Everything you need to know about getting a valid MOT certificate

 

If your car is mechanically fit and fine, it will keep you safe on the roads. Moreover, you also expect that other cars have no faults and they do not create any risk for your vehicle. This mutual understanding makes roads safe for every driver. Imagine a scene where every car driver is following safety rules strictly. We are sure in this imaginary scene, road accidents would be at the minimum level.

Sadly not all car drivers maintain their vehicles properly. Therefore, the presence of mechanically sick vehicles is a real fact. However, every car driver gets car servicing guidelines with the vehicle but these guidelines are only suggestions. They do not compel a car driver to follow the rules in any condition. The Government of the UK has introduced a Tyres London test as the solution to this problem.

Drivers in the UK require an MOT certificate to prove that their vehicles are safe on roads. Suppose they do not have a valid certificate, the police department will take legal action against them.

Therefore, the fear of legal action naturally motivates car drivers to keep their cars in good condition. Moreover, they do not dare to avoid the test every year.

Why do car owners need an MOT certificate in the UK?

You need an MOT certificate in the United Kingdom because it is a legal requirement as per the rules and regulations of DVSA.

It is a legal offense to drive a car without a MOT certificate. The validity period of an MOT certificate is one year. It means you have to renew it every year to be able to drive your vehicle on the roads.

You need a valid MOT certificate to prove that your car is roadworthy. The absence of the certificate is proof that a tester has not checked your vehicle for roadworthiness. So, it is not confirmed whether your car is safe for the road or not. Therefore, the police department may ask questions about the condition of your car at any time.

You need a MOT certificate as evidence of the proper mechanical condition of your car when you sell your vehicle.

What is a MOT test certificate?

During the test, a tester will check your vehicle for mechanical faults. If your car does not have any faults, the tester will issue a certificate in the form of an A4 size sheet.

This certificate may have a list of minor issues that did not cause failure in the test but you have to keep an eye on them to avoid risk factors.

You need this certificate in your vehicle as legal proof of its roadworthiness.

Can you drive without an MOT certificate in any condition?

No, you cannot drive your car without a MOT certificate in any normal condition. There are the following exceptions in which you can drive your car without an MOT certificate:

If you driving to an MOT center to have the test, you can drive your car without an MOT certificate but you have to prove it with proper documents.

If you have failed the MOT test and driving to a garage to repair the vehicle, you can drive your car.

You have to note that you can drive your car only in the case of major faults. If your car has dangerous faults, you have only a towing option to reach the garage.

Benefits of having a valid MOT certificate

The MOT test is an annual test. It means you have to submit your vehicle to the test center every year. It means someone is present to assess the mechanical condition of your vehicle every year.

If you have the certificate, it means that your car is safe for passengers and other road users. So, the level of road safety certainly improves because of the strict guidelines of DVSA.

MOT rules clearly say that your vehicle must not leave harmful emissions while it runs on roads. So following the rules is beneficial for the environment as well.

MOT is a legal test; it means you have to follow the guidelines to legally drive your car on roads.

Since your car tries to get a certificate every year, you easily know about the mechanical faults in your car. Therefore, you always travel with complete peace of mind and lower maintenance cost.

Disadvantages of traveling without an MOT certificate

As mentioned above, instructions given in a car servicing schedule are not there to force you to visit a service center. However, you must visit a MOT center to avoid legal actions against you.

So, this is not a question of advantages or disadvantages. You must leave your car in the MOT center for a proper checkup every year to get the certificate. If you do not have the certificate or you are traveling without a valid certificate, the police department may stop your car to take legal action.

Moreover, you would not be able to detect major or dangerous faults in your car if you try to avoid the MOT center and certificate. As a result, your faulty car may create troublesome situations at any time.

We are sure you would not like to face any difficult situation just because of faults in your vehicle.

Therefore, MOT London is a very important aspect of road safety, driving comfort, and the long life of your vehicle. Never drive your car without a valid MOT certificate.