MOT Extensions during Covid-19: What You Need to Know
You're probably already aware of the government's scheme of extending MOT expiry dates by six months to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), but there has been word lately that this extension may be scrapped altogether.
Even though this extension is currently still in place and many have taken advantage of the extension time, it is still very important to ensure your vehicle is in a safe and roadworthy condition – for your safety and because even though you may not need the paperwork just yet, you are still obliged to make sure your vehicle is deemed safe to drive.
Many vehicles won't have had a service for 12 months, and in cases where people have avoided renewing their MOT also, it could mean that your vehicle can go unchecked for up to 18 months. Imagine some of the costly issues that could have incurred by then?
Since the lockdown took effect, hundreds of thousands of vehicles each month have been missing their normal MOTs and this in turn means that there's a risk of many more unroadworthy cars traveling on our roads.
Nearly a third of vehicles licensed in Britain fail their initial MOT with more than a fifth having a major defect or repairs required.
How does the 6-month extension on my MOT work?
If your MOT is due on or after 30th March 2020, the extension may apply to you.
It means your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be extended automatically by 6 months (if it is eligible). This will take place about seven days before it's due to expire.
This will mean:
- Your vehicle will carry a valid MOT certificate for an additional six months
- Your vehicle can still be taxed
- Your insurance policy will still be valid
- Your vehicle record will be updated so the police can see you have a valid MOT.
Please note: you won't get a new paper MOT certificate with the new expiry date on it.
What happens if my car fails its MOT?
Your MOT extension will no longer apply if you take your vehicle for its MOT and it fails. Your vehicle will need to be repaired and pass its MOT before you can use it again. This shouldn’t put you off getting your vehicle MOT tested before the extension is up – the question you should be asking is: ‘if my vehicle fails the MOT, should I be driving it?’
Is the six month MOT extension going to be cancelled?
The extension may still be cancelled, but this is still an undecided factor.
With many garages back working as normal, many in the trade are calling for the extension to be scrapped altogether. However, despite this legislation being put in place rapidly, it is proving tricky to undo.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has stated that they are very much for scrapping the extension because it says dangerous cars are being driven around on the roads.
What do I need to do next?
Here at Queens Park Garage we specialise in MOTs and servicing and will be more than happy to help in this difficult time. Our MOTs cost just £37.95 and we endeavour to deliver the highest level of service for miles around. Contact us today or you can make an appointment online using our online booking form.
