MOT Fail Query

GreenMint

GreenMint

GreenMint

Soldato
Joined
11 Dec 2003
Posts
21,632
Location
Sol
Just had this failure on the MX5, MOT expires December 3rd.

Am i ok to drive it until then (From what I have read it seems to, but also so unclear) or does it need repairing before it leaves?

Repair immediately (major defects):
  • Rear Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment HAND BRAKE HAS 15 CLICKS,7 CLICKS BEFORE IT STARTS TO OPERATES (1.1.6 (c))
 
I wonder if you get flagged on the ANPR system as having an MOT fail in the same way you would get flagged up for having no MOT? Plus your insurers might have a clause about driving with a failed MOT, so then you get done for driving without insurance too.
 
Fair do's, was a bit shocked when I called the garage in question and was just told "Yes, its fine to drive as its MOT'd until the 3rd December".

Have taken it elsewhere for repairs and a retest, thanks for the helpful replies.
 
Weird, i always thought the new fail would supersede the prior expiry date.

Seems i'm wrong and this sums it up well.

https://www.autonetinsurance.co.uk/...2012/03/09/failed-mot-can-i-drive-my-vehicle-

The answer is that you can still drive your vehicle if it fails the test and its existing MOT certificate is still valid (i.e. if your test was before the expiry date) as long as no 'dangerous' problem(s) were listed in the MOT.

If you drive with 'dangerous' problem(s) listed in your MOT you can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points.

However the fact that your vehicle has failed its MOT means there are faults with the vehicle, even if they haven't been classed as 'dangerous' and if you do get stopped by the police you could be prosecuted if your vehicle is not roadworthy

Though you still have a valid certificate you could be breaking the law by using a vehicle with a known fault on the road, it is highly recommended to get the repairs fixed as soon as possible and not to drive the vehicle in the meantime.
Click to expand...
 
If your car fails its MOT you can still drive it until the expiry unless it is a major/dangerous fail. A handbrake being out of adjustment isn't anything to be concerned about, nor is it something you will get done for if you get pulled over... :p

Steampunk said:
If you get stopped or in a accident, they can still decide your car was unroadworthy and give you a £2500 fine and three points.
Click to expand...
That won't happen because it isn't unroadworthy.
AiiR said:
Driving when you have knowledge of a major defect wouldn't go down well of you get pulled over.
Click to expand...
Good job it isn't a major defect then.
Steampunk said:
I wonder if you get flagged on the ANPR system as having an MOT fail in the same way you would get flagged up for having no MOT? Plus your insurers might have a clause about driving with a failed MOT, so then you get done for driving without insurance too.
Click to expand...
No you don't, and no they wont.
 
tom_e said:
The MOT system thinks otherwise as you can see from the OP it's listed under major defects.
Click to expand...
Seems stupid. Should have been listed as a minor fault and then passed. If the handbrake were inoperable then it should have been listed as a major fault.

"Major" is the first category which means a fail.
"Dangerous" is the one which means you cannot drive the car away.

I'd wager that if you took it elsewhere it would pass.

Where was it tested?
 
andicole0 said:
No you don't, current mot expires if major failure is reported.
Andi.
Click to expand...

Nope, only a 'dangerous' fault is considered an immediate risk to safety and the car cannot be driven. If the major fault makes the car unroadworthy then it should not be driven but it does not result in expiration of current MOT.
 
AiiR said:
Huh? It's literally written in the OP.. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
You know what I mean. No anal retentive police officer is going to count the number of clicks on your handbrake. Even if the handbrake doesn't work at all its not "unroadworthy" I don't think.
 
Last edited:
Acme said:
You know what I mean. No anal retentive police officer is going to count the number of clicks on your handbrake. Even if the handbrake doesn't work at all its not "unroadworthy" I don't think.
Click to expand...
Why would they, when they can just simply Google it, see it says 'FAIL' and base their decision on that?
 
ttaskmaster said:
Why would they, when they can just simply Google it, see it says 'FAIL' and base their decision on that?
Click to expand...

Even still I doubt any police officer would. Not even sure they could. It has a valid MOT and it isn't unroadworthy, so its outside their remit.
 
Acme said:
Even still I doubt any police officer would. Not even sure they could. It has a valid MOT and it isn't unroadworthy, so its outside their remit.
Click to expand...
Gimme your car reg, then... :p

If I can look up the MoT history, they certainly can... and while a currently-still-valid cert may show, a more recent fail assessment may be cause for closer inspection, particularly if they've pulled you for some other reason, late in the Friday shift and if they've nothing better to do, no-one to go home to, etc.....
 
ttaskmaster said:
Gimme your car reg, then... :p

If I can look up the MoT history, they certainly can... and while a currently-still-valid cert may show, a more recent fail assessment may be cause for closer inspection, particularly if they've pulled you for some other reason, late in the Friday shift and if they've nothing better to do, no-one to go home to, etc.....
Click to expand...
Funnily enough my Volvo failed for parking brake efficiency below requirements last year it seems. :p
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom