Did you know that the majority of vehicles cannot be taxed without a valid MOT certificate?
It's actually illegal to tax your car without a valid MOT certificate (unless it meets the exemption criteria) and you can invalidate your insurance if you do so!
If your MOT & tax renewal are due around the same time, you must either tax your car while your current certificate is valid OR after your vehicle has passed another inspection.
Read on and find out why you need a valid MOT to tax your vehicle, and what happens to your remaining car tax when your current MOT runs out.
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Can You Tax a Car Without an MOT?
You may only tax your car without an MOT if your vehicle is:
- Under 3 years old
- MOT exempt
You will still need to tax your car even if it is over 40 years old and has classic car tax exemption.
This won’t cost you anything, and you will not need an MOT certificate to do this.
Why Do You Need a Valid MOT to Tax Your Vehicle?
The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) requires that most drivers hold a valid MOT certificate for their vehicle before renewing or purchasing road tax.
It is illegal to tax your car without an MOT, and this could invalidate your insurance policy - an insurer is unlikely to want to cover you if you are involved in an accident without a valid MOT.
In order to tax your car, you need an MOT certificate which is valid on the start of your vehicle tax date - or the date it is issued.
If your current MOT expires before these dates, then you cannot tax the vehicle until you have secured a new MOT certificate.
You should book an MOT test as soon as possible, so that you can make sure to tax your vehicle before the MOT cover runs out.
You can use the gov.uk website to check if your vehicle has a valid MOT before you pay your car tax online.
You can also tax your car at your local post office, where your MOT status will be checked.
You will need to take your up-to-date MOT certificate and V11 reminder with you to tax your vehicle.
What Happens to My Remaining Car Tax When My MOT Runs Out?
If your MOT expires, you can request a car tax refund from the DVLA for any full months’ tax remaining on your vehicle.
You cannot drive your car - or leave it parked on a public road - until you have a valid MOT certificate, and renew your car tax.
You must make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) if you plan on taking your vehicle off the road, or scrapping the car.
How Do I Renew My Car Tax If My MOT Has Expired?
If your MOT expires, you won’t be able to renew your car tax until you have a valid MOT certificate.
If you do not have an MOT and want to renew your car tax, you will need to do the following:
- Make a SORN
- Book an MOT test
- Tax your car after your vehicle passes its MOT test
Can You Insure a Car Without an MOT?
Whilst you can technically insure a car without an MOT, you will not be able to drive the vehicle or park it on a public road until you have valid car insurance.
You should make a SORN if you do not plan on using your vehicle on the road.
Can You MOT a Car without Tax?
You can get an MOT even if your car doesn't have tax.
However, if your car doesn't have tax, you can't legally drive it to the MOT test centre unless you're driving directly to and from a pre-booked MOT appointment.
It is legal to drive an untaxed vehicle to and from a test centre for a pre-arranged MOT test if you have adequate insurance cover in place, though.
You will need to arrange alternative transportation for your car to get to the test centre legally if not.
You should carry evidence of the MOT appointment with you in case you are stopped by the police.
