Coronavirus and MOT tests
There appears to be confusion regarding the 6 month MOT exemption announced by the government and DVSA. So, using the latest information available from our DVSA MOT Station Portal – we’ll try to clarify the rules. Do bear in mind, this information is changing continuously and this is intended as a guide only – you should check the current information before making any decisions.
Will 1st 4 Garage Services be open?
If possible yes. Garage businesses have been categorised as an essential service so we can operate as normal. We are certainly taking the Coronavirus very seriously for the safety of both our customers and employees. We have applied a lot of changes to our normal service and other changes are sure to follow – please bear with us. We may be forced to reduce our opening hours, close on some days or even close entirely for a period of time – we just don’t know at this stage. Changes to opening times will be published on Facebook, Google and our own website.
MOT Expired on or before 29th March 2020
Your vehicle does not and will not be included in the six month exemption. To use the vehicle on the road, you will need to have a valid MOT certificate. You may have been unable to get the vehicle MOT’d if you were in isolation – and that’s fair enough. However, your first use of the vehicle should be taking it for a pre-booked MOT. If you use the vehicle without a valid MOT the normal penalties will apply. You will not be able to renew your vehicles road tax without a valid MOT.
MOT Expired on or after 30th March 2020
The DVSA will be applying a 6 month extension to MOT due dates in batches each week – but that could stop at any time. Therefore, it is advised that you check your vehicles MOT status before using it the road (don’t assume you have the 6 month extension). Our website contains a link to the MOT status checker, visit https://www.1st4garageservices.co.uk/mot-dagenham.php Once the extension period has been added, you will be able to renew your road tax should you need to. If for whatever reason, the extension is not applied to your vehicle and you are therefore unable to tax it, you will need to register a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
Will I receive a paper copy of my MOT ?
Currently no. To reduce the possible transmission of the virus, DVSA has asked MOT stations not to supply one. You can go online and print off a copy at : https://www.gov.uk/replacing-lost-damaged-mot-certificate
Can I still get my vehicle MOT’d during the extension period?
Yes. You can get your vehicle MOT’d on its existing due date, or before or after that date. The fact that the extension has been granted doesn’t mean you have to wait until that date.
Why would I bother getting an MOT if an extension is applied?
Aside from the obvious safety of your family and other road users reason. A secondary consideration is your obligation to maintain the vehicle in a roadworthy condition. The DVSA website currently warns “You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.”
You do need to consider this carefully – would you know if your vehicle has a worn ball joint, a damaged brake hose, a bulge on the inner wall of a tyre, a broken coil spring……………the list could go on, and on.
Given that the driver has always had this obligation, we already offer a safety check service which customers use between MOTs – and maybe that could be of interest.
