33 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

There should be absolutely no need to drive any further than your nearest VTS, as they 'should' all be testing any vehicle to the same testing standard. I wouldn't want mine tested for an easy pass. I'd want it to be right!

 

I agree Matt, but I'd also want the tester to know not to jack my car up on the floor pans!

[The Matt]

MOT testers 'used' to be trained in jacking techniques. I certainly was back in my day. There is probably more focus on IT training for computerisation issues now!

[Cooperman]

I certainly wouldn't want to take a classic car to a non-classic aware place. You hear all sorts of silliness happening.

Yes, there is most definitely no limit on distance and that is probably because if you took it to a local garage near where you had bought it and it failed, you would still need to drive it to somewhere near your home (or to your own home workshop) to fix it, and then have to pay for another full test as the testing station might be too far away.

I don't think we are talking 'easy pass', rather a test carried out by a technician who understands cars which were designed 55 years ago.

[cambiker71]

MOT testers 'used' to be trained in jacking techniques. I certainly was back in my day. There is probably more focus on IT training for computerisation issues now!

They still are, can't account for individual stupidity though

[cambiker71]

I certainly wouldn't want to take a classic car to a non-classic aware place. You hear all sorts of silliness happening.

 

Yup, plenty of it too

 

I don't think we are talking 'easy pass', rather a test carried out by a technician who understands cars which were designed 55 years ago.

 

Spot on :)

[cambiker71]

It doesn't define what a place of repair is, AFAIK it can be your own home and if you will repair it yourself then prior arrangement is simple. Or you could call a mobile mechanic to meet you at home.

It now actually says on direct gov...

• a pre-arranged appointment at a garage to have the repairs done

 my pic earlier was the old wording from ten years ago!!

[The Matt]

I don't disagree with wanting to take it to someone who's aware of what they're doing with old cars. But I think there's a limit of what is considered as being reasonable distance (personal opinion only).

I have no Mini/Classic specialist garages around here that do MOTs. Not within probably 50 miles. I wouldn't dream of driving far enough to get to one with no MOT on my car.

[cambiker71]

I don't disagree with wanting to take it to someone who's aware of what they're doing with old cars. But I think there's a limit of what is considered as being reasonable distance (personal opinion only).

I have no Mini/Classic specialist garages around here that do MOTs. Not within probably 50 miles. I wouldn't dream of driving far enough to get to one with no MOT on my car.

Find one with a classic friendly tester then, my workplace is a mainstream garage but we are classic friendly because we know classic cars (not just minis) and how they should be, we work with modern cars too obviously :) 

 Google local MOT stations that are known for good service around classic cars or ask other classic car owners, most of us will stop for a quick chat if approached anyway!

[Cooperman]

With regard to distance, I'm sure the reason is that most people want to take their car to an MoT place near where they live. In my son's case, he was coming in from Germany in his Audi on which the MoT had expired a few months earlier as had the tax, he wanted to get it tested near my home, where the car is registered, so he booked it in and got email confirmation from the MoT place I always use before getting to England. Suppose it had failed at an MoT place in Dover, he would have had to drive it to my home, got it fixed, then paid for a full re-test more locally or driven right back to a pre-booked re-test in Dover. So that regulation does have some sense about it.

[Ethel]

Let's not forget that an MoT is just an administrative process to prove your car is roadworthy. The real offence is driving a car in an unroadworthy condition. You're still innocent until proven.... so it shouldn't matter how far you drive it to the test, even if it passes it won't exempt you from prosecution if it becomes unroadworthy on the way home.

[Carlschalch]

Halfords is definately a No No as they will not have the correct lifting gear to inspect and are likely to damage the floor pan using their cross membered lifting gear (not sure of the official name).

Local independants are great. My guy loved having the opportunity to get stuck in on mine and was more interested in chatting than doing the test.

[Tubby1987]

I was always under the impression that you cannot whatsoever drive a vehicle with no tax on a public road, and that it would have to be put on a trailer, even to and from an m.o.t. And driving to and from an m.o.t with no m.o.t you can drive back home or to a garage for repair. Only reason i say this is because last august i bought an old corsa to nip about in (so i didn't have to cancel my insurance and lose my no claims) and i drove it about 10 miles home with no tax, but i did insure it there and then. I passed traffic police too! When i got the car home i checked on the dvla site, and it said driving without tax is illegal no matter what, even driving to and from booked m.o.t's! 

Not saying this is true but after panicking about how i could have been pulled and fined, i was told that in most cases the police aren't too arsed about tax as it's not really a police matter, it's more in the way of the dvla to sort out. Though the police can do you for failing to display!

Also to clear up another post on here, if you tax your car up to a day before it expires, you can legally use your car without displaying a tax disc for 5 days after expiry :) 

[Seba5tian]

 

It doesn't define what a place of repair is, AFAIK it can be your own home and if you will repair it yourself then prior arrangement is simple. Or you could call a mobile mechanic to meet you at home.

It now actually says on direct gov...

• a pre-arranged appointment at a garage to have the repairs done

 my pic earlier was the old wording from ten years ago!!

 

 

How do I provide proof of an appointment for me repairing my mini in my "garage" at my home if the Mini fails it's MOT and I need to drive it back ?

 

Officer: "Got any proof of a repair appointment?"
Me: "I am proof "

Edited by Seba5tian, 24 January 2014 - 11:57 PM.

[Dan]

It's 14 days grace for displaying a disc now, but as above only if purchased before the old one expired. If the tax expired then you can't drive it (other than to a booked MOT etc.) until there is a disc in it.

[jonnyenglish]

Hi Guys,

 

thanks for all your help! the MOT is booked for this thursday AM!! fingers crossed!!

 

so gonna fail miserably!!!!!!

 

Thanks again,

 

Jonny