MOT validity - please advise!

[Guest]

hi gals,

i've got an MOT that expires on 10th of May 2006.

took my car in last weekend for a MOT, which it failed. on account of a frayed seatbelt. driver's seatbelt. no other items failed.

now, the question is --> am i allowed to drive my car meanwhile (e.g. to and from work)? I've got another appointment booked for this coming weekend to fit a new belt and a re-test.

everyone tells me different!! technically speaking, i still have a current MOT (the old one that hasn't expire yet), but logically speaking...my car's 'unworthy' at mo!

i rang a few garages to ask, most of them weren't sure but said they think i would be ok. the garage that did my failed MOT said it was fine to drive meantime. but when i rang vos/a the guy said he wouldn't if he were me!

[Guest]

they are covering there arses by saying no - but your car still has valid mot so its legal to drive.

i'd get your seatbelt sorted tho - don't want that failing when you need it!

[xxintergirlxxy]

Sorry guys but you are wrong. I used to be a probation officer, so know the law.

It is illegal to drive a car if knowingly it is in an unroadworthy condition.

Now if you have a valid MOT and you do not know, then you may have some mitigation in court, but driving an unroadworthy car just because it has an MOT does not vindicate you as the car is unroadworthy.

The biggest problem is that you are driving without a valid insurance and that is a criminal offence. The police would prosecute you.

You insurance company nullifies its cover the minute your car becomes unroadworthy.

But do not be too disheartened, we all 'take risks', we simply do not know if our cars are roadworthy unles we do as you did. We all take the chance.

My advice to you is that if you intend to keep your car on the road then for heavens sake drive carefully, not suggesting you dont but you cannot afford to be involved in an accident as the police WILL prosecute for 'driving without a valid insurance'!