The MOT extension due to coronavirus has now expired. Under the scheme, MOT tests for cars, motorcycles and light vans due from Monday 30 March 2020 were granted a temporary six-month exemption.
The idea was to allow key workers to get to work, and for people to access essential food and medicine, during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The six-month exemptions were granted automatically, but they ended on 1 August 2020.
As a result of the exemption, the number of MOT tests declined 79 percent in April 2020 and 61 percent in May 2020, according to DVSA data.
And the knock-on effect has been a 160 percent leap in MOTs last month (April 2020), says the Book My Garage website.
How did the MOT extension work?
MOT expiry dates were automatically extended by six months, owners didn’t need to do anything. This was actioned about a week before the original MOT due-date was about to expire.
A new paper MOT certificate was not issued, to save on paperwork.
However, the online MOT record showed the revised date, so the police could tell drivers still had a current MOT.
Online check MOT status tools also used the new, extended date.
Car insurance remained valid under the MOT extension. Motorists are required to have a current MOT as part of car insurance rules (Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988).
This legislation applied in England, Scotland and Wales. There were separate arrangements for Northern Ireland. Such an exemption could potentially be reintroduced in the event of another lockdown. Thankfully, this looks unlikely.
What about MOTs for lorries, buses and coaches?
MOTs for lorries, buses and coaches were suspended for up to three months from 21 March 2020.
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and public service vehicles (PSVs) were issued with a three-month certificate of temporary exemption (CTE).
The government reminds operators to keep their vehicles maintained, in a safe-to-drive and roadworthy condition.
They should also still be operated within the terms of the operators’ licence conditions.
Can I be prosecuted for not having an MOT?
Yes, all cars must have a valid MOT. In addition, motorists are responsible for making sure their car is always safe to drive, or ‘roadworthy’.
Even cars with an MOT can be unsafe and classed as unroadworthy.
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