Max distance to drive to MOT?

[RobMorris]

Chaps

I'm considering buying a car with no current MOT / tax.
If I get a days insurance I believe I can drive the car to a pre booked MOT?
Is there a max distance you are allowed to travel?

Cheers

[stevel1]

Its a grey area ,But locally is safe ,You cannot expect to book a car in for an mot 50 miles away

[optima21]

think I read that day insurance companies were clamping down on this loophole...... someone else will say if this is the case or not though

[composimmonite]

There is no legal definition as to what is regarded as a reasonable distance for traveling to a pre booked MOT. Ensure, however, that the vehicle is in good order (tyres, lights, brakes, etc ) as you can still be done for driving something in unsafe condition even to a pre arranged MOT as it's not a "get out of jail free card". be prepared to have a big load of automatic fines come thought the post as you will trigger every ANPR camera on the way !
What sort of car - anything interesting ?

Paul h

[Copey]

Jan 10, 2013 20:14:05 GMT optima21 said:

think I read that day insurance companies were clamping down on this loophole...... someone else will say if this is the case or not though

ain't it nice when people make it even harder to do things the legal way!!

and as above, there is no specific max distance, just as long as youre not takin the micky you will be fine

[charlie]

Day insurance isn't really available. Add the car to your insurance for the day and you'll get the cover note to show the police if you need to. Book an MOT at two MOT centres - and drive back and forth between the two all day. If you get pulled then you're on your way to an MOT. Don't crash though because if you crash a car without an MOT the insurance wont pay out!

Happy days.

Charlie

[stealthstylz]

I drove from Leeds to Bristol in a car with no tax & MOT to a booked in MOT, using my "drive any insured car" clause. Nobody batted an eyelid and I drove past a few traffic cars.

[RobMorris]

The car is ready for an MOT so its not a basket case that I'm taking the mickey with..
It will be though about 70 miles 90% motorway..

[keithyboy]

Jan 10, 2013 21:48:38 GMT charlie said:

Day insurance isn't really available. Add the car to your insurance for the day and you'll get the cover note to show the police if you need to. Book an MOT at two MOT centres - and drive back and forth between the two all day. If you get pulled then you're on your way to an MOT. Don't crash though because if you crash a car without an MOT the insurance wont pay out!

Happy days.

Charlie

Do I can't take my insured car on the road for an MoT at all then?

You don't need a valid MoT to take your car for a pre-booked test. It is, therefore, hard to see how they could refuse a claim for a car being used in accordance with the law in normal circumstances. It is something to bear in mind though because they might look closely at it if you crash in Newquay and your MoT is booked in Glasgow.

[keithyboy]

Jan 10, 2013 21:49:13 GMT stealthstylz said:

I drove from Leeds to Bristol in a car with no tax & MOT to a booked in MOT, using my "drive any insured car" clause. Nobody batted an eyelid and I drove past a few traffic cars.

You may have got away with it but I don't think it's to be recommended. The law requires cars to have 3rd party insurance at all times when on the road so if you stop for a wee or to get some cash or whatever, that car ceases to be insured when you get out of it. A bump would open up a world of pain.

My "Driving other cars" provision requires the car to be insured under another policy (and to not be owned by me or my wife).

[crazymonkey]

See I read if you have an accident and the car isnt MOTd then some companies wont pay out unless you're on the way to an MOT but most will pay out but only to the value of a similar car with no MOT (so basically less payout).

[orioncrazycarl]

there is no limit, fast ford recently drove from Scotland to london on the rule, its your choice where you take a car for a MOT, not theirs. You can be done if its deemed un roadworthy, like tyres, rust ect!

[ChasR]

As above for now it is a grey area. Just make sure that you go straight to the MOT if you do decide to bring the car back.

Alternatively you can try www.shiply.com where some of their prices are surprisingly competitive (by the time you factor in dragging a friend out, or catching a train at short notice, fuel etc.).

[RobMorris]

Cheers for the advice all
Cheers ChasR - il give shiply a shot.

[AB car pix]

I did Essex to Glasgow in this XR2 three years ago ;D
Insured it, and booked it in for an MOT..... didn't have tax either but I made it back fine without a pull!

[cecotto479]

Jan 10, 2013 21:48:38 GMT charlie said:

?....... Don't crash though because if you crash a car without an MOT the insurance wont pay out!

Nonsense. An MoT is NOT a requirement of a standard policy. The car must be in roadworthy condition. It can have an MoT and not be roadworthy. It can have no MoT and be roadworthy.

[surprisingskoda]

Also, there is no grey area. A few years ago when NI test station examiners were on strike, the official response was to send everyone needing an MOT to Scotland - and to issue exemption certificates, so you could drive around for up to three or six months (it was a long strike) with no MOT (roadworthy rule though).

If the Govt says, drive your non-MOTd car to Scotland, then I don't think any example not using a 3hour ferry crossing is going to be an issue.

[sumpcracker]

I got a tug doing this on a 100 mile trip home, few questions, and I was sent on my way, they were not happy and checked the car over but knew there was nothing they could do after seeing the cae was safe and ringing the MOT station (which was also my employer, what a coincidence?) They did mention ringing vosa, I think if they had come out and found a fail it would have been a different story.

[stevel1]

There is a grey area ! depending on what nice cuntstable pulls you.

[tickman]

Jan 11, 2013 2:57:14 GMT sumpcracker said:

I got a tug doing this on a 100 mile trip home, few questions, and I was sent on my way, they were not happy and checked the car over but knew there was nothing they could do after seeing the cae was safe and ringing the MOT station (which was also my employer, what a coincidence?) They did mention ringing vosa, I think if they had come out and found a fail it would have been a different story.

There is your answer, a real story from someone not a 'I knew someone who' story.
A few years ago my old company car was driven to Bristol from Edinburgh by a collection company on a 'Booked MOT' once they got to Bristol it went straight to the car auctions not the garage! Obviously it was just over 3 years old so looked ok.

John