Can I obtain an MOT where my van is parked up in The Algarve (1 Viewer)

[Dusty Pidgeon]

My wife and I had to leave our Motorhome parked up on a secure site near Lagos and fly home from Faro on the 24th March due the the site we were camped on closing up under Portuguese Gov directives.
The van MOT runs out on Dec 18th. I have spoken to UK DVLC and they have said I could obtain an MOT in Portugal but then another different MOT in Spain or France so the the van insurance is still valid. Has anyone had this same s experience under the current COVID situation ? I am reluctant to fly out say in Oct to drive the van back home and the drive back to Portugal again in Dec.

 

[jumartoo]

A vehicles MOT or equivalent is only legal in the country of registration.

Portugal and Spain will do a test, but it means nothing for legality and insurance reasons.

 

[Lenny HB]

No and it must have an MOT to drive it in Portugal. Unfortunately if your MOT had run out in March you would have got a 6 month extension. It might be worth asking DVLA for an extension at least then you could get back legally.

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[jumartoo]

No and it must have an MOT to drive it in Portugal. Unfortunately if your MOT had run out in March you would have got a 6 month extension. It might be worth asking DVLA for an extension at least then you could get back legally.

Their vehicle is still legal until December. They won't get an extension?!

They will need to take it back for its MOT and then have their 90 days in Schengen

 

[IanRJ]

British registered vehicles in Spain and Portugal are only legal for 6 continuous months, in any case, but must have a current insurance. I’ve not heard of the Police ever checking MOT on relatively new foreign vehicle, but they can, and will confiscate a vehicle they suspect being in country for 6 months plus or without insurance.

It’s not a guarantee, but there are people I know who have taken their Brit vehicle to Gibraltar, as it’s then out of the country (Spain that is) and had an MOT done there, it’s not a UK relevant MOT but has worked to satisfy authorities in several cases. You might also insure your van through a Spanish or Gibraltar company such as Abbeygate, or preferably Ibex.

As I said, not really a cast iron solution but could give you some breathing space to get back there, and at some point get your van home.

Having said all of that I’ve never been stopped in my Brit car or Motorhome in 12 years anywhere n Europe.

HTH

 

[jumartoo]

could give you some breathing space to get back there, and at some point get your van home.

They have until December to get it back to the UK.

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[TheBig1]

It is a right pain but to be legal, you will need to bring the van back to the uk. Even if you MOT in Dover and and tax it then back on the next train or ferry

A few years back there were a couple of british run garages on the costas that were sister garages of MOT stations at home. They tried to circumvent the rules by inspecting the van in the costas and then send the details to the uk garage who sent the MOT out by post. Looked like a great idea but the authorities didn't like it, so it ended as quick as it started

 

[Flamenca]

It might be a daft idea but I was wondering whether it might be less expensive to register the vehicle in Portugal rather than do a round trip back to UK just for an MOT. Re-registering when it is eventually brought back to UK is relatively inexpensive.

 

[Lenny HB]

Their vehicle is still legal until December. They won't get an extension?!

They will need to take it back for its MOT and then have their 90 days in Schengen

I read it wrong thought it ran out last Decemmber

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[Dusty Pidgeon]

Thanks for all the MOT advice. Seems like we will have to fly out at sometime in the near future and bring the MH back to Blighty for its MOT. Such a shame as we shall be returning once again in Dec.

 

[Squirepete]

You need a Portuguese residence to have your UK reg vehicle MOT (IPO) We have done IPO for the past 12 years.

 

[Clipgate]

The Gentleman in Spain carrying out UK MOTs were discovered and delt with!!
Sounds as if the following link could be useful!!!

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[Clipgate]

PTA Garages in Folkestone are helpful

 

[klaatu]

You need a Portuguese residence to have your UK reg vehicle MOT (IPO) We have done IPO for the past 12 years.

Does that serve any legal purpose? I thought that to be a legal, a vehicle currently registered in country X had to have a current equivalent of the MOT from country X, as jumartoo said above?

Having been resident in Portugal for 12 years, is it legal to be driving a UK registered vehicle in Portugal?

 

[pappajohn]

Don't these countries have computerised records.
To have an MOT the vehicle registration details have to tally with the recorded details and the MOT will be entered on those details via the test stations computer.... As are all details of the test. .
How can a UK registered vehicle have its registration details on a foreign database....if it can't be found it can't be tested.

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[gus-lopez]

You need a Portuguese residence to have your UK reg vehicle MOT (IPO) We have done IPO for the past 12 years.

You can get a spanish ITV on any foreign vehicle on a daily basis if you want. Not worth the paper it is printed on. has to be legal in country of registration.

Having been resident in Portugal for 12 years, is it legal to be driving a UK registered vehicle in Portugal?

benefit of the doubt I took it to mean "residence" as in a property . If not then yes you are right.

 

[bobandjanie]

Don't these countries have computerised records.
To have an MOT the vehicle registration details have to tally with the recorded details and the MOT will be entered on those details via the test stations computer.... As are all details of the test. .
How can a UK registered vehicle have its registration details on a foreign database....if it can't be found it can't be tested.

They go round checking all vehicles here, they know what to look for, but like to catch you in it, just seeing it's not taxed mot or uninsured is not enough.

They also know more about websites like park 4 night than we do. Bob.

 

[pappajohn]

They go round checking all vehicles here, they know what to look for, but like to catch you in it.

Lost me completely there!!!
I'm not referring to driving it without an MOT, just saying if it's not on the foreign MOT database it can't legally be tested.
Yes, they can test it but not worth the paper it's on.

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[mikebeaches]

My wife and I had to leave our Motorhome parked up on a secure site near Lagos and fly home from Faro on the 24th March due the the site we were camped on closing up under Portuguese Gov directives.
The van MOT runs out on Dec 18th. I have spoken to UK DVLC and they have said I could obtain an MOT in Portugal but then another different MOT in Spain or France so the the van insurance is still valid. Has anyone had this same s experience under the current COVID situation ? I am reluctant to fly out say in Oct to drive the van back home and the drive back to Portugal again in Dec.

We had our van transported back from Alicante, after it was 'trapped' in March. Obviously cost a few Bob, but avoids the need to fly. And not outrageously expensive.

Let me know if you want more info.

 

[bobandjanie]

Lost me completely there!!!
I'm not referring to driving it without an MOT, just saying if it's not on the foreign MOT database it can't legally be tested.
Yes, they can test it but not worth the paper it's on.

I see what you mean John, and a UK vehicle would fail on lights for a start, and be a totally worthless piece of paper.
The culprits here bring a vehicle over, don't change owner details and think they have disappeared of the radar, that's why they need to catch them driving it.
It's far more difficult buying and selling cars in Spain, because any debts are down to you, and it has to be insured. Bob.

 

[Minxy]

It's far more difficult buying and selling cars in Spain, because any debts are down to you, and it has to be insured. Bob.

I sometimes watch the TV property progs where people are looking to buy places in Spain and sometimes a car is included ... it always makes me wonder what the seller is 'hiding'!

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[bobandjanie]

I sometimes watch the TV property progs where people are looking to buy places in Spain and sometimes a car is included ... it always makes me wonder what the seller is 'hiding'!

Yes it's not uncommon, as long as the paperwork is in order and the transfer is done properly no problem, here it's the vehicle that's insurance covers anyone most policies it's over 25, if you want to change insurance company, you have to give one months notice and move to another but it has to be insured, and road tax is paid by the person that's name is on the log book on the first January and is paid for the year, even though you might not pay it until June.
We let friends use our car when we are not here, we agreed any fines in that period they would pay. Bob.