Wasn't expecting to have to MOT

[pcxr]

Tried to tax the Westy this morning but the online system stated no MOT information available and unable to process.

My car was registered on 20 August 2013 on a Q and shows on V5 as date of first registration so rightly or wrongly I was expecting MOT after 3 years.

Phoned DVLA, the woman put me on hold and came back and said as they have no date of manufacture it will need an MOT before it can be taxed.

I questioned the regulation that a vehicle needs an MOT 3 years after date of first reg and not manufacture but she stated not on this occasion.

Any views???

[Stu Faulkner]

My first Westfield was a Q and I only taxed it for 6 months from registration. When I taxed it again it needed an MOT. Because it's a Q it's not a new car as it uses second hand bits.

[corsechris]

I'd take a pragmatic view - get it MOT tested and taxed and enjoy it. You might be able to argue the point and eventually win your corner but any outcome that led to that would mean a change to the online system before you'd be able to tax it online...and that ain't happening any time soon I'd guess. For some, that's all part of the game and all power to them. For me, jump whatever hoop they stick in front of you to get what you want.

 

Assuming you have a competent and friendly MOT tester, it's a cheap bit of insurance to have the man cast an eye over it IMO.

[pcxr]

Getting it done on Wednesday 20 quid MOT, just wasn't expecting it.

[Rory's Dad]

Watch out for those £20 jobbies - they are sometimes a bit 'dependent' on finding something wrong with it.  I pay full price with Mr Hoyle.  As said above

 

...it's a cheap bit of insurance to have the man cast an eye over it IMO

[Andy (Sycho)]

Yep you only get 3 years grace with a new plate that relates to the year it was built.

[CosKev]

Yep you only get 3 years grace with a new plate that relates to the year it was built.

Really?

Have you got a link handy to that info please?

I've read of people having the same problem as above, going to post office and showing them the date of registration and getting them taxed fine with no MOT.

[pcxr]

Watch out for those £20 jobbies - they are sometimes a bit 'dependent' on finding something wrong with it.  I pay full price with Mr Hoyle.  As said above

It's decent sized garage chain in my area but we'lol see what happens.

Most garages around me are cheap now, I only know of one garage about 10 miles from me that still charges full price.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Someone did persevere and get a "definitive" answer from the then DVLA a few years ago. And that was no MOT required till three years from date of first registration.

 

But that doesn't mean automated systems are set up correctly, or that many of those working in the system haven't misunderstood!

[Andy (Sycho)]

Really?

Have you got a link handy to that info please?

I've read of people having the same problem as above, going to post office and showing them the date of registration and getting them taxed fine with no MOT.

I may be wrong, but that's what I was lead to believe.

I had a search it does say in some cases you will need a test when 1 year old, but there's no mention of q plates.

[CosKev]

I may be wrong, but that's what I was lead to believe.

I had a search it does say in some cases you will need a test when 1 year old, but there's no mention of q plates.

As Dave says above,pretty sure that's correct.

[Westford]

I spoke to the DVLA about this and they told me no MOT was required for 3 years on a new registration, but their system is not set up to deal with Q registrations as there are several different ways a car can be issued with a Q plate, not just newly built kit cars.

They assured me that if I took my documents to a post office and pointed out the date of first registration it should be straightforward and if I had any problems to get the post office to phone them as they have a direct contact for any taxation issues that they may encounter in their business.

Suffice to say I had no problems!

[ralphy]

Drifting off the topic-specific of Westfields, I quite welcome having my cars and bikes MOT’d.    

 

I’ve used my local guy for over a decade and not only has he found issues I was unaware of (and yes, a couple of embarrassingly missed ones at that!) he is also good at pointing out things that were outside of the MOT testing but needed being aware of/or attention to.

 

Whilst I readily accept the limitation of the MOT criteria I view it as a good check/2nd opinion - and I also like the facility to have a good look underneath the car at the same time too.

 

R

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

This is an excellent point Ralphy; likewise, I and a few other owners in the general area have used a place near Congleton called Astbury Garage, because Stuart, the owner, understands and "gets" kits. He knows what's really important, and what is perhaps less so. He also realises the sort of use our cars get and that he may be the only qualified person to check them over year to year. So while he's doing the tests the MOT says must be done, he's also looking at the important stuff - to us, that isn't on the list.

 

It's always reassuring to know that a second, trusted, pair of eyes has given the car a close "once over".

[corsechris]

What Ralphy said has always been why I don't really mind them TBH, and for the same reasons. It does depend on having a good guy to go to though doesn't it.