SVA one year on. MOT or Not to MOT

[futureproof]

Please find enclosed the response from VOSA after 3 phone calls and the following e-mails.
If any of you are lawyers and happen to be out of work, then maybe you could challenge this or tell me if my car needed to have been tested.

E-mails Latest first ???

The legislation covering requirements for when a vehicle needs an MOT test
is contained in the Road Traffic Act 1988- Section 47.
The difference in information given to you relates to the fact that DVLA
interpret the provisions of the Act differently to other Agencies in the
Department for Transport.
Ultimately, it would be a court of law who would have to confirm the
correct interpretation.
Unfortunately, I am unable to mail you the Section you require but you
should be able to see a copy in your local reference library.
Ian Byrne, Enquiry

Thank you for your reply.
Would you be able to mail me the "legislation" or special notice that
refers
to this. The reason I ask, is that I have since telephoned VOSA and been
advised that an MOT is not required. The man on the phone read out a memo,
verbatim, that said it was up to DVLA as the licensing authority, not VOSA.

Sorry I am confused.

I will however have the car tested any way, but as an avid member of kit
car
forums I would like to gain a clear answer.

Thank you for your help.


>
> As the vehicle has been given an age related plate of 1985, due to the
> vehicle predominately using this year of vehicle. This would mean the
> vehicle will require an MOT straight away.
>
> Regards
>
> Rebecca

[Sidecarbod]

This question pops up from time to time, infact I asked the same question about a year ago.

In the end I taxed my car on-line and the wedsite did not request the reference number from a MOT certificate so I assumed the DVLA do not require the car to be MOTed until three years after its registration date.

My car also has an age related plate but the log book shows that it was registered in 2005. (The plate is F reg, i.e in the 80's).

Regards,

Pete

[craggle]

I went through the same a few weeks back.

My car is registered on an age related plate.
I got an MOT, SVA certificate and insurance before visiting the DVLA to get the registration.
Last year I put the car on SORN due to it being painted but last month I re-taxed it. I went through the online taxing process on the DVLA web page and to my surprise it said insurance and MOT requirements checked successfully.
4 days later the tax disc turned up and I have not MOT'ed the car this year. In fact it has never had a computerized MOT.

I wasn't going to worry about it. Should I?

Craig.

[futureproof]

Your insurance would be void if you do not have a current MOT if you need one. It would seem the Gov do not know how to interpret their own laws. But I bet the insurance would argue you should have had one if a pay out was needed ?????

[craggle]

I was thinking of going to my local MOT centre and see what their computer says.

Surely it will tell them if the car doesn't need an MOT, if they try to log onto the system to do it?

Craig.

[Sidecarbod]

Originally Posted by craggle

I was thinking of going to my local MOT centre and see what their computer says.

Surely it will tell them if the car doesn't need an MOT, if they try to log onto the system to do it?

Craig.

Good idea...........keep us informed!

[wilf]

Why would you NOT want an independant check of the main safety related components of your car once a year? Are we not discussing cars with phenomenal performance capabilities? Don't you value your lives highly, or at least more than the cost of 3 MOT tests?

I don't understand why anyone seeks to avoid an MOT for 3 years. Just go and get one. I could care less what the DVLA or anyone else says - I want my car checked by someone independant, notwithstanding the non-comprehensive nature of the test. It HAS to be worthwhile.

[JonnyT]

I agree with Wilf entirely and ultimately, given the number of miles that these cars do, unless there is a failure of a major part, about which we would all want to know, I would have thought the chances of failing are small, and futureproof to be fair, concedes that he will be getting one done.

However, doesn't make it something that shouldn't be discussed to determine what the right or wrong answer is. It might be very relevant in other circumstances - for instance if you were stopped and PC Plod asks you for an MOT certificate and prosecutes you for not having one, when the original one ran out a week earlier (and yes I have seen it happen).

[Grease Monkey]

I've just taxed mine online and it went straight through with no MOT, again no computerized one for me. Reg 2005, so it's under 2 years old.

I may well get one, but this gives me a chance for a few shake down trips to get the cooling system etc sorted first following the winter strip and rebuild.

But then again, for £45, an inspection by a muppet who knows nothing about the car, and will probably fail it on 'emissions' or somesuch in the hope of getting the work doesn't sound overly appealing.

I'm sorry, but i put average garage mechanics right up there with estate agents, recruitment agents and telesales staff.

EDIT - Further to that, the car had an MOT pre SVA, since then it's done around 3000 miles. My tin top will quite happily do 20000 between MOT's, so i think 3-5k is bugger all, especially since with the exception of the solid metal Jag bits, all components used in the build were new.

[Sidecarbod]

I have to say that I am inclined to agree with Mr Grease Monkey.

I spend many an hour working on my car and am pretty sure that I'd spot any problems quicker than some bod poking about with my car for half an hour.

Regards,

Pete