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Topic: Covid MOT extension (Read 2421 times) previous topic - next topic

Covid MOT extension

So who's benefited from the 6 month MOT exentension? Mines been bumped from June 6 to Decemeber 6. Haven't used the car since March and it's been on SORN since lockdown started. I don't even think I'll recommision for July as I still have no where to go, but I'll tax the bike so I can restart my IAM which got put on hold.

Whilst the extension is great, I don't think I want a December MOT as any failure means I'll be out on the driveway in rain (or snow) with no evening daylight trying to get it sorted. But also not keen on a June MOT as a failure that close to Bristol Volksfest and other summer shows could mean missing a weekend out.

I think I'll present it for MOT in early September, (need to check Berkley Castle Show dates) after show season but before 'proper' winter hits. Feels like a good time of year for renewall, get everything checked, safe and ready to run through winter and not have any worries for summer shows following. Obviosuly regular checks and maintenace throughout the year will stay on top of any issues as they arise so in theroy no need to worry about a fail but you don't often get chance to get it up on a ramp so easy to miss something.

Anyone else got any thoughts on this, or thinking to manilulate the renewal date to yoru advantage?

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #1 –
Do you have a friendly garage that would do you a pre-mot check so you could get an idea of anything that needs sorting?  I know you would never drive the car if you were aware of any serious safety issues but it would give you a good steer on any issues that you could get sorted before gatting that pass certificate.  Unfortunately, there will be many people using the automatic extension to continue to drive unroadworthy vehicles without any thought for their own or anyone elses safety.
1988 8v GTI, 3 door in black.  It's a bit like me, doesn't look too bad from a distance but up close.......:D

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #2 –
My local mot station/garage was operating as normal, I was abit shocked this was weeks ago now.
Trying and mostly failing to keep a rust old tart of a golf on the road.

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #3 –
Over here it's a government agency (at dedicated test centers) and not regular garages that operate MOT's

At the end of last year they'd a problem with virtually all of their ramps and there were delays / short extensions being given to certain classes / age of vehicle to try and manage backlogs.

Things have moved on with covid and they're completely closed down now with first 4 month then 6 month arbitary extensions being handed out, ironically up until the day after the 205 was due.

It's now a full 12 month extension... the penny dropped all they were doing was pushing the problem down the line a bit and creating a massive bottleneck. 1 year extensions should in theory mean there's going to be a more even demand when things go back to as they were.

My 6 month extension date takes me up to late October, but I'm hoping they might add another 6 months then to bring people like me into line with others.

Over here you can book your MOT (I think, without checking) up to 3 months in advance of the due date, but the date of the test itself cannot be any more than a calendar month before your existing certificate expires, or if it's the first one, the day it is due.

They're also debating whether or not to make MOT's every 2 years here in the future, regardless of everything else that's going on.

Part of the argument for it is I believe the very small proportion of collisions that can be attributed to mechanical faults.

I suppose you could counter that by saying it'd the annual MOT that keeps cars in a more roadworthy condition, hence less defects.

On the one hand I wish my cars were elligible through age, not to be tested, but I know I'd look after them regardless. I'm not convinced you can rely on everyone to be concientious about their cars without some sort of regular check.

On the other hand I struggle to follow the government logic by allowing age related exemptions, my first reaction is the older a vehicle is the more likely it is to need maintanance... odd one.

Big subject, no straight answers!

 

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #4 –
My local garage has MOTd two of our cars recently.
Mk2 Golf Riviera
Other toys
 

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #5 –
My 8v has been extended but its been on sorn since November along with my Nova which has been extended to October. So doubtful they'll be turning a wheel anytime soon.

16v passed in January and is in use!

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Eddypeck on
So who's benefited from the 6 month MOT exentension? Mines been bumped from June 6 to Decemeber 6. Haven't used the car since March and it's been on SORN since lockdown started. I don't even think I'll recommision for July as I still have no where to go, but I'll tax the bike so I can restart my IAM which got put on hold.

Whilst the extension is great, I don't think I want a December MOT as any failure means I'll be out on the driveway in rain (or snow) with no evening daylight trying to get it sorted. But also not keen on a June MOT as a failure that close to Bristol Volksfest and other summer shows could mean missing a weekend out.

I think I'll present it for MOT in early September, (need to check Berkley Castle Show dates) after show season but before 'proper' winter hits. Feels like a good time of year for renewall, get everything checked, safe and ready to run through winter and not have any worries for summer shows following. Obviosuly regular checks and maintenace throughout the year will stay on top of any issues as they arise so in theroy no need to worry about a fail but you don't often get chance to get it up on a ramp so easy to miss something.

Anyone else got any thoughts on this, or thinking to manilulate the renewal date to yoru advantage?
I've done exactly that, as previously I had 2 cars due for MOT/Servicing in May every year. With my local VW garage re-opening, I've just had my R serviced/MOT'ed now (even tho the expiry date had been extended to Oct) & will get the other 1 done later in the year so i can spread the costs better!

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #8 –
I think your wrong saying it is a December mot for your car. The six month extension is the same for every car. It has to have an mot by end of September. The 6 months was from 31st of March

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Jedgar on
I think your wrong saying it is a December mot for your car. The six month extension is the same for every car. It has to have an mot by end of September. The 6 months was from 31st of March

Nope that’s not the case. Everyone gets a rolling six month extension from the date it was due. Therefore my June 6th MOT is now due December 6th. Easy way to check, online MOT check on DVLA website confirms it.

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #10 –
Ok i’ll Check that, always thought it was as I said. That’s good news for me as I only use my cars from may until end of October, so I wouldn’t need to mot any this year. Up here in Scotland we can only travel 5 miles legally, with a few exceptions, so the cars are not getting used much at the moment. Only use is a few miles to the supermarket and back.

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Damien.wrl on
I know it’s Kwik fit but they book an mot online , choose your time slot £25-30..... I have to sort 5 mots so that’s quite a saving and it’s not an all day job


This made me think of you booking 5 slots on a single day and drip feeding them with cars. Therfore you'd only need one lift back from dropping the first car and a lift there to pick up the last one! That could be a very expensive day though :{)!

But back to Tim's point you really need your test date when the weather is reasonable and the daylight hours are long just incase there is an issue you can fix yourself.
1991 Tornado Red BB 8v GTI Moredoor
2008 Skoda Octy Scout aka dirty diesel

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #12 –
Both my Golfs are SORN currently cant see that changing for this year, so MOTs have lapsed. The Polo was due on the 10 of June but as its my Daily its not going to wait till December. The local garages are swamped currently and my local place is not taking booking unless i want to drive 45miles to their sister garage. Theres a lot of cowboys in my area that use MOTs to get work so I’m very selective. Over the years I have caught a few out.  Fitting new brake pipes two years on the trot and both years the pipes still had the factory markings so were not OEM replacements or actually replaced at all.  They no longer trade...... A couple others just tried to blind me with motor science telling me the back flowing dodad was broken or my flux capacitor was on the blink.
They got told to F-off.

 I now just use the places that only do MOTs and dont give a rats arse if your car passes or fails as they dont do any work on them.
If its not got a VAG badge, I aint interested.

Re: Covid MOT extension

Reply #13 –
Quote from: big F on
I now just use the places that only do MOTs and dont give a rats arse if your car passes or fails as they dont do any work on them.

Likewise, I mostly use the local tyre and exhaust centre. They do a have the ability to carry out work but they don't push for it ... they have done the odd little job for me to get a pass. My son's clio had a bonnet latch that wasn't working. I asked them to WD40 it and give it a wiggle, which they did meaning I could take the car away again all legal. However it is the place that set fire to my Beetle, so as long as I don't let them do any welding I should be fine.