UK MOT Extension For 6 Months
The UK government have announced an extension of 6 months to the annual MOT. Every car and motorcycle over three years old requires the test, but things have changed. From the 30th March 2020 there will be an additional 6 months to get an MOT certificate. If your MOT expires before Monday 30th and you need your vehicle for work then the extension will not apply and you must take it for a test. The government is implementing a new law, but this takes time.
Of course if you’re ill you are advised not to use your car at all until you have recovered. But, if your car MOT expires on or after the 30th the exemption will apply. This however doesn’t mean that your cannot be roadworthy, the MOT paperwork was never a substitute for vehicle condition. This of course means that some of the Jalopy fleet cannot just be taken out on the roads next week… All cars, whether MOT exempt or not can get the driver prosecuted for being unroadworthy. The MOT exemption for your 40 year old classic doesn’t mean it can be like this…
Fines of up to £2500, driving bans or points on the license for the driver mean that it isn’t worth the risk. The government is working with insurers and the police to make sure that people are not caught unfairly. There’s even a guide to checking if your car is safe to drive or not; https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-safe
But the good news is that garages and MOT stations are open. Of course they are taking all necessary precautions at this time, some even do a collect and return service like some in my area. Also Halfords are keeping people on the road with their Autocentres staying open.
See the government’s full advice on the MOT changes here; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020
Simon