Can I drive my car home after a failed MOT?

You can drive your vehicle straight home after it fails an MOT providing it's driveable and roadworthy, and the next journey will be for a repair or retest. The repairs required to restore your car to a legally roadworthy condition will be listed out for you.

Can I drive home after a failed MOT?

The answer here is yes, provided that in failing the test, no problems have been listed as 'dangerous'. If you continue to drive with dangerous faults - even if there is some time left on your old MOT certificate - then you could be facing a £2,500 fine and three points on your driving licence.

Can I take my car away from a failed MOT?

Driving a vehicle that's failed

You can take your vehicle away if: your current MOT is still valid. no 'dangerous' problems were listed in the MOT.

Can you drive a car home with no MOT?

Wondering whether you can drive a car without an MOT? The answer is that it is illegal to drive your car without an MOT unless you are driving to an MOT test centre or garage. However, even then your car must not have any serious, dangerous faults – these will be listed on your MOT test certificate.

Can you drive a failed MOT car to another garage?

If the car has any dangerous defects, you cannot drive the vehicle at all – even to another garage. If you want it repaired or given an MOT retest elsewhere, you will have to pay to get it towed. If you have a major defect, you can drive the car until the certificate expires.

MOT Faults Explained And What Happens If You Fail Your MOT

Is there a grace period for failed MOT?

Some motorists may be under the impression that there is a period of grace regarding renewing a lapsed MOT, but this is sadly not the case. The only exception to this is if you already have a booking for the vehicle to be tested and are driving it to the MOT test centre. An MOT must be renewed before it expires.

How do I get my car to a garage if the MOT has expired?

If your vehicle doesn't have a current MOT certificate, you can only drive it to or from a pre-arranged MOT appointment or to or from a pre-arranged repair appointment to have defects remedied that were discovered on a previous test.

Can police see if you have no MOT?

A 'refusal of MOT certificate' is recorded in the MOT database, which means that you can be caught by police, or ANPR camera. If caught, you can be fined up to £2,500, receive 3 penalty points and possibly a driving ban.

Does having no MOT invalidate insurance?

If you don't have a valid MOT certificate and it's a requirement of your policy, your insurance will be invalidated and you won't be able to make a claim. You'll have to pay for any repairs to your car out of your own pocket and you'll be responsible for any damage to other cars too.

How long can you drive a vehicle with no MOT?

There is no grace period once your car's MOT has expired. From midnight on the date of expiry onwards, it is illegal to drive your car for everyday use – and if you are caught doing so, you will receive an MOT fine.

What happens if you get caught driving with failed MOT?

Being caught driving without a valid MOT certificate could result in a police caution, but in some cases it can carry the penalty of massive fines of up to £2,500. Fines can also include points on your licence or a driving disqualification in more severe cases.

Do you get 14 days grace for an MOT?

A common misconception among many drivers is that there is a two-week grace period surrounding your MOT. A 14-day MOT grace period simply doesn't exist. Once your MOT runs out then you cannot drive your car, or even leave it parked up on the road.

Can I park my car outside my house without MOT?

Legally, you can park your car on the road without an MOT certificate for as long as you like. However, if your car is found to be unroadworthy and you're issued with a penalty notice, you'll need to get it repaired and obtain a valid MOT certificate before you can legally drive or park it on the road again.

Does failed MOT affect car insurance?

In most cases, driving a car that has failed an MOT will invalidate your insurance too. Again, driving without proper insurance attracts fines and penalty points. That leaves you with two options if your car fails its MOT. Either pay up to get it fixed or scrap it and buy a new car.

Do speed cameras check for MOT?

If your vehicle does not have an up-to-date MOT, then the ANPR camera will flag this, and you may be stopped by the police.

Can I drive my car while waiting for an MOT retest?

If your car has failed an MOT, it means there are things which need to be fixed and therefore you cannot drive. However, you will get ten days in which you can drive to have repairs done and get a retest to ensure your vehicle is safe. After those ten days are up, it becomes illegal to drive the vehicle.

Do cameras pick up cars with no MOT?

Yes, it is possible for ANPR cameras to determine whether or not vehicles have a valid MOT. This is because ANPR systems can be used to cross-check vehicle registrations with the relevant databases that track vehicles without valid MOT certificates or road tax.

Can I drive my car to garage without MOT and tax?

MOT rules and driving your vehicle:

If your MOT has expired, you can only drive it directly to a garage for an MOT retest or a repair. If you're stopped on the way by police, you must be able to prove that you have an appointment booked at a garage.

Can I drive if my MOT has expired but I have one booked?

Rules regarding MOTs and driving your vehicle: You are only allowed to drive your car when its MOT has expired IF you've booked in for the test and that's where you're driving to. If you're stopped on the way you MUST be able to prove that you have an appointment with an MOT centre.

What are the new MOT rules in 2023?

With the updated MOT test, some new items are checked including whether tyres are obviously underinflated, if the brake fluid has been contaminated, for fluid leaks posing an environmental risk, brake pad warning lights and if brake pads or discs are missing.

How long does it take to fix a failed MOT?

If your vehicle fails its MOT, you can leave it at the test centre for essential repairs. As long as the repairs are done within 10 working days of the test, your vehicle can then be retested for free.

What to do after a failed MOT?

If your car has failed its MOT, it will need to be re-tested for MOT certification. An MOT retest or partial MOT retest can be carried out within ten working days. This ensures you have enough time to make any required repairs prior to the retest for a pass.

Can a vehicle with no MOT be parked on the street?

It's not just a suggestion on how to keep safe too, if you are going to drive or park your car on any public roads then it is a legal requirement to have a valid MOT.

Will I lose a month if I tax my car on the last day of the month?

Yes. If you tax your car on the last day of the month, you've essentially lost a whole month of tax. If you want to wait until the start of the following month or change your tax date, you'll need to SORN your car for a month. But if you do this you'll need to make sure your car isn't parked on the road.

How do I report a car with no MOT parked on the road?

Contact your local police to report a car, van, motorcycle or other vehicle that does not have an MOT. You can only report a vehicle with no MOT to the police if it's being used on a road.