MOT expires while we are away

[Shida mingi]

We're going to be in Europe for four months and our current MOT expires 2 weeks before we return. Any recommendations on what to do?

Many thanks!

 

[68c]

Do another MOT before you go. Do not leave it until the last minute as a failure will cancel the old valid MOT. Really is the simplest way out of your problem.

 

[tonka]

As above. You can MOT anytime.
If it's within 28days the time will be added on (if it passed). If it's sooner than 28 days your new MOT will start from test date..
Simples

 

[Shida mingi]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do the MOT early.

 

[nicholsong]

Alternatively, driving without an MOT is only an offence in UK.

I ignore opinions that vehicle is not legal in another country because it is not legal in country of registration. The counter-opinion is that there is no legal requirement for the vehicle to have an MOT, other than when driven on UK roads, so it is legal under UK law if not being driven on UK roads, so it is legal in its country of registration while not on UK roads.

On arrival in UK it is permitted to drive to a pre-booked MOT test, and to a place for any repair and retest.

Just go for it. By the time M. Flic has waited for you to get Google to translate my legal counter-opinion above he may have lost interest.

That is in the 1/20,000 chance you might have been stopped in 2 weeks.

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[Badknee]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do the MOT early.

Good idea.

 

[mikebeaches]

Alternatively, driving without an MOT is only an offence in UK.

I ignore opinions that vehicle is not legal in another country because it is not legal in country of registration. The counter-opinion is that there is no legal requirement for the vehicle to have an MOT, other than when driven on UK roads, so it is legal under UK law if not being driven on UK roads, so it is legal in its country of registration while not on UK roads.

On arrival in UK it is permitted to drive to a pre-booked MOT test, and to a place for any repair and retest.

Just go for it. By the time M. Flic has waited for you to get Google to translate my legal counter-opinion above he may have lost interest.

That is in the 1/20,000 chance you might have been stopped in 2 weeks.

I thought to drive a UK registered vehicle on the continent it was required to be road legal for the UK ie taxed, insured and MOT'd.

I'd certainly follow the advice to get the van a new MOT before departing on travels, if not wanting to curtail trip by two weeks earlier than originally planned.

A new MOT would have the advantage of providing a useful safety check, prior to a long overseas expedition in the van.

 

[DavidG58]

No brainer for me, just do it before you go

MOT £40 ish less than £4 / month , £8 isn’t going to get you far in diesel , site fees or wine

 

[RedFrame]

Alternatively, driving without an MOT is only an offence in UK.

I ignore opinions that vehicle is not legal in another country because it is not legal in country of registration. The counter-opinion is that there is no legal requirement for the vehicle to have an MOT, other than when driven on UK roads, so it is legal under UK law if not being driven on UK roads, so it is legal in its country of registration while not on UK roads.

On arrival in UK it is permitted to drive to a pre-booked MOT test, and to a place for any repair and retest.

Just go for it. By the time M. Flic has waited for you to get Google to translate my legal counter-opinion above he may have lost interest.

That is in the 1/20,000 chance you might have been stopped in 2 weeks.

No MOT no insurance...

 

[nicholsong]

No MOT no insurance...

Not unless specifically a term of the policy.

Otherwise that argument has not been tested AFAIK.

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[nicholsong]

I thought to drive a UK registered vehicle on the continent it was required to be road legal for the UK ie taxed, insured and MOT'd.

Mike, If you follow my reasoning in my post above the legal requirement for it to have an MOT is for when it is on a UK road, not even on a driveway, and the UK law does not say it has to have an MOT wherever it is in the world, which it could have said if Parliament wished.

My contention is that therefore a vehicle in France is within the UK law as there is no requirement for it to have an MOT outside UK jurisdiction.

Therefore the vehicle is legal under UK law and its country of registration.

 

[Reallyretired]

Mike, If you follow my reasoning in my post above the legal requirement for it to have an MOT is for when it is on a UK road, not even on a driveway, and the UK law does not say it has to have an MOT wherever it is in the world, which it could have said if Parliament wished.

My contention is that therefore a vehicle in France is within the UK law as there is no requirement for it to have an MOT outside UK jurisdiction.

Therefore the vehicle is legal under UK law and its country of registration.

I think the above, even if correct would not convince a French policeman even without a language barrier. I would pay the £40 just for peace of mind.

 

[The Coops]

Not unless specifically a term of the policy.

Otherwise that argument has not been tested AFAIK.

Only minimum third party cover provided no fully comp. its in the small print

 

[The Wino]

I'd definitely get an early not. It's going to cost peanuts compared to the trip unless there's a safety issue in which case it would be money well spent. I would also do it for peace of mind on the legal aspect. There has been some talk of recovery operaters checking service records when providing assistance I wouldn't be surprised if not having a valid mot was a way of getting out of providing assistance. I'd just do it anyway.

 

[Sapper520]

Mike, If you follow my reasoning in my post above the legal requirement for it to have an MOT is for when it is on a UK road, not even on a driveway, and the UK law does not say it has to have an MOT wherever it is in the world, which it could have said if Parliament wished.

My contention is that therefore a vehicle in France is within the UK law as there is no requirement for it to have an MOT outside UK jurisdiction.

Therefore the vehicle is legal under UK law and its country of registration.

Sorry, but you’re wrong.

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[Paul.L]

Having it MOD'd before you go abroad is the right thing to do.
If you don't, when you return to the UK the vehicle would not have an MOT - not legal on the road.
Do the right thing and have the MOT done, not only to keep you legal, but it may pay dividends should some fault be found while still here in the UK.

 

[Coolcats]

Alternatively, driving without an MOT is only an offence in UK.

I ignore opinions that vehicle is not legal in another country because it is not legal in country of registration. The counter-opinion is that there is no legal requirement for the vehicle to have an MOT, other than when driven on UK roads, so it is legal under UK law if not being driven on UK roads, so it is legal in its country of registration while not on UK roads.

On arrival in UK it is permitted to drive to a pre-booked MOT test, and to a place for any repair and retest.

Just go for it. By the time M. Flic has waited for you to get Google to translate my legal counter-opinion above he may have lost interest.

That is in the 1/20,000 chance you might have been stopped in 2 weeks.

I suspect if the MoHo was nicked or involved in an accident the insurance company would weasel out of paying.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I'd definitely get an early not. It's going to cost peanuts compared to the trip unless there's a safety issue in which case it would be money well spent. I would also do it for peace of mind on the legal aspect. There has been some talk of recovery operaters checking service records when providing assistance I wouldn't be surprised if not having a valid mot was a way of getting out of providing assistance. I'd just do it anyway.

I was once threatened with no help from the recovery driver, because the van didn't have a sticker for the gas on my blowlamp. Don't give them any excuse.

 

[mikebeaches]

Mike, If you follow my reasoning in my post above the legal requirement for it to have an MOT is for when it is on a UK road, not even on a driveway, and the UK law does not say it has to have an MOT wherever it is in the world, which it could have said if Parliament wished.

My contention is that therefore a vehicle in France is within the UK law as there is no requirement for it to have an MOT outside UK jurisdiction.

Therefore the vehicle is legal under UK law and its country of registration.

I really find it difficult to follow that line of argument.

More details here:

The Comprehensive Guide to Driving in France

The Comprehensive Guide to Driving in France, Car News

tinyurl.com

I find it surprising to think the French, for example, would find it acceptable for a UK-registered vehicle to drive on their roads without some sort of 'certificate of roadworthiness', when French and other European vehicles on their roads do require such safety-related certification (depending on age of the vehicle).

 

[Coolcats]

I was once threatened with no help from the recovery driver, because the van didn't have a sticker for the gas on my blowlamp. Don't give them any excuse.

Agreed and most if not all recovery policies are insurance based long gone are the days of a ‘Club’ that will attend a breakdown.

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[Podney]

Ignore advice to wing it,get it done before you go. Sleep well.

 

[nicholsong]

I find it surprising to think the French, for example, would find it acceptable for a UK-registered vehicle to drive on their roads without some sort of 'certificate of roadworthiness', when French and other European vehicles on their roads do require such safety-related certification (depending on age of the vehicle).

There are several European vehicles which do not have MOTs: IoM vehicles for one, and I think Jersey and Guernsey, because after the initial test to register a vehicle there is no requirement to have another.

The same is true of my own MH, because it has recently been registered in Poland as a veteran vehicle and again, after an initial mechanical check, there is no further test required.

I presume the French authorities accept this state of affairs.

 

[mikebeaches]

There are several European vehicles which do not have MOTs: IoM vehicles for one, and I think Jersey and Guernsey, because after the initial test to register a vehicle there is no requirement to have another.

The same is true of my own MH, because it has recently been registered in Poland as a veteran vehicle and again, after an initial mechanical check, there is no further test required.

I presume the French authorities accept this state of affairs.

Accept there are instances with veteran vehicles and IoM-registered ones etc that are possible exceptions, but I think it is clutching at straws somewhat...

In reality, the OP can have a much more relaxing and safer trip by getting an early MOT.

Why have the possible concern of needing to deal with the French authorities on such technical matters? And in the event of an incident where the vehicle's condition was in question, a new test certificate would go a long way to demonstrate the owner had taken all reasonable steps to ensure his MH was roadworthy before travelling.

 

[The Dotties]

How to lose sleep on the last two weeks of of your trip?
Its easy. Drive in a country full of foreign policeman looking for an easy victim and check their paperwork.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I once stayed in Belgium for months and the car tax and MOT ran out, I was not stopped at all and it was a long time ago it was probably illegal but I was young and didn't care. When I arrived back the car was definitely illegal as soon as I was off the ferry. Again no body cared and I had it MOT'd and taxed asap. That was before all the cameras they have now so for a couple of months I would have an extra MOT.

My dad, who was ultra careful, had his car mot'd twice a year, he said if it failed it gave him 6 months to repair or replace Not sure he was correct but he did have a certificate and in those days there was no way of checking.

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[Shida mingi]

No brainer for me, just do it before you go

MOT £40 ish less than £4 / month , £8 isn’t going to get you far in diesel , site fees or wine

ROFL!