MOT’s
The Government has recently revealed that standard MOT’s for vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales will resume from the 1st August.
There has been an extension on MOT’s for six months during the Coronavirus pandemic but there are now growing concerns about road safety.
As more drivers take to the roads, there is a worry that some cars may not be road worthy, causing more accidents.
An MOT is specifically designed to not only check the car’s safety for the person driving it, but it is vital that the vehicle is roadworthy. An MOT will check lights, brakes, tyres, seatbelts and the engine to name a few of the key checks.
Exemptions
MOT’s for cars, motorbikes and vans which were due on the 30th March were granted a temporary six month exemption to allow key workers get to work and people to go and get essential food and medicine during the Coronavirus outbreak.
If your MOT was due on the 3rd April 2020, it was automatically extended until the 3rd October 2020. If your vehicle was due its first MOT (applicable for cars that are three years old), the extension applies six months from the due date.
This also means that car insurance remains valid as motorists are usually required to have a current MOT certificate as part of their insurance and Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
If your MOT was due before 30th march 2020, your vehicle is not exempt and you are legally required to have a valid MOT otherwise you can still be prosecuted for driving without one.
If you cannot get your vehicle to an MOT test station, the Government advise to register your car as off the road, otherwise known as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
As the motorist, you are responsible for ensuring that your car is safe to drive and roadworthy.
Why are MOT’s important?
The MOT test (Ministry of Transport) was introduced back in 1960 to reduce the amount of car crashes that were at a worrying high.
A large number of crashes were due to cars that had not been maintained by their owners. By introducing the MOT it was hoped that it would ensure that cars were only allowed to drive on the road if they passed a certain criteria.
There are 20 components that are checked in a car during its MOT to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive and road worthy.
Why are MOT’s important?
To check whether your car is due it’s MOT or to see whether you have been granted an extension, please visit https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status.
You can also check the following;
- MOT expiry date
- MOT test result
- Last recorded MOT mileage
- why the vehicle failed the MOT
- MOT failures, advisories and warnings
- Days left to next MOT due date
- When your vehicle was last MOT tested
If you are still unsure as to whether your car is due it’s MOT, give us a call and we will be happy to help.
If you are due an MOT test, even if your vehicle is included in the six month exemption period, why not give us a call on 01604 589179 to book your car in before the rush sets in.
