but I shall still have a 'proper' MOT test done at a time convenient to me in the early summer. If there was anything major that needed doing to the car, I would treat it as urgent before thinking of using the Stag again, rather than fixing it in slow time. At least an MOT certificate, which is logged on the government system, is probably a more worthy document than a note from a mechanic saying the car is ok, and will probably be similar in terms of cost, as well as being a continuation of the car's history. The test is an inspection of its safety, and our insurers insist that we keep the car in a roadworthy condition, so a full MOT satisfies that requirement without question.

Dave

Hi Dave. I have no firm views on this other than some periodic independent check by an expert should be carried out at suitable intervals or mileage but just thought I would sound out some opinions. Out of interest I spoke to my local garage today on the subject. They are "old school" and know their stuff. They offer both full M.O.T. and pre M.O.T. inspections but since the pre 1960 era cars became M.O.T. exempt they introduced a "Road worthiness" certification which many classic owners are finding a good compromise. Obviously any inspection only applies on the day carried out. I can remember before M.O.T.s were introduced, some insurers demanded a similar document called an "engineers report" for some cars and owners. All interesting stuff. John

[Ritchie6]

Hi Dave. I have no firm views on this other than some periodic independent check by an expert should be carried out at suitable intervals or mileage but just thought I would sound out some opinions. Out of interest I spoke to my local garage today on the subject. They are "old school" and know their stuff. They offer both full M.O.T. and pre M.O.T. inspections but since the pre 1960 era cars became M.O.T. exempt they introduced a "Road worthiness" certification which many classic owners are finding a good compromise. Obviously any inspection only applies on the day carried out. I can remember before M.O.T.s were introduced, some insurers demanded a similar document called an "engineers report" for some cars and owners. All interesting stuff. John

Just out of curiosity how much do they charge for a "Road worthiness" certificate? It's not something I've looked into locally as I got mine MOT'd last year but it might be worth considering.

Richard

[022Dave]

Hello Richard,

My local classic-friendly garage said that they wouldn't be offering a non-MOT test, as it would be more expensive (as Jonno said, the MOT test is vat free), so there's no financial gain for the owner. I paid £45 for my MOT test, although I believe KwickFit tyres are doing them for £25 if you book online, but that saving might be eroded by them finding 'faults' which they can then charge to repair!

Dave

[richardthestag]

the issue is that if the car fails a proper MOT then exempt or not it shouldnt be used until it passes an mot. from my understanding of the complex rules and regs on dvla

second set of eyes to look over the car - entirely up to you. I do not judge either way but annual MOT does go into the cars history folder which might help the next owner to make up their mind

Probably do not need to say but - find a classic friendly family run business and do not look at any of the nationwide type autocentres for your mot, it will fail on something really daft

[Ritchie6]

Hello Richard,

I believe KwickFit tyres are doing them for £25 if you book online, but that saving might be eroded by them finding 'faults' which they can then charge to repair!

Dave

Call me an old cynic Dave but I certainly think there would be a bit of an incentive for some of these nationwide chains to look for way to increase their turnover and be far too strict, especially with some younger testers not familiar with classics and their idiosyncrasies-ie a certain amount of play in taper bearings and emissions etc.

Last year I shopped around and was quoted £30-55 for an MOT. In the end I chose a small family run garage and as it turned out an old work colleague of mine did the MOT for £45. Just like the good old days he had me sit in the car operating lights, waggle the steering up on the ramp and pressing brakes while on the rolling road.These days you tend to be confined to the waiting area (Health & Safety??) It passed with no advisories but he did mention a split starting to appear in a steering rack gaiter which I changed a couple of weeks later. I suspect that one of the large national chains would have failed it and then offered to fix it, thereby relieving me of loads of cash in the process. Also this local garage don't charge for re-tests so that's I'll be going back to in April. When I bought the car in 2017 it came with a pile of old MOTs going back 30 years and I want to continue this as to me it adds to the history and provenance of the car

Richard

[RobinLegin]

My 1955 Alvis is something the MOT centres prefer to avoid! There is no one who knows the standards that would be applicable to the car. So instead I take her to a local garage where the family covering 3 generations are familiar with old classics. And they will look for the faults that might affect road safety and tell me what if anything needs to be done. My Stag will be going there, and for the sake of a few pounds savings on the VAT free MOT, I think I will get a better and more relevant once over.
I did ask the local MOT centre if they knew what emissions were allowed on the Alvis under test. Guess what?

[Stag About Town]

My 1955 Alvis is something the MOT centres prefer to avoid! There is no one who knows the standards that would be applicable to the car. So instead I take her to a local garage where the family covering 3 generations are familiar with old classics. And they will look for the faults that might affect road safety and tell me what if anything needs to be done. My Stag will be going there, and for the sake of a few pounds savings on the VAT free MOT, I think I will get a better and more relevant once over.
I did ask the local MOT centre if they knew what emissions were allowed on the Alvis under test. Guess what?

I understood most classic cars are exempt from emissions tests, M.O.T. or not? I presumed this is to do with the standards and equipment that applied at the time of production. A bit like rear seat belts and stuff like that. John