No MOT, no Tax

[a06275]

First off, I hold my hands up ... I've been a complete fool :bang:

Basically, I'm a forgetful idiot, and I was certain I'd renewed my road tax (end of Dec '09). I finally got around to checking where the disc was today, and couldn't find an email receipt for it anywhere. When I got home this evening, I scoured my computer for receipts and my filing cabinet, and eventually found the renewal letter. The code on that had expired, so I eventually found my V5 and proceeded with the online application.

First thing, I get told that they've noticed a gap in the road tax period. Then, when I hit proceed, I get told that there's no valid MOT against that vehicle. From what I understand, no MOT invalidates my insurance, so I'm now worried that I've been driving without Tax, MOT or insurance, even though the insurance is on DD and has been continuous for many, many years.

I'm planning on booking the thing in for an MOT first thing tomorrow, and hopefully will be able to get the tax done as soon as that's complete.

The question then is, what's going to happen to me? I'm willing to take my punishment, but I'm just desperately hoping that this sort of thing is seen as an honest mistake, and I don't get either points or any kind of serious punishment. Can anyone help please? Am really worried about this :(

[IanW]

Have you been stopped at all? Or have you just noticed yourself?

[a06275]

No, not been stopped - just noticed myself. But the online road tax application said that the gap in tax/sorn had been noticed, and that the necessary people would be informed.

[Arryace]

whats going to happen?

you havent been caught yet, have you?

test it, tax it and cross your fingers

[IanW]

That will just be the DVLA internally, so probably expect to have to pay your back tax plus a bit.

[a06275]

That'd be good if that's all it is. Monetary punishment I can cope with. Thanks for the comments! :)

[spinlondon]

They issue an £80 fine one calender month after the last period of sorn or tax expires. So your fine was issued on the last day of January, first day of February. If you pay the fine within the time limit it is only £40.
I wouldn't bank on it being forgoton about. I don't know what the penalty for driving on the road with out tax is? Back duty plus a fine.

[MartinHP71]

From what I understand, no MOT invalidates my insurance,

I would doubt this. For example you could could have a fault which means it has failed an MOT, that doesn't mean the insurance is automatically voided. Check what your policy actually says and not what urban myths has it. Otherwise how will you get it to your MOT station tomorrow ???

[Masked Marauder]

There are no penalty points for either no MOT or VEL. The insurance is not going to be an issue.

[oldcodger]

As others have said there is no requirement in law for a car to have a current MOT in order for the insurance to be valid. It is possible for an insurer to make this a condition of an individual policy but I have never seen one.

[wazza]

Old Codger is correct (As usual) No MOT does not invalidate your insurance.... but would be a stumbling block if you needed to claim off your insurance, but it does not mean at the time you were driving you were NOT covered.

Get your car tested and taxed and expect a possible fine to drop through the letter box re late tax renewal.

[jimzzr]

As others have said there is no requirement in law for a car to have a current MOT in order for the insurance to be valid. It is possible for an insurer to make this a condition of an individual policy but I have never seen one.

I would have to check for sure but it's my recollection the the RTA specifically prevents insurers from refusing third party claims for a lack of MOT. I accept that they could have a condition which still cancelled the insurance but would have to pay out regardless and recover the money through civil action. However the OP would still be 'insured' as far as the RTA and police are concerned.

Jim

[Masked Marauder]

I agree, no MOT could only revoke the comprehensive element of a policy, to cancel the third party element the insurance company must contact you and tell you they have done so and request the return of the certificate.

[Kris]

Not having an MOt doesn't actually mean your car is not in a safe and roadworthy condition, just as the same way having an MOT doesn't mean the car IS in a safe and roadworthy condition.

The insurance company would look to see whether the vehicle was roadworthy t the time of the incident and whether any defect that made it roadworthy was the direct or a majro contributary cause of the accident. If it wasn't , the only effect not having an MOT would have is to reduce the value of the car is it was written off.

[channa]

And having looked recently at the decisions of the Financial Ombudsmen Service in respect of Insurance disputes the reduction in value is IMHO minimal.

FWIW my opinion is based upon 25 years experience valuing cars for major retail groups.

Channa

[a06275]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm now fully legal - Tax and MOT - so now I just have to wait for any potential fine. Ironically, I got caught doing 36 in a 30 (quiet road through a village on a Sunday ... not noticing the speed limit changes - idiot), just a couple of weeks ago, so this didn't help matters. Clean licence though, and eligible for the Speed Awareness course, so fingers crossed that's the sum total of my brushes with the law for the foreseeable!!