MOT lapsed and haven’t taxed it, what am I supposed to do until then?

[-]

FrankNicklin@reddit

Tax is from the 1st day on the month in which you purchase VED not the day you purchase it. You can book an MOT and drive to it as long as you are insured. Once MOT'd get online and tax it before you drive it away.

[-]

nova75@reddit

The absolute 100% correct answer is to literally take it off the road and SORN it. That's the only answer. If it's on the road, even if you're not using it, you risk it being clamped.

[-]

t0b9@reddit

You should be aware that you can’t legally leave it parked on the road, if it’s parked on a public road.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

This is kind of mad. What are people supposed to do if they don't have a private driveway? You should at least be allowed to park in the proximity of your home address while you wait for repairs

[-]

Thomas5020@reddit

You can get free SMS reminders about upcoming MOT and TAX renewals.

There's no excuse for not getting it done in time.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

Garages have waiting times. Even when you book the MOT well in advance, if it fails you could have to wait weeks to get it repaired if you are unlucky. That's at least what happened to me. I get you can't drive it, but you should be able to park it.

[-]

notrainsaroundhere@reddit

Good thing MOTs have a window of something like 3-4 weeks before the expiry date in which you can get the MOT done and retain your current expiry date.

If the MOT turns up repairs that will take weeks to sort out then either that car has no business being anywhere near public roads or its just a really shit garage. Never have the repairs i've needed following an MOT not been done the same day, or at worst the following morning and re-tested.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

This is very dependent on location! I had to wait over 2 weeks for a repair and it wasn't even a catastrophic repair, just unlucky location on the car which made it a time-consuming repair. Could very much be true that the garage was dodgy (this was my own suspicion too), but I called other garages in the area and they were unable to fit me in sooner so I just had to go with them. Ended up 3 days parking my car in front of my house untaxed due to the ridiculous waiting times. I have needed car repairs outside of MOT previously and it's always a nightmare fitting those in cause garages here are always fully booked. Can take it to a garage too far away either for obvious reasons

[-]

Less-Contribution-35@reddit

Ha! Try living in Cornwall! I had to wait a week for repairs (fog light switch inoperable, needed an auto electrician). Rarer than hens teeth down here.

[-]

Thomas5020@reddit

Not sure what sort or crummy garages you're using mate...

But there's hundred of independents and chains near me and I've never once not been able to get an appointment and repair in a timely fashion.

[-]

enygma999@reddit

The repairs aren't the issue, it's the tax. What are you supposed to do? Be organised and responsible enough to own a car.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

You can't pay the tax on a failed mot unfortunately. So you have to get the car repaired first, pass the mot and then pay tax. If your tax due date is up before that, you are at risk even when your car is parked in the street in front of your house.

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New_Line4049@reddit

Untrue. Provided you tax it before the expiry date of the prior MOT youre good to go.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

That is good advice actually, this way you can prevent this scenario entirely. Will check if this works next year

[-]

New_Line4049@reddit

It does. Provided you dont get dangerous faults on the failed MOT its even still legal to keep driving it on the old one until it actually expires.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

Agreed, obviously don't drive if the MOT failed, but I don't want to have to worry about repair timeframes and where to park my car in the meantime. Garages here are always fully booked, getting a mandatory repair done is a nightmare

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

And deny the government a source of revenue from not giving them their source of revenue on time? Really?

[-]

Altruistic-Orchid157@reddit

You're supposed to get things done in time, like everyone else.

[-]

New_Line4049@reddit

Even parked off the road is not really legal unless its SORN'D

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

Didn’t realise this thread went up as I got the auto removal location. I worded that badly, I have 0 intention of driving it and no problems with cycling, especially in this weather.

But this is what has me worried. I don’t have access to a private driveway and my car is parked on a road… I can’t tax it until I get an MOT, but can’t get an MOT until next week which means my car would be on a public road illegally.

Prob going to have to eat a fine

[-]

tdic89@reddit

You can’t do anything, this is a lesson you’ll have to learn I’m afraid so you’ll need to find alternative transport for a week.

Do not drive untaxed with no MOT, as you’ll also be uninsured. There’s a special place in hell for people who do this.

[-]

Educational-Angle717@reddit

How is it a special place in hell for something that was genuinely overlooked? Can tell from OP's post they are not trying to pull a fast one or anything just a genuine mistake - can happen to anyone.

[-]

tdic89@reddit

You’ll notice I stated that this is the case if OP does it. Which they aren’t.

[-]

Educational-Angle717@reddit

Well that wasn't that clear in your post to be fair. It was like you were implying OP and anyone who unfortnualtey lets things lapse deserves punihsment.

[-]

RealLongwayround@reddit

It really was clear to anyone with a mediocre or better level of literacy.

[-]

Educational-Angle717@reddit

Who the hell are you getting involved? It’s a done deal. Small misunderstanding and done.

[-]

tdic89@reddit

I think most people read it as intended. Glad we cleared that up.

[-]

Winston_Carbuncle@reddit

I accidentally done this for about a month before. My office was directly across the street from the police station. No idea how I got away with it.

For clarity I had no idea and resolved it as soon as I became aware.

[-]

Bossman_Mike@reddit

I accidentally drove my old car without an MOT for a week, went to work and everything. It was taxed and had a valid MOT.

No idea how I got away with it, but as soon as I realised I immediately stopped driving.

[-]

Cunthbert@reddit

I drove my car for almost a year with no MOT lmao

[-]

TotalDisaster2939@reddit

I accidentally did the same thing for a month before realising. I thought I’d gotten away with it too until I had a fine come through the door a few weeks later. They must have clocked me on ANPR somewhere

[-]

Dugg@reddit

I went around 2 months and I go through several ANPRs a day. Nothing happened. Really stupid on my behalf, and I’ve sorted myself out so I don’t miss again, but it’s interesting to see how easy it is to get away with these things.

[-]

Remarkable_Might4245@reddit

Of topic slightly but just wanted to share a similar story i got a message from a dealership 8 months after stating they accidently gave me the wrong plate on my motorcycle and that i need to go get the right one from them i was genuinely suprised because i ride daily go past police all the time even got pulled over and not one of them said anything turns out the plate i had on belonged to a R1 my bike was a mt125 lol

[-]

bacon_cake@reddit

Lack of MOT used to be a non-endorsable offence. There were god knows how many non-roadworthy cars out there because it was cheaper to pay the £100 fine if they got caught than pay for any repairs picked up on an MOT.

I hit a deer once and told the operator I'd wait for the police to arrive because it was in the middle of a blind bend and lo and behold when the police arrived they fined me for no MOT - I hadn't realised it lapsed!

[-]

porkmarkets@reddit

If your car is in a bad state it’s 3 points per major (or dangerous?) fault though. So four bald tyres which would fail an MOT = 12 points

[-]

bacon_cake@reddit

I don't think that was the case back when MOT fines were non-endorsable though. Because at the same time I got a VDRS for a bald tyre and all I had to do was get a stamp from a garage.

That said - the garage were astounded I'd been nicked for low tyre tread and offered to leave the tyre on and back me up in court!

[-]

TheMysticalDadasoar@reddit

I stopped for a crash on the M62 and was giving someone first aid (nothing serious thank god) when the police showed up

They were giving the details to control for the vehicles and the vehicle that caused the crashes MOT had expired the day before, they were mortified

They had fucked the central reservation barrier, and 2 other cars as they span across all 3 lanes. That was going to be spendy without insurance

[-]

mizcello@reddit

I was caught no MOT or tax at 3am on my way home from work, he told me to drive home, park it and sort it, and that he would check 'the system' in 7 days and if it wasn't sorted or SORNd I would be getting a knock on my door??? lol think I got lucky, either way I sorted it. I think he just didn't want to do the paperwork at 3am.

Your situation is crap though, I think it depends on the officer or even if they're alone/with another officer. mine was alone so no one else would know and I was so close to home!

[-]

BeatificBanana@reddit

Last year my husband drove our car for 4 months with no tax! Totally by accident. The MOT, tax and insurance all run out in the same month, so he always sorts them all at the same time. Except somehow last year, he managed to book the MOT and renew the insurance and then totally forgot to do the tax. But he thought he had done it.

And as luck would have it, we had moved house recently and diligently updated our address with every single place we could think of, including the DVLA... But had forgotten to update our address on the vehicle log book. It was the ONE thing we forgot. So, they were obviously trying to send us letters to tell us our car wasn't taxed, but we were none the wiser.

The tax ran out in June and we didn't realise til October, when my husband got a text from a debt collection agency saying he owed a fine for not taxing the car. We actually thought it was a scam at first and were on the verge of deleting the message until I just thought I would check to be on the safe side, and lo and behold, no tax.

We had to pay a fine but got off very very lightly considering!!!

[-]

TehDragonGuy@reddit

99 times out of 100, you won't get caught. But if you get in an accident, not only are you fucked, but so is whoever else was in the collision.

[-]

Bossman_Mike@reddit

If your car is otherwise in good nick and you aren't driving and/or acting like a total twat, chances are the police will let you off with a stern warning. Your car will not be seized for no MOT unless there are visible signs of MOT failure (e.g. Ross Kemp tyres, bits falling off).

[-]

mward_shalamalam@reddit

Third party payouts would still be made by your insurance company. It also isn’t automatically void, either. In OP’s situation, it may be still be valid, but if the car was unroadworthy and that’s what lead to the accident, the insurance would very likely not payout. Driving without tax and MOT are both driving offences and would themselves result in fines (unless driving to a test centre)

[-]

Imstuckintheupsdedwn@reddit

A chavvy mum at the local school often drives vehicles with either no MOT or tax. Also parks in the school zigzags. Pisses me off.

[-]

Less-Contribution-35@reddit

I’d be reporting the hell out of that bitch.

[-]

iDrinkToiletWaterLOL@reddit

Lol u so sassy

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

I wasn’t clear, not driving it is a non-issue. I won’t drive it and haven’t driven it since my MOT lapsed on the 11th. It’s just that I can’t tax it because MOT, but also can’t SORN it because I have no access to a private driveway. My tax also lapsed from the start of the month

So I’m basically a sitting duck, I’ve probably had an automatic fine issued anyway

[-]

TellMeManyStories@reddit

OP can SORN it. OP should too to avoid an automatic fine.

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

I can’t do it as I have no access to private land/drive way at all.

Also looks like the penalty for violating SORN (SORNing it and still keeping it on the road) is worse than just leaving it untouched on a public road and swallowing the automatic fine.

[-]

FunPie4305@reddit

Also don't leave it parked on a public road as it's illegal without tax and can be towed away.

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I didn’t clarify. Not driving is not an issue at all, it’s keeping it on a public road without being able to tax it. I literally don’t have anywhere else to put it which is what has been concerned

[-]

alrightstrykah@reddit

Dante's 10th circle, the motoring offenders

[-]

zero_iq@reddit

It's actually the other 9 circles of hell arranged like Swindon's magic roundabout, which they are doomed to navigate for eternity.

Swindon's similarities to other circles of hell is just coincidence, I'm sure.

[-]

zero_iq@reddit

It's actually all of Dante's circles of hell, arranged like Swindon's Magic Roundabout, which they are doomed to navigate for eternity.

Swindon's similarities to other circles of hell is just coincidence.

[-]

Bigbigcheese@reddit

I believe it's known as the M25

[-]

Hugh_Jorgan2474@reddit

You think there is a special place in hell for someone who doesn't pay a private company for the pleasure of driving on a public road? Capitalism has really done a number on you

[-]

Lost-Actuary-2395@reddit

There’s a special place in hell for people who do this.

You mean Bradford?

[-]

glytxh@reddit

Got hit by an uninsured van driver a few years ago.

Took literal years to process.

But I now have the satisfaction that the nob owes SO much money now, for the sake of little dick break check energy.

The broken rib sucked. The payout didn’t. But it took so fucking long.

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Assuming your insurance is still in place, drive it to the PREBOOKED MOT. Not a meter further than you need to, dont stop to nip into the shop or anything.

You always pay for the full month when taxing.

I was an MOT tester for long time and this happens all the time. You can argue legalities of this all day but what I've said is generally what happens in the real world.

Sit tight until your mot booking and learn from this experience.

[-]

BeatificBanana@reddit

Hypothetically, what's someone supposed to do in this situation if they don't have off-road parking? (I have a driveway, I'm just curious)

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Get clamped and/or fined if an idle enforcement officer comes by. Which is highly unlikely unless youre in a busy, build up area.

More likely to be an idle police traffic officer that takes an interest though as its an offence to park an untaxed/no mot vehicle 'on the public highway', the only exception being previously mentioned. Police have the power to seize the vehicle.

[-]

BeatificBanana@reddit

So what's the right thing to do in that situation then?

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Have it uplifted and stored on private ground until it can be presented at a test staion. Personally, I would not and take my chances but I'm a gambling man.

The right thing to do is get your MOT done on time. You have 30 days before its due to submit the vehicle for test.

[-]

BeatificBanana@reddit

Yeah, I was obviously asking what to do if you hadn't got your MOT done on time. You can't go back in time.

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

I have 0 intention or need to drive it until I got my MOT Wednesday next week, I explained myself poorly in the OP but it’s solely the last line that got me concerned.

My car is currently parked on a public road (I don’t have access to a private driveway) and I was under the impression my tax lapsed yesterday as I bought my car 19/05/25 and taxed it the same day or the day after when it got delivered. I was clearly wrong.

I tried calling DVLA to ask wtf I’m supposed to do now, but couldn’t get through between my work hours.

I live in a controlled parking zone, and I’m assuming they check for MOT, tax, as well as parking permits. Latter is obviously not a problem but the way I’m understanding it is that I’m basically fucked

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Do not call DVLA and draw attention to it, youre pretty much sticking yourself in.

A parking warden isnt the same as an enforcement officer and I doubt theyre checking tax/mot but the local council do have some responsibility over untaxed vehicles and i can't say that for sure.

Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be sweating over it man. Just get the mot done and don't forget next time. You can get your mot done 30 days before its actually due.

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

Fair, thanks. I’ve mentally already accepted the fine and no point worrying about it. If I don’t get it, then happy days.

And yes mate, thanks. I will keep that in mind. First time getting an MOT so I thought I’d get as close to the date as possible then got a little busy and sick back-to-back. Probably should have known, but I didn’t realise you can carry your remaining days forward.

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

It doesn't work like that, if you are within 30 days of its due date, it can be issued a new mot certificate while preserving the current expiry date. Your not losing anything.

I'd honestly be so surprised if anything actually comes of this.

Also worth noting- if it fails MOT, you are not bound to the test station to have the repairs done by them. As long as there are no defects on the fail sheet classed as dangerous (dangerous defects would require a recovery vehicle to stay within the law), you can legally drive it to where the repairs will be carried out. Again directly there and prearranged. Gives you the possibility of shopping around or carrying out your own repairs, although it will need to go back to the original test station for partial retest.

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

I didn't full read your reply, sorry. I'm tired

[-]

TellMeManyStories@reddit

Notable, there is no requirement for the prebooked MOT to be nearby. You can live in London and drive (direct) to a prebooked MOT in scotland if you like.

Can be a handy thing to do right after you have bought car - drive direct to the MOT station near your house, even if you bought it far away.

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Yeah I meant dont go off route. If youre driving from London to Scotland dont get stopped in Cornwall.

[-]

ac0rn5@reddit

Happened to me with a service I booked last year, one that I usually get the MOT as well. The business was extra-busy because franchises had merged, so I wasn't able to get the date I'd hoped for. In all the messing about I completely forgot about the MOT until it was overdue.

I managed to get it booked in somewhere else for the MOT, and was reminded that I could only drive the car to the MOT testing station because insurance wouldn't be valid for any other journey.

learn from this experience

Book things well in advance rather than just a few days! 😄

[-]

2point4children@reddit

You'll be fine. Mine has gone over a month and I have driven unknown.

[-]

TopBookChat1105@reddit

You don’t do anything other than use a different car.

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shiveryslinky@reddit

Get the bus?

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I_will_never_reply@reddit

In my experience, you get at least a months grace with no tax before automatic cameras or clamping vans start to kick in. I've been a couple weeks without it a couple of times when the DVLA clamp van has been around and never had mine touched

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

I genuinely hope you’re right. I’ve got no problem not using the car and haven’t touched it since my MOT lapsed. Not too worried about cameras. It’s just annoying I can’t tax it while I’m waiting for my MOT.

I hope you’re right, but it looks like there’s a good chance I’ll get an automatic fine too.

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I_will_never_reply@reddit

You'll be fine

[-]

southcoast_sir@reddit

Drove to work for two weeks whilst contracted to a police force with no tax… not picked up once! I must have gone through ANPR about 20 times, gate cameras, building cameras, and of course hundreds of police officers… not a single word said!

[-]

Mossy110423@reddit

I called the DVLA when this happened to me and they were very understanding. I told them my appointment date and time, they made a note. Told me to keep it off road until my appointment, and then only use it to drive to the MOT.

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

That’s the problem I’ve got. I wasn’t clear in the OP, but my predicament isn’t needing a car. I haven’t touched it since the MOT lapsed on it, but I can’t SORN it for a week until my MOT because I don’t have a private driveway or anywhere but a public road to store it.

[-]

Frosty_Leg4438@reddit

I did this once due to sheer poor planning (and also not realising you couldn’t renew tax until you had an mot)

Bad news is you‘ll likely be automatically fined for this as the system will know you have a car that isn’t taxed or sorn (I was)but it’s not an insane fine.

You have 2 choices, either to wait until you can get an mot and then immediately tax, or sorn in the meantime (what you’re supposed to do to show you’re not driving it)

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

I would SORN it but I don’t have access to a private driveway

[-]

TehDragonGuy@reddit

There's a government service for getting text or email reminders for your MOT; sign up to it so this doesn't happen again:

https://www.gov.uk/get-stop-view-mot-reminder

[-]

huisjenodig@reddit (OP)

Thank you

[-]

SecretlyModded@reddit

Wdym what are you supposed to do...?

Get the bus i would imagine?

If your car cannot legally be driven, then I would advise against driving the car

And get a mechanic to come and pick it up with trade plates to take it to the MOT. Once its passed, you can tax and drive it.

[-]

jimicus@reddit

SORN it.

[-]

Booboodelafalaise@reddit

Getting your MOT sorted sooner seems to be the easiest answer. Just get on the phone and keep calling round until you get someone who says they can do it today.

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ajm15@reddit

So if you get someone that will do MOT tomorrow, can you drive the car to get it done?

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r_hcaz@reddit

You can drive a car to a MOT appointment yes

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yes1402@reddit

Untaxed?

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Visa5e@reddit

SORN it, then get it MOT'd then tax it.

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Most_Ad_2570@reddit

Please listen to this person, I didnt SORN my car in the same circumstances as you OP and lost the entire scrap value of the car from fines when the car failed badly

[-]

TellMeManyStories@reddit

yes.

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Bossman_Mike@reddit

I think it's a month in advance to maintain the existing expiry date? So effectively you get 13 months.

[-]

mcrrob@reddit

You have 2 options, ring round all the garages in your area in the morning and try get a sane day mot slot, then get it taxed after mot. Or Sorn it until you can get it mot'd.

You can drive the vehicle to a pre booked mot appointment, as long as it is not in a dangerous condition.

[-]

GetCapeFly@reddit

The question is, have you now added your tax and MOT as reoccurring reminder in your calendar for next year?

[-]

External-Piccolo-626@reddit

A good tip for anyone reading this is have the tax renewal date a month or two before the MoT is due.

[-]

D0wnb0at@reddit

My MOT lapsed by 3 months. I was driving 40miles each way to work and back 5 days a week + recreational.

Also once didn’t have insurance for 3 months before I got a reminder from the DVLA. (Auto renew didn’t go thru)

Both times I had zero idea I was driving illegally. I wasn’t hiding, doing tons of miles, must have drove by multiple police, speed cameras etc. was doing 60 miles a day driving thru M62 gantry cameras.

Maybe I was just super lucky not to be pulled over.

[-]

PaulaDeen21@reddit

SORN it, MOT it, Tax it.

Simple.

[-]

sammy_zammy@reddit

Bop it!

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belladonnapopsocks@reddit

Book a mot elsewhere sooner?

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Affectionate-Law9142@reddit

Don’t drive, it’s as simple as that.

[-]

stowgood@reddit

Get the bus..

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opopkl@reddit

You're allowed to drive a SORN vehicle to a pre-arranged MOT testing venue, but you must have insurance.

https://www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/personal/motor/car-insurance/guides/can-you-drive-a-sorn-car-to-an-mot-without-insurance/

[-]

ObiWrenkebobi@reddit

I’m sorry, but you’ve come to Reddit for this.. Got a bike or something? Just got to wait init

[-]

Sergeant_Fred_Colon@reddit

You are allowed to drive to the MOT center without taxing the car.

Just don't keep the car on the road until its moted and taxed.

[-]

Educational-Angle717@reddit

This happened to me a few years ago and was a genuine oversight. Though for me I was insured as renewed that two months prior and was also taxed as did that way before the renewal was up.

Main thing as others have said is you cannot drive it at all it must remain where it is. Also that you're only legal route now is to drive it to the MOT test centre on the day of the pre-booked test and no where else.

[-]

spannerintworks@reddit

Wtf am I supposed to do until then?

You can do anything you like within the confines of the law. The one thing you definitely shouldn't do is drive your car because it's not insured, not taxed, not MOTd.

Find an alternative.

[-]

tryskating404@reddit

Time to become friends with your local cabbie

[-]

Decent_Confidence_36@reddit

Proper advice is you need to find alternative transport until taxed… I’ve done this though and just risked it for a week was fine.. disclaimer though don’t risk it for a week

[-]

Hot-Clerk504@reddit

I nearly scrapped my old neighbour for taking pictures of my untaxed car. Other neighbour told me he was doing it went round and told him to give his Mrs the seeing to instead of playing police. Was just before Christmas too the jobsworth bellend 🤣 didn’t have a private drive it’s like wtf do you want me to actually do

[-]

Illustrious-Air-7777@reddit

Mine ran out on 11th too. I realised on Monday when I tried to tax it so I rang round until I found somewhere that could do the MOT on Tuesday. Drove car to MOT place, it passed, I’ve now taxed it. Why not see if you can get a test sooner?

[-]

Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

If it is off-road ie on a driveway, you are likely fine, Just don't use it and drive straight to test centre on day of appointment. You may be able to get specialist cover to cover it for that day. Booking a tow truck if you really can't risk issue with law.

If on-road ie parked on public road or carpark, phone round friends/family and beg for somewhere to put it off road until test day,

[-]

Ok-Lack4735@reddit

SORN the car and take it off the road until its MOT. A driveway/carpark, not the public road.

[-]

InternationalFig4340@reddit

This is also how I ended up driving for a full 12 months with no MOT! 🙂🫠

[-]

Spank86@reddit

SORN it immediately and make sure its not on a public road.

Then MOT and tax it as soon as possible before using it

[-]

GreekVicar@reddit

Look for a "walk in" type MOT station

I think you can legally drive to an MOT station/garage without an MOT if the only reason you're driving is to get the vehicle tested

However, I don't know how valid this is if you're trapped by no insurance /no tax

You may be able to get around the insurance problem by finding someone with cover that allows them to drive your car - but that still leaves the tax issue (which may invalidate their insurance)

Final suggestion is to get someone to collect it with a transporter to take it to the MOT station - assuming it passes you can then arrange the insurance followed by the tax

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Can only drive to a pre booked MOT.

Can't tax until MOTd. In reality, you would drive it to the directly to the MOT station on the day of the booking, don't even stop for a pack of smokes.

Insurance isnt automatically void, it would only be if the vehicle isnt roadworthy which directly contributed to causing an accident. What about MOT exempt vehicles? They still need to be insured and roadworthy

[-]

GreekVicar@reddit

They don't have any insurance - that's part of the problem

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Spanner1993@reddit

Where does it say they dont have insurance?

[-]

GreekVicar@reddit

They don't, I misread it

[-]

Spanner1993@reddit

Read it again. OP doesn't mention their insurance.

They do say the haven't used it since MOT lapsed which implies they were using it before and were surely insured to do so. If the policy is still in place, its not automatically void because of MOT/tax

[-]

GreekVicar@reddit

Correct, they don't say that. I misread it

[-]

WitShortage@reddit

You can drive an untaxed/un-MOT'd car to an MOT station, provided you have an MOT appointment at that station. This may not apply at a "walk in" station. Also, the route you're taking needs to be the shortest reasonable route from where the car is kept to the MOT station.

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Rosetti@reddit

There are a lot of garages that will do MOTs as walk-ins (or drive-ins I suppose lol). You often have to wait a while (easily over an hour depending on the garage), but you can also just rock up right when they open, and you'll be first in line.

Just find one, take the car there and get it done so you can tax the car.

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Praetorian_1975@reddit

Bus, Train, Taxi are all alternative options, you may even benefit from using a combination of them.

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Haunting_Hour_4556@reddit

What can you do? You can set up a reminder in your calendar 6 weeks ahead of time for 2027.

In the meantime, find other methods of transport.

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spartacle@reddit

I get emails from every garage Ive take every car I've had, so I get a mini heart attach about 1-2 month :)

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I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit

Have you looked at Kwik-Fit or Halfords for the MOT? You can search for slots online and because of the large number of branches they have loads of slots available even if that means driving a little further. A similar thing happened to me and I was able to get it into a Kwik-Fit that same day.

I know everyone here hates leaving their car with those companies, but for an MOT in a hurry and nothing more you can't really go wrong.

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Born-Wasabi8016@reddit

Depends where you live mate.

I live in a rural location and have my daily "work car" and an old shitbox "pub car" which hasnt been taxed MOT'd or insured for about 6 years.

Wouldn't drive it into town though.

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ouzo84@reddit

Look around for an earlier mot.

You may have to drive further afield to get an earlier mot.

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TJTheGamer1@reddit

Well it currently doesn't have an MOT, its not Taxed and therefore the insurance won't be valid either. You either need to find someone to MOT it sooner or find different transport; you certainly can't drive it.

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Alive_Forever_9541@reddit

Find somewhere else who can MOT earlier, and who can pick your car off. Once MOT is done, you can tax it online.

Don't wait a week, especially if it's parked on the road.

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gash_dits_wafu@reddit

https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification

Sorn it now, then ring around every garage near you to find a slot you can get it in for it's mot. Get the MOT, and once done, get it taxed straight away. That will automatically remove the sorn.

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yourefunny@reddit

Didn't realise mine had lapsed last year. Got caught by a camera. Fined £100.00 I think. Did make an excuse that I had an MOT booked. Either risk it or travel for other means till next week.

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mattcannon2@reddit

Ring around if anywhere has an MOT slot before Wednesday

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HankHippopopolous@reddit

Yeah they changed the tax rules a couple of years ago so that it starts at the beginning of the month regardless of when you start it.

Also if you cancel the Tax to sell the car on say the 15th of a month they still charge for the full month of tax and only refund full future months. They will then charge the new owner that same month again in full so the car is essentially taxed twice for that month.

It’s a scam so the government can double dip on tax.

Ultimately in your scenario there is nothing you can do. Your only options are to make other travel arrangements until you can get the MOT done or take the risk and drive it anyway. I don’t recommend option 2.

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72dk72@reddit

SORN it and move it onto private land (eg a driveway)

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72dk72@reddit

Also find another MOT station / Garage that may have space or will let you leave it there and they will do it as soon as they get a gap (eg cancellation or no show), though thats not strictly following the law as you should only drive it to a booked appointment,

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