MOT exemption
Since my last Editorial – which I wrote only 25 days ago – for most of us, our daily lives have somewhat changed.
The government has set-out guidelines due to the raging COVID-19 virus, which advise us to stay at home – only to venture outside for food, health reasons or work (if you can’t work from home).
Many of us have decided to stock-up the freezer and other essentials and sit it out at home for a set period, worried that if we did venture out, the risk of catching coronavirus is high.
Of course, depending on how many vehicles you have in your household, one or two might now not be exercised for weeks – even months. See our feature on pages 42-43 regarding selfisolating your motor for the short-term.
For many motorists the worry of keeping any vehicle roadworthy depended on if your current MOT was about to expire. News, though, finally came through that cars, light vans and motorcycles would be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing (in England, Scotland, Wales) enabling vehicles to still be used legally. This came into force from March 30, so if you have a vehicle (like I do) that has its MOT running out on April 29, it will, in theory, now run out on October 29.
If you check the MOT status of your vehicle online, you will probably find that it is still listed as showing the usual MOT expiry date – the reason for this, I believe, is that they aren’t updating vehicles that run-out in the weeks or months ahead, only those that have days left on the current test. They are probably doing this so that they can amend the six-month exemption at any time they wish (ie. less than six months).
You must, of course, make sure your vehicle is roadworthy during the exemption – and I’m sure those who read this magazine would be top-notch at that job. Saying that, some MOT testing stations are still open. My local tester is in testing five days a week. In fact, before the news came through of the six-month exemption, he was busy doing 14 MOT tests in one day! The general public were – and I don’t blame them – anxious to get their cars tested, even if it was earlier than the official date. Some of my local garages are still trading, one offering collection from the owner’s residence, servicing, repairs, MOTS and return – complete with a sanitised steering wheel and fascia.
So, don’t panic if your vehicle’s MOT is due soon and isn’t showing online or any app you use as not having the sixmonth exemption – I’m sure it will show as the MOT approaches. I will find out at the end of this month and report back.
If you do have to venture out on the road, fuel is cheaper than it was in February. Here my local Esso is selling unleaded at 111.9p and diesel at 115.9. Have you seen it cheaper?
Additionally, I did SORN eight of my vehicles before the next monthly directdebits were due on April 1st! Even I was shocked at that amount. I’m now saving vast amounts of money. It’s not a good time to sell cars either. Is it?