What to Do If Your MOT Expires During the Coronavirus Crisis
The coronavirus pandemic is a worrying time for us all. To help put your mind at ease as a vehicle owner, we have put together a guide on what to do if your MOT expires during this crisis. The 6-month exemption for MOT testing has been introduced so that our communities can focus on the essential services needed to battle the outbreak. Find out more information on this new extension, with further advice on what you need to take an MOT and what can fail an MOT.
Coronavirus MOT exemption
The government have said that from 30th March 2020, cars, vans and motorcycles that require an MOT will have their testing period extended for 6 months. Insurance will remain valid, and vehicle records will be updated to reflect the 6 month certificate extension.
To ensure the safety of yourself and others, vehicles must still be in a roadworthy condition when being driven, and so garages will remain open for repair work that is considered essential. The Department of Transport is continuously working to make sure garages that remain open have safety precautions in place, and those that are self-isolating will not be unfairly impacted due to circumstances that are out of your control.
Keeping yourself safe in uncertain times
We understand that in a period of crisis, safety must be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The extension of MOT certificates has been put in place to protect workers and drivers alike, whilst still allowing key workers to carry on with essential travel.
Drivers of unsafe vehicles can still be prosecuted, so it is your responsibility to ensure your car is safe to drive without any significant problems that could impact your driving or safety on the roads. Our Poole and Christchurch Honda dealerships have emergency contact numbers that you can use for urgent mechanical assistance.
What to check before an MOT
If you are unsure what to check before an MOT, or what to take to an MOT appointment, here are easy steps you can take to make sure you are prepared:
- Check your warning lights – if any warning lights are showing, check your vehicle manual handbook to understand any issues present. You can also check that all of your interior and exterior car lights are working correctly.
- Check the interior and exterior mirrors – do a check of all mirrors to ensure they are in good condition and do not impair your vision in any way.
- Check your seatbelts, seats and doors – the driver’s seat must be adjustable and all seats within the vehicle must be in the correct upright position. All seats must have working seatbelts in good condition that can be fastened correctly.
For your MOT appointment, bring along your Vehicle Registration Document, vehicle logbook and any appointment letter or confirmation.
What can fail an MOT?
Most vehicles that receive faults on MOTs are from parts that can be checked beforehand. Don’t forget to carry out a routine check on the items listed above, as well as windscreen wipers, horn and tyre conditions. These are some typical reasons what can fail an MOT:
- Brakes – These are designed to keep you safe on the roads, so do a frequent routine test of your brakes to make sure they work correctly on all road surfaces. Don’t forget to check your handbrake, and ensure your car remains stationary on an incline.
- Engine – Engine failures will show up as a warning light on your dashboard. Keep an eye on any warning lights that are flashing, and listen out for any unrecognisable noises when driving that could indicate a fault with the engine.
- Exhaust – check that your car exhaust is running correctly with no significant smoke or unfamiliar sounds.
If you have already purchased a vehicle from our Honda dealership, or have an appointment to take a look at either our new cars or used Honda cars, our sales department will contact you. For other assistance that is considered urgent, please contact our emergency sales numbers for more information.
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External sources: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020