Did You Know

[mikexgough]

It's not a 13 month mot though is it? yes you can get it early, I always do this, but it still runs from the same date, so you still only get the same 12months ticket The risk is, if it fails, that you effectively shorten the previous mot, seems to be a grey area, not been able to get a definitive answer on that one.

I agree it's not strictly a 13 month but covers you to the same expiry date a year hence from the "old" certificate so it's really an extended certificate......as if your like me I get busy in late May/June.....so I get mine done early....
There are schools of thought,which are not tested in law, regarding if you fail the early taken MOT....most I speak to say your still covered on the current MOT as it has not yet expired

[longhaul8]

The vosa stand and the new computerised mot cert is if you go in early for a mot and your car,bongo or whatever fails you then have no mot because the test station updates the national data base so if you come accross a ANPR camera system you will flag up as having no mot.

If you really go in to the small print a mot is only really valid untill you leave the test station. they say that to cover themselves.

So you can say put wheels with good tyres on pass the mot nip home and change the wheels again to doggey tyres and you still have a full mot (just a example)

This info was given to me by vosa while having a wagon tested and i was told it applies to all classes of mot's

[mikexgough]

The vosa stand and the new computerised mot cert is if you go in early for a mot and your car,bongo or whatever fails you then have no mot because the test station updates the national data base so if you come accross a ANPR camera system you will flag up as having no mot.

This info was given to me by vosa while having a wagon tested and i was told it applies to all classes of mot's

I would like to see that in writing as you can still produce the "old" hard copy certificate with a future expiry date on it and it isn't retained by the testing station.
I guess that is one for lawyers to argue in court as a test case...as for databases, you see so many on the Insurance database being pulled via ANPR when the database has not been amended .....

[longhaul8]

i agree with what you say about having the hard copy with an expirary date. i have always gone for an early mot like most but as i was put to me if you fail an mot that car is not road worthey so it validates the old mot.

having a hard copy is a grey area look at those idiots who take out insurance on a monthly instalment plan pay a couple of months and then stop. their insurance is then no longer valid but they still have a hard copy.

[mikexgough]

i agree with what you say about having the hard copy with an expirary date. i have always gone for an early mot like most but as i was put to me if you fail an mot that car is not road worthey so it validates the old mot.

having a hard copy is a grey area look at those idiots who take out insurance on a monthly instalment plan pay a couple of months and then stop. their insurance is then no longer valid but they still have a hard copy.

I do get what your saying about the VOSA mafia and their database and I know from my MOT tester buddy that they are useless for passing on info and upcoming regs...... Now my buddy says the old test certificate is still valid and your covered.....but not withstanding that and not saying I don't trust his wise words......I went to mottester,co.uk and there the same question is asked..... MOT CERTIFICATE VALID UNTIL FAILURE DATE
A friend of mine maintains that if you have a car MOT Tested before the expiry date she will have 2 weeks in which to repair / drive it before it is illegal. I am under the understanding that once the MOT has expired you are not permitted to drive at all unless going to and from a place of repair (MOT Garage or otherwise). Please can you clairfy the correct and legal thing to do. Many Thanks, Dan Clark


Your MOT is valid until its expiry date even if in the meantime your car fails the MOT - the original pass is still valid. In fact you can have the Test done up to a calendar month before the expiry date and have the new MOT forward-dated to the expiry date of the existing certificate. So if you have your car Tested during that month and it fails, this gives you time to have the repairs carried out and the car re-tested before the expiry of the original certificate and you are not disadvantaged as a result. - MOTT.

Now not stopping there....... askthepolice the official Police site came back with......
If a Motor Vehicle fails an MOT test prior to the expiry of an already existing valid MOT Certificate for the vehicle is the original and still in date MOT certificate invalidated?

The existing MOT is valid until the date it expires. You need to make any necessary repairs to your car and arrange for it to retake (and pass) the test before the expiry of the MOT certificate.

I await the reply from VOSA..... and my Lawyer buddy..... the plot thickens....although we all know a failure is a failure and to my perspective your only covered to return to home and repair before retest and not riding around the country for the duration left on the previous certificate...

[Rhinoman]

he showed me the bit of kit they are pimping for garages to buy....the test has been suggested to him is plug in ......check the lights...pass or fail...simple..

I'm guessing that its not a £30 trailer board

[longhaul8]

Hi again mikexgough,

It just seems to be one complete nightmare this early mot lark, i have always taken my cars for an early mot but it makes me wonder. now as we all know the motorist is the latest cash cow and if a way can be found to releave us of some more hard earned they will find it and do it.

I am of the opinion to carry on as i have always done untill the time one of us finds a difinitive answer.