My motorhome is in Spain MOT Due to expire Help

[Skyblue3491]

My 6.3 m motorhome is in Valencia province Spain, my MOT runs out 20/08/20 . I am in Australia, with no flights to UK until further notice, because of COVID 19
I was due to fly back to UK 22/04/20 but all flights stopped. Any Suggestions?

 

[Theonlysue]

All well and good, but what would happen if you had a bad accident and needed hospitalisation or flying home (alive or dead) and no mot? Would insurers refuse to pay out?
The op knows the right answer, so dont come crying if you get caught

 

[gus-lopez]

However, you'd have to SORN and your insurance company might baulk at this.

You can't sorn out of the Uk.If you mention anything to an insurance company you won't have any.

So, no indirect flights from Oz to Spain? Why would you need to fly back to the UK first? (Is that where the MH key is kept but could you not get a relative to Fedex it to you?)

I doubt it as if there were we would be able to post letters & parcels to oz & we can't & haven't been able to for some months.

 

[mikebeaches]

mikebeaches had his shipped to UK but I cannot remember how much it cost. Of course, as you are in australia, you would need friends or family here to recieve it.

As Riverbankannie has mentioned, we decided to have our campervan transported back from Alicante when it got trapped in March as a result of the lockdown. The looming MOT was a significant concern, and we were keen to recover the van so we could use it here over the summer.

It wasn't cheap - quotes ranged from £2,340 to £3,600 inc VAT for a reputable door-to-door service. We bit the bullet, and accepted the best price. Have to say, the company, S G Haulage from Lincoln, were excellent. They can handle any size vehicle.

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Specialist UK haulage company offering heavy haulage services, crane hire & vehicle, car, motorhome, boat & abnormal load transport across the UK & Europe.

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They picked it up on a Thursday evening in Spain and delivered it to us on Monday lunchtime, having used Brittany Ferries from Santander to Portsmouth.

We kept our insurance company informed throughout. They extended our continental cover without charge because the van was stuck in Spain. And, somewhat astonishingly, when we renewed the policy for another year, the premium reduced significantly!

 

[EuroTrotters]

I have a limited amount of time to do it for you, I am busy next week, might be able to do it the week after.

I have to be in the UK for 24th August.

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[tonyidle]

We totally missed an MOT a couple of years ago, only realised when I pulled out old certificate to check the date. It had expired 11 months earlier

I would say just drive it back to U.K. as soon as you can, I guess the only real issue would be a breakdown or accident

but if you advise your insurers of the situation they may cover the risk, if they don’t I guess only option would be recovery, maybe just to Bilbao though then bring it back yourself on the ferry

AFAIK having no MoT has no effect on insurance and isn't a condition of being insured. The vehicle must be 'roadworthy' however.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I should add, I can drive up-to 7.5 ton
Clean driving license since 1983
May be able to arrange storage for you
I’m 15 mins from Manchester airport
I can arrange for an MOT for you too

maybe even take it back to Spain, depending on what unfolds.

 

[mikebeaches]

I should add, I can drive up-to 7.5 ton
Clean driving license since 1983
May be able to arrange storage for you
I’m 15 mins from Manchester airport
I can arrange for an MOT for you too

maybe even take it back to Spain, depending on what unfolds.

Very generous!

Don't forget about quarantine on your return...

 

[Minxy]

AFAIK having no MoT has no effect on insurance and isn't a condition of being insured. The vehicle must be 'roadworthy' however.

I thought it had to be legal to use it in it's country of registration for insurance to be valid? In which case no MOT would invalidate that.

 

[mikebeaches]

I thought it had to be legal to use it in it's country of registration for insurance to be valid? In which case no MOT would invalidate that.

My understanding - which is possibly not correct - is that a minimum of third party cover will be maintained on a roadworthy vehicle abroad.

But I agree, it is not legal to drive a UK-registered MH on the continent without a valid MOT. Which is what focused our minds about getting the van transported home, to avoid any complications.

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[Dorset Diver]

With the restriction that one cannot drive it from say, Portsmouth or Dover to say Carlisle.

One has to find a 'Local' MOT Centre. I don't mean just 'around the corner' from the Port of Entry but don't take the mick (other words are available)

I believe going to Banards Castle is legal .

 

[airwave]

AFAIK having no MoT has no effect on insurance and isn't a condition of being insured. The vehicle must be 'roadworthy' however.

So when did this change Tony ? , and that's a genuine , not argumentative question .

Not so long back , no MOT , automatically meant both insurance and road tax were both void , as the vehicle was considered unroadworthy ? . Now with the general condition for using a motor vehicle abroad being that , the vehicle should be fully legal in country of registration , that would automatically put you on the wrong side over there .

Over here that would result in instant seizure , points , fine , and in some extreme cases arrest , over there , knowing their liking of fines , a pretty huge one , possibly with imprisonment tagged on .

Yet several posters are quoting their insurers , though a bit cagey , generally acceptant , has something , changed , at some point ? . I don't keep up with legal events as much as i should , especially in this type of case , as i won't allow such an event to happen .


However we are in strange times , and though i would hope leeway would be given in view of that , i wouldn't count on it !!

So i'm genuinely asking the question , has something changed ? .

And i know about the provision for an mot test , where the present certificate has already expired .

 

[Emmit]

I believe going to Banards Castle is legal .

But pray you don't get stopped en route and asked for an eyesight test.

 

[tonyidle]

So when did this change Tony ? , and that's a genuine , not argumentative question .

Not so long back , no MOT , automatically meant both insurance and road tax were both void , as the vehicle was considered unroadworthy ? . Now with the general condition for using a motor vehicle abroad being that , the vehicle should be fully legal in country of registration , that would automatically put you on the wrong side over there .

Over here that would result in instant seizure , points , fine , and in some extreme cases arrest , over there , knowing their liking of fines , a pretty huge one , possibly with imprisonment tagged on .

Yet several posters are quoting their insurers , though a bit cagey , generally acceptant , has something , changed , at some point ? . I don't keep up with legal events as much as i should , especially in this type of case , as i won't allow such an event to happen .


However we are in strange times , and though i would hope leeway would be given in view of that , i wouldn't count on it !!

So i'm genuinely asking the question , has something changed ? .

And i know about the provision for an mot test , where the present certificate has already expired .

I think I might be wrong on this having done further research. A long time ago I read about a Court case in which this exact subject was argued. The decision was that the MoT was not an indication of road-worthiness and unless the vehicle had faults that could have contributed to the accident then the insurance was valid. The driver was paid out. But there is nothing to stop insurance companies since writing MoT requirement into their T&Cs and I suspect that has happened. Worth checking your Policy though.

 

[2657]

Regarding MOT and insurance, I have posted this before but will do it again, my policy states that no MOT invalidates everything but 3rd party cover leaving the vehicle legal for road use as far as insurance is concerned.

Others have said this is true for all but I have no knowledge of this, best to check the policy.

Of course driving a £50000 or more motorhome without comprehensive cover is a risky decision.

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[Emmit]

My understanding - which is possibly not correct - is that a minimum of third party cover will be maintained on a roadworthy vehicle abroad.

But I agree, it is not legal to drive a UK-registered MH on the continent without a valid MOT. Which is what focused our minds about getting the van transported home, to avoid any complications.

You are correct. The Insurance for the vehicle remains valid although the 'Comprehensive' reduces down to the minimum should an incident occur involving Third Parties. This is regardless of the validity of an MOT Certificate.

 

[airwave]

MoT was not an indication of road-worthiness

Yeah well , i'm not out to score points here mate , i genuinely thought i was behind the curve .

As for mot validity , it's being stated enough time on fun alone , so we should already know , the mot is only really valid for that one hour during the actual test . We could leave the test centre forecourt and a brake bulb literally blow , which would mean a failure during the test .

People do take the test as a roadworthiness certificate , but that's the one thing it ent . Just for that 1 hr it met the conditions . But it is a very strange verdict though , and i can see exactly where your coming from .

Thanks mate , thought i was missing something .

 

[Theonlysue]

Perhaps the op can read her policy and advise what it says regarding mot?
However, I believe that vehicle needs to be fully legal to drive abroad, and as such, requires an mot.

 

[gus-lopez]

Not so long back , no MOT , automatically meant both insurance and road tax were both void , as the vehicle was considered unroadworthy ?

No it didn't nor has it ever.The law has always been that the company must insure all 3rd party events regardless of what the insured does. They can then claim off you,You cannot legally have "no insurance". This is why I am always amazed that people plead guilty to it. As long as you took it out legally & without any lies you cannot have no insurance.

Over here that would result in instant seizure , points , fine ,

No it wouldn't. If you look at "reclaiming a seized vehicle " it isn't usually a seizable offence & if seized for another reason i.e no licence , if the mot expires then it must be collected on a trailer/recovery truck.

 

[Rapido925M]

Is there any concern that the vehicle, possibly having been in Spain for 6 months, should be re-registered as Spanish?

Gordon

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[2657]

Perhaps the op can read her policy and advise what it says regarding mot?
However, I believe that vehicle needs to be fully legal to drive abroad, and as such, requires an mot.

It definitely does but personally in circumstances like this I would risk using the vehicle without a valid MOT but not without the basic level of insurance required for legality.

 

[Nanniemate]

We totally missed an MOT a couple of years ago, only realised when I pulled out old certificate to check the date. It had expired 11 months earlier

I would say just drive it back to U.K. as soon as you can, I guess the only real issue would be a breakdown or accident

but if you advise your insurers of the situation they may cover the risk, if they don’t I guess only option would be recovery, maybe just to Bilbao though then bring it back yourself on the ferry

What about the cameras, no mot , no valid insurance, big red crushing machine could be introduced. There is a thread on here where one was shipped very recently

 

[2657]

What about the cameras, no mot , no valid insurance, big red crushing machine could be introduced. There is a thread on here where one was shipped very recently

Not having a valid MOT does not invalidate the 3rd party legal minimum requirement for use on the public road, this has been stated many times in this thread.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Is there any concern that the vehicle, possibly having been in Spain for 6 months, should be re-registered as Spanish?

Gordon

I would think that covid19 would be a good excuse

 

[Hilewaychile]

Unfortunately it won't be "legal" to drive it in Spain (and I presume France) with an expired MOT ☹

I was in exactly this position - even geographically. My camper was parked up in a garage in central Valencia. There is an MoT place in Dover, <10 mins from the docks. I had been there before with a van that I drove back from DK for a pal. Pre-booked, straight in, they bent over back'rds to get the brakes done - new MoT - FAB!

I booked in with my camper and made sure they sent me hard copy of the booking appointment, to show Pedro Plod or Gaston good'arme. In the event, I didn't need that.

If your camper is one of the big-huge types, best check access. It's in a tight, terraced road. But see below ...

In fact, I called DVLA and asked them if there was a mileage limit from landing in UK to the MoT test. I was told that as long as I was driving to a pre-booked test, it didn't matter where it was, so I re-booked at my local MoT stn at Minehead, 10 mins from home. This meant that if my van failed, I'd re-book, legally be able to drive home and return for repairs/retest rather than being stuck 170 miles from base.

All was well.

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[airwave]

No it didn't nor has it ever.The law has always been that the company must insure all 3rd party events regardless of what the insured does. They can then claim off you,You cannot legally have "no insurance". This is why I am always amazed that people plead guilty to it. As long as you took it out legally & without any lies you cannot have no insurance

Sorry , i'm gonna be honest here . I have noted other posters are also referring to a similar point , which if true , is something i didn't know . However , i have seen sufficient evidence on reality programs that suggest completely the opposite , and in the presence of any other solid information , i'm gonna stay quiet and reserve comment .

No it wouldn't. If you look at "reclaiming a seized vehicle " it isn't usually a seizable offence & if seized for another reason i.e no licence , if the mot expires then it must be collected on a trailer/recovery truck.

Yeah Point scored ! , i have actually noticed a change here recently , myself .

 

[Hilewaychile]

With the restriction that one cannot drive it from say, Portsmouth or Dover to say Carlisle.

One has to find a 'Local' MOT Centre. I don't mean just 'around the corner' from the Port of Entry but don't take the mick (other words are available)

Not true. I checked this myself with DVLA. I was pre-booked in to an excellent MoT place in Dover, having driven up from Valencia, Spain. It occured to me it would be mightly more convenient, in the event of a fail, if the MoT was done close to home. DVLA told me that as long as I was driving to a pre-booked test, it didn't matter where it was.

I got hard copy of the appointment, in case I was stopped in Spain, France or UK. I wasn't. Passed first time - in Minehead.

 

[Minxy]

My understanding - which is possibly not correct - is that a minimum of third party cover will be maintained on a roadworthy vehicle abroad.

But I agree, it is not legal to drive a UK-registered MH on the continent without a valid MOT. Which is what focused our minds about getting the van transported home, to avoid any complications.

Yes third party so long as the policy has been paid for but obviously that doesn't provide any cover at all for the MH itself.

 

[Hilewaychile]

My understanding - which is possibly not correct - is that a minimum of third party cover will be maintained on a roadworthy vehicle abroad.

But I agree, it is not legal to drive a UK-registered MH on the continent without a valid MOT. Which is what focused our minds about getting the van transported home, to avoid any complications.

It would have been OK to drive it back on the basis that you were only on the road in order to get the MoT done. With ferry booking and hard copy of the test appointment, you would have been OK. I did exactly this, from Valencia city.

A GB reg camper, heading north - Plod would know you're going home and let you get on with it without pulling you over.

 

[Emmit]

Not true. I checked this myself with DVLA. I was pre-booked in to an excellent MoT place in Dover, having driven up from Valencia, Spain. It occured to me it would be mightly more convenient, in the event of a fail, if the MoT was done close to home. DVLA told me that as long as I was driving to a pre-booked test, it didn't matter where it was.

I got hard copy of the appointment, in case I was stopped in Spain, France or UK. I wasn't. Passed first time - in Minehead.

Try quoting what you've been told to the Policeman at the side of the road and arguing it in Court.
No nationalities mentioned but peeps did that back in the day, travelling three hundred miles to a prearranged test before their hols. in Cornwall, cancelling the test when (if) they got here and then repeating the exercise at the end.
They've closed that loophole.

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[Minxy]

Sorry , i'm gonna be honest here . I have noted other posters are also referring to a similar point , which if true , is something i didn't know . However , i have seen sufficient evidence on reality programs that suggest completely the opposite , and in the presence of any other solid information , i'm gonna stay quiet and reserve comment .

I suspect the 'reality programmes' you refer to are ones where those caught have NO insurance policy in place whatsoever, ie they've never paid for one, so therefore they haven't even got third party cover. This is different to where someone has paid for insurance and the policy is still active so even if the MOT had expired the third party aspect would be in place making the vehicle legally insured.