Taking a newly purchased car straight to an MOT – are you covered?

What the Law Says About Driving Without an MOT

Generally speaking, it is illegal to drive a car on public roads without a valid MOT certificate. However, there is one key exception: you may drive a car without an MOT if you are taking it to a pre-booked MOT test.

This means that before even thinking about setting off, you need to book an MOT appointment. You should also have proof of your booking, such as a confirmation email or reference number, just in case you're stopped by the police.

Does Insurance Cover You for the Journey?

Even though the law allows you to drive a car to a pre-arranged MOT, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re insured to do so. This is where things can get complicated, because most short-term insurance policies may only cover vehicles with a valid MOT.

If the car you’ve just bought doesn’t have an MOT, you may need to explore other options, such as:

• Checking existing policies: If you already have a policy on another car, some insurers may allow you to transfer cover temporarily.
• Looking into specialist cover: Some insurers offer policies specifically designed for vehicles being driven to an MOT.
• Arranging transport: If you can’t find a suitable insurance policy, using a trailer or recovery service could be the safest and most legal way to move the car.

What If You’re Stopped on the Way?

If you’re driving to a pre-booked MOT without a valid certificate, it’s important to have everything in order. If stopped by the police, they may ask for:

• Proof of your MOT booking.
• Evidence that the car is insured for the journey.
• Confirmation that the vehicle is roadworthy - driving a car in a dangerous condition could still result in penalties.

Without the right documents, you could face a fine, penalty points, or even have the car seized.

Is the Car Safe to Drive?

Even if you’re legally allowed to drive a car to its MOT, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe to do so. Before heading to the test centre, check:

• Brakes: Ensure they feel firm and responsive.
• Tyres: The tread should meet legal requirements, and there should be no visible damage.
• Lights: Headlights, indicators, and brake lights should all be working.
• Fluids: Check the oil, coolant, and screen wash levels.

If the car feels unsafe to drive, it may be better to arrange for it to be transported rather than risk a breakdown - or worse, an accident - on the way.

Alternative Ways to Get the Car to an MOT

If you can’t find insurance or don’t feel comfortable driving the car, there are other ways to get it to the test centre:

• Trailer or recovery truck: If you have access to a car trailer or know someone with a vehicle transport service, this could be the simplest way to move the car legally.
• Mobile MOT service: Some garages offer a mobile MOT testing service, where they come to your location instead.
• Asking the garage: Some MOT centres may be able to arrange collection and delivery for testing.

These options could be particularly useful if the car hasn’t been driven for a long time and needs mechanical checks before being roadworthy.

What If the Car Fails Its MOT?

Hopefully, your newly purchased car could pass its MOT with flying colours, but if it doesn’t, you need to be aware of what happens next.

• If the car fails with only minor issues: You may still be allowed to drive it, depending on what needs fixing.
• If the car fails with major or dangerous faults: You won’t be allowed to drive it at all until repairs are made.

If the car is deemed unroadworthy, you’ll need to arrange for it to be towed or transported to a garage for repairs.

The Final Analysis:

Buying a car without an MOT adds an extra layer of complexity when it comes to getting it home and road-legal. Whilst the law allows you to drive directly to a pre-booked test, most short-term insurance policies could only cover vehicles with an existing MOT - meaning you may need to look at alternative options for getting insured or transporting the car.

Need to Arrange Insurance Before Taking Your Car to an MOT?

If you’ve just bought a car and need to drive it to an MOT test, make sure you have the right insurance in place. And before buying it: ask yourself why the seller didn't get an MOT before offering it for sale. You may be buying a load of trouble you could do without.