Considering driving your car without an MOT? Before you make a potentially costly, illegal, and dangerous mistake, it’s crucial that you do your research first.
Regardless of whether you want to learn more about the penalties of driving without an MOT or are eager to find out whether driving a car without an MOT is ever allowed in the UK, simply carry on reading.
Here at ART Garage Crewe, we’ve carried out countless MOTs, so you can rest assured that our expert team have extensive knowledge regarding the current MOT rules and regulations in the UK.
Below, we explain some of the various circumstances in which you can legally drive a car without an MOT as well as what happens if you’re caught driving a car without an MOT and how to avoid getting yourself in this predicament!
Can I drive my car if it fails MOT?
If your car fails its MOT due to having either ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ problems, two things will happen. First and foremost, you will be given a ‘refusal of MOT test certificate’ to highlight the various faults that must be rectified before the vehicle can be tested again.
Secondly, this MOT failure will also be recorded in the MOT database. If you believe that your vehicle should have passed the MOT, however, you can make an appeal.
When it comes to driving your car after failing its MOT, you may only do this is your current MOT certificate is still valid and there are no ‘dangerous’ issues listed in the refusal of MOT test certificate. If this isn’t the case, any issues will need to be repaired before you can legally drive the vehicle again.
If you are allowed to drive your car after it’s failed the MOT, it’s also important to bear in mind that the vehicle should meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness.
What happens if you get caught driving without an MOT?
Worried about the potential penalties of driving without an MOT? In the best-case scenario of getting caught driving without a valid MOT, you may only receive a police caution. However, you could also be faced with a significant unwanted fine of up to £2,500.
You may even be banned from driving completely and receive up to three penalty points on your licence if you’re caught driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT due to a ‘dangerous’ problem.
With MOT tests starting at just £29.65 (for a motorcycle with an engine size of up to 200cc), it makes sense to stay up to date with this test instead of being slammed with a hefty fine.
Not to mention, an additional (and often overlooked consequence) of being caught driving without a valid MOT certificate is the fact that this act can invalidate your insurance. Driving without valid insurance can then land you with a fixed penalty of £300 and up to a massive six penalty points on your driving licence.
How many points is no MOT?
As mentioned above, driving without an MOT can result in up to three penalty points. While this may not seem like a lot of points, if you manage to accumulate twelve penalty points in a three-year period, you could be banned from driving.
Typically, you will be banned from driving for this offence for six months, so it’s often not worth taking the risk of driving a car without an MOT.
Can you drive without an MOT to the garage?
Yes, driving without an MOT is also permitted if you’re on your way to a pre-booked MOT at a garage or dedicated MOT testing centre. If you’re stopped on your way to the garage for either an MOT retest or repair, you must be able to prove to the police that you have a pre-booked appointment.
However, in some cases, you may still receive a penalty from the police if the vehicle is in a dangerous condition. This is because all vehicles on the road must still meet the stringent roadworthy requirements.
How to avoid driving without an MOT
Ultimately, driving a car without an MOT certificate is often dangerous, illegal, and unsafe. As a result, you should try to avoid putting yourself in this situation as much as possible.
If you find that your MOT test certificate is often running out before you’ve had a chance to rebook, you should consider organising a free MOT reminder. To receive either a text message or email reminder one month before your car, van, or motorcycle MOT is due, simply sign up online.
To receive these timely reminders, all you’ll need is the vehicle’s number plate (registration number) as well as either a mobile phone number or email address.
Affordable and professional MOT services
If you’re keen to avoid the various penalties that can come with driving a car without an MOT in the UK, then it’s crucial that you keep your vehicle up to date with its MOTs and in good working order.
Fortunately, the professional team of engineers here at ART Garage Crewe can help with our affordable MOT services. Whether you want to schedule a Crewe-based MOT for your motorcycle or car, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our professional team today.
Based in the centre of Crewe, we’ve built a fully equipped MOT test centre that can cater to car owners both within the city and the surrounding area. Our team of qualified mechanics will ensure your vehicle is safe to be on the road and abides by all the necessary rules and regulations.
If you require further support with getting your vehicle back on the road, we can also help to identify issues with your vehicle using a selection of high-end diagnostic tools. Plus, for dealership-standard service, we only use genuine OEM parts to help repair your vehicle.
To learn more about our services or the implications of driving without an MOT, simply give us a call on 0127 021 4445. You can also get in touch using our handy online contact form. Once we have received your enquiry, we’ll reach out soon to find out more about your MOT requirements.
