Temporary Six-Month MOT Exemption
We have encountered many enforced changes in our everyday lives of late. It’s only until different circumstances arise do we realise how much we take them for granted and how we lucky we had previously been to be able to tackle tasks so simply without much thought needing to be given to them.
But since the Coronavirus outbreak, have you thought about your next MOT? Is your next test date during the lockdown? Is an MOT classed as essential? We have all of the information and guidance for you, as it stands today. Please also bear in mind that the Government may change rulings at any time, so it’s important to keep checking www.gov.uk for updates.
As of the 30th March 2020, the Government has issued a 6 month MOT exemption, which is in place for 1 year (subject to change). This means that MOT vehicle tests will not be required for 6 months after their original due date. As a garage that performs MOTs, we believe that even though this is ruling is in place, it can cause implications where insurance and general car maintenance are covered and could cause greater issues in the long run that may have been overlooked when the policy was created.
Don’t Assume You Qualify
It’s possible, though, that any vehicle that has its MOT due from the 30th March 2020 onwards for the next twelve months may NOT have its expiry date extended by six months. The Government have warned that this new Exemption Policy is under constant review. You must not assume that the date will be moved forward, and you should check it in the week running up to the MOT due date. For example, if your MOT due date is the 29th May 2020, the expiry date will stay unchanged until the 22nd May 2020, when it’s expected to be extended by six months. However, if the Coronavirus pandemic shows improvement by that date and certain restrictions are lifted or relaxed, it’s possible the Exemption Policy may be revoked, leaving you to source an available garage in time to perform the MOT. To check when your MOT is due, visit https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
We find that for many cars, the only time it comes into a garage is when it has its MOT. We are worried that this extension may mean there could well be many vehicles on the road with balding tyres, thinning brake pads, and expired headlight bulbs unbeknown to the driver, even if your MOT date has been extended, safety is paramount.
With the exemption policy in place, we may find that the next MOT tests we run will be in October. As far as road safety is concerned, we would like to see this policy ended sooner rather than later. We all have a duty to maintain our cars and to keep them safe on the roads. How on earth can this be possible now?! Surely there is an argument that it could create more damage if undetected dangerous cars are out on the road?
Will Insurance Protect You?
What about your car insurance? We would expect there to be some clever loophole that some insurance companies will find so that you may not be covered during this exemption period, especially if you fail to keep your car well maintained. Check your tyre tread regularly, check your lights all the time, ensure there are no visible leaks from the car and no visible cracks in the windscreen.
We honestly believe that even though this policy is in place, people should still stick to their original MOT test due date, to avoid any long-term vehicle, insurance, or law issues. By law, drivers will still be expected to maintain their cars and keep them roadworthy. Hefty fines can be issued should your car be deemed as unsafe and with just under a third of vehicles in the UK annually failing their MOT, the risk now is frighteningly large.
So let’s all work together to keep safe for the now and for the future. Wash your hands. Observe social distancing. Stay at home. Look after your vehicle. Let’s get out of lockdown as quickly as we can so that the MOT Exemption Policy is revoked as soon as possible.
Should you need any advice or wish to speak to one of our expert mechanics, feel free to get in touch.