Driving and Other Risks With a Failed MOT

Do you often sit and wonder what would happen if I continued to drive with a failed MOT certificate? Is a failed MOT Bridgend test that big a deal that can put me into driving and other unfortunate risks? Also, what if my MOT has expired? Can I still drive post that? 

Well, if you want clear answers to all the above questions, read on. This blog below will give you more insights into untouched aspects of MOT that can be risky for you if not followed. 

MOT Fails and Driving

From a failed MOT, driving with a failed MOT, you bought a new car & MOT, and there are more areas that you should be very mindful of when it comes to MOT. Below, we are going to explain some of the situations you can fall into. See where you stand and what the right approach could be:

A Failed MOT

It’s possible that there could be a clash, which is, that you fail your current MOT test but the test you took the last time and succeeded in the certificate is still valid. If that’s the case and your current MOT failure reason has no dangerous tags, you can get the minor repairs done and reappear for the test again. The only demand is that your car must be tagged positive for the road-worthiness. 

A Missed MOT

Now comes another situation where you manage to miss the date for your MOT and not appear for the same. If this is combined with your current MOT certificate expiring, you can get into trouble. For that, the only way is to be careful and mindful of the dates so you don’t miss it. 

A New Car and an MOT

If you bought a new car, you won’t require any MOT test for it for the first three years. But if you get your hands on a secondhand car, the requirement changes. With a secondhand car, you need to have an update of its MOT history and continue in the same way. If taken lightly, they can be fined heavily. 

An Accident and the MOT

When you take your car for an MOT test, routine checkups happen like some damage, to the engine, parts, exhaust system, structure, and others. Now, if you get a pass MOT certificate, but your vehicle, unfortunately, meets with an accident, the MOT can go invalid in that situation if the test re-conducted shows your car is not road-worthy. 

There are some situations and conditions also to keep in mind if anything like that happens.

After the checkup, if your car falls under the A or B category, your MOT goes invalid straightforwardly. A stands for ‘scrap only’ and B stands for ‘break for parts.’ 

If your car falls under the S or N category, you will have to check with an expert or your insurer to see if the MOT is still valid. S stands for ‘structurally damaged but repairable’ and N stands for ‘not structurally damaged and repairable.’ 

You should be aware of these code words to better understand what’s happening and what should be done. Most of you must be aware, and most of you must be not. 

Can I Be Caught With a Failed MOT? How?

Once your MOT test has been completed, the garage from where you got the test done will update your results, whether passed or failed, to the DVSA’s database. The information provided can be accessed by anyone, an authority to be precise, with the help of your number plate. 

There are dedicated authorities for this in the UK known as ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) and systems on board police.

If you try to continue to drive with a failed MOT, it could lead to legal issues. Therefore, avoid doing that at all costs. 

Also, if you want to complain about others driving with a failed MOT, you can do that too. Get in touch with your local police with some details like their number plate, car’s model, and color to file a complaint. It’s about your safety and being vigilant is a good thing. 

What’s the Fine For Driving Without an MOT?

If caught driving without a valid MOT, you will have to pay a fine as follows: 

• If it’s just an invalid MOT with no dangerous tags during your MOT test, the fine can be up to £1,000.
• If your MOT has a dangerous-to-drive tag, the fine can go up to £2,500 too. 

Save your pockets by just doing the needful at the right time. 

Get Away With the All The MOT Risks

Why put yourself in trouble when you can do the minimum and save yourself from maximum risks? Be it MOTs or Car Servicing Bridgend, everything in the end leads to your well-being and your safety. So, be more careful and vigilant with your MOT for the best.