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.
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.
Can you drive a car with no MOT to a place of repair?
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.
The law makes no mention as to how far you can go for an MOT but we would suggest the distance is kept as short as possible because even though you are exempt from having a valid MOT certificate in the circumstances described above, if you are stopped by the police you could still be prosecuted for any defective parts ...
MOT Faults Explained And What Happens If You Fail Your MOT
What happens if my MOT runs out while abroad?
If you happen to be abroad when your TAX and MOT expire, you can`t tax your vehicle until you have an mot, and you can`t get an mot until you are back in the uk.
According to government guidelines, you can't park your vehicle on the road if its MOT has expired. That means you must park your car on your private property, such as your driveway or in your garage, or pay for it to be parked and safely stored until it can have its MOT and any servicing thereafter.
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.
Anyone with your number plate can run an MOT check - and this could lead to prosecution if you do not have a valid MOT. Systems on board police cars and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras can flag cars without a valid MOT certificate.
If you fail your MOT, you need to get the defects listed on the VT30 'Refusal of MOT' certificate repaired. You must then arrange another MOT test and pass it. You will only be able to drive the vehicle in three circumstances: If you are going to a garage for repairs.
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.
MOT failure list. The three most common reasons for MOT failures are faults with lights, suspension and brakes. We've got a full article all about the most common MOT fails and how to avoid them too. Below is a list of the categories used on many checks and the associated percentage of failures attributed to them.
Can I drive my car if the MOT has run out 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can I drive my car while waiting for an MOT retest?
It's illegal to drive without a valid MOT. If your car has failed, and the date on your certificate has passed, you can only drive your car to be repaired or to a pre-arranged MOT appointment, and only if it is roadworthy.
Can I drive my car after the MOT has passed and is booked into a garage?
If your MOT has expired then you need to get the car booked in for a fresh test and not drive it until the test has been completed. Remember that you are allowed to drive the car to a pre-booked test appointment.
While the tyre pressure is not a specific part of the MOT test, the examiner may check your tyres to ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. This is because improperly inflated or worn tyres can impact the safety and performance of your vehicle.
A motoring expert has revealed the most common reasons why a vehicle might fail its annual MOT test. In 2022, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) revealed that 29 percent of vehicles tested failed their MOT.
What happens if you have your MOT early and it fails?
If my car fails its MOT, can I drive it? If you take the test early and your car fails its MOT, you can continue to drive it until the certificate expires. But it's important to acknowledge that you should be safe by your own choice and take proper steps if you learn your car has problems.
You'll only need a partial retest if you take the vehicle from the test centre for repairs and take it back within 10 working days. You can be charged a partial retest fee for this. In all other cases, you'll need to get a full retest and pay the full MOT test fee again.
