Repatriating a UK registered van with no MOT

[Lizbiebrowne]

There's a motorhome I'm interested in buying in Portugal. It's UK registered with an expired MOT and no road tax. How would I get it back to the UK? I understand that once I'm in the UK I can legally drive it untaxed and without a MOT to a testing station for a pre-booked appointment but can it be legally driven to Santander or Bilboa for the ferry home?

 

[Northernraider]

Yes, there are some rot boxes on the roads here. However, whilst there are no MOTs, vehicles have to be roadworthy. Now and again someone will get caught and they get sent to the testing station where they have to be examined.

The UK police are normally on the lookout for suspect IOM vehicles. However, given that you hardly ever see a police car on the motorway these days it rare that they get stopped.

People are very relaxed about the condition of their vehicles. Traa dy looar applies.

Back to the OP though. I reckon I agre with Northernraider . I would insure the van and drive it to Santander. At the end of the day the Portuguese and Spanish police have no interest in UK tax or MOTs so long as the van is roadworthy and insured. Like I said MOT in Plymouth. Off you go..

Yep obviously if the motorhome in Portugal is an auld gurd then it's advisable to leave well alone.


But if its in good condition and roadworthy then an mot certificate is with all due respect only a reflection of a vehicles condition at that given time and really means sod all bar a legal cover.

Drive sensibly, don't give a reason to be stopped , take a bit extra care if you must and make sure everything works and in good order and be on your merry way.


I returned to UK in April, my scooters Mot expired in February and I'd completely forgot to tax it before I left UK last September.

But the motorhome was motd and taxed

Memory is getting bad as I get older

That reminds me I sold scooter the other week and I've forgot to cancel the insurance.

 

[L' Hobo]

So neither vehicle would be insured ? There are many vehicles looking for return.loads
Have a look at specialist transporters

Why would both vehicles not be insured if they were insured separately?
As you say, many vehicles are looking for 'return loads' and in my, self employed trucking days, I didn't care what I had on the back of my Taut-Liner as long as it paid. Why does it have to be 'specialist Transport'?

 

[Nanniemate]

Why would both vehicles not be insured if they were insured separately?
As you say, many vehicles are looking for 'return loads' and in my, self employed trucking days, I didn't care what I had on the back of my Taut-Liner as long as it paid. Why does it have to be 'specialist Transport'?

There is a difference on a lowloader and being towed by an rv which was your suggestion post #12
It's a question not a statement

 

[stewartwebr]

Getting the insurance would not be an issue given it is already UK registered. However, in the unfortunate event of a claim you would probably find your cover to be invalid as every insurer I have every used has an exception clause which along with "must have a valid license to drive" also has "must have a valid MoT" As others have said you would need to low load it to the UK or ask the seller to get it to the port for you.

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[stewartwebr]

Back to the OP though. I reckon I agre with Northernraider . I would insure the van and drive it to Santander. At the end of the day the Portuguese and Spanish police have no interest in UK tax or MOTs so long as the van is roadworthy and insured. Like I said MOT in Plymouth. Off you go..

Appreciate the risk is low. However, in the event of a serious accident you would find you have no insurance (policy would require valid MoT) which could ruin you financially. Nobody takes out insurance expecting to use it, but things happen unfortunately.
Guess you need to evaluate the risk. I drove my new van back from the factory to the tunnel on 3rd Party cover as I had very little choice and that was scary but a calculated risk as I had only two choices, drive it or truck it. Trucking was even more complicated given the height of the van (3.8m) so once on a truck bridges etc. become an issue. I chose to drive it but in the event of an accident I was on the right side of the law.
Unfortunately, that would not be the case if the OP has no MOT.

 

[Barclaybasher]

A couple of years ago I tried to reinsure my van in France with a different Ins Co - no can do, vehicle has to be in the UK. I'd get the seller to drive the van and me to Santander, insure it there and then on the phone for day of arrival in England and book the MOT at the same time. If the owner and you are sure the vehicle is roadworthy it won't be a problem. Or as others have ship it back to UK at owners expense.

 

[pampam]

How do people buy un mot’d vehicles then ? Do they always have to be low loaded, if in uk, could you not enquire with any insurance broker? And then book in for an mot?
good luck

 

[Barclaybasher]

How do people buy un mot’d vehicles then ? Do they always have to be low loaded, if in uk, could you not enquire with any insurance broker? And then book in for an mot?
good luck

As Tam said the MOT gives the condition only at the time of test. Only if the vehicle was defective at the time of any claim would the Ins Co try and not pay out for your own damage - third party still covered.
I've never seen asked if the vehicle is MOT'd when insuring - but they can easily check on DVLA....
A couple of years ago I insured a second car "on my driveway". The insurer said "Your drive isn't wide enough!". He was checking my house on Google Earth. I explained it was an old view and I could send him a pic as it is now......

 

[stewartwebr]

As Tam said the MOT gives the condition only at the time of test. Only if the vehicle was defective at the time of any claim would the Ins Co try and not pay out for your own damage - third party still covered.
I've never seen asked if the vehicle is MOT'd when insuring - but they can easily check on DVLA....
A couple of years ago I insured a second car "on my driveway". The insurer said "Your drive isn't wide enough!". He was checking my house on Google Earth. I explained it was an old view and I could send him a pic as it is now......

I think most if not all motoring policies have the exemption to cover set to ensure you have an appropriate license to drive the vehicle and the vehicle has a current MOT.

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[Barclaybasher]

I think most if not all motoring policies have the exemption to cover set to ensure you have an appropriate license to drive the vehicle and the vehicle has a current MOT.

I have a classic car "Historic Vehicle" - no tax or MOT required - it's insured

 

[stewartwebr]

I have a classic car "Historic Vehicle" - no tax or MOT required - it's insured

We can all get pedantic and report exceptions to almost every discussion. "Historic Vehicle" insurance is not relevant to the topic we are discussing. The point of conversation relates to a motorhome which has no MoT and my comment around insurance cover is pertinent to that particular discussion.

 

[sallylillian]

One important point has been missed as I trawl through this list. The Spanish police now have online access to the DVLA records as part of the recent (March 23) agreement to exchange license's, they can now check the legal status of all UK registered vehicles and drivers, and to drive a UK vehicle in Spain you have to comply with UK road traffic law, so need a valid MOT, Tax and insurance which as has been mentioned without the 2 former you dont have the latter. You cannot be classed as driving straight to your MOT reservation when you leave southern Spain or Portugal by any stretch of the imagination. And the Police in Spain have guns!

 

[Maridsrapido]

There's a motorhome I'm interested in buying in Portugal. It's UK registered with an expired MOT and no road tax. How would I get it back to the UK? I understand that once I'm in the UK I can legally drive it untaxed and without a MOT to a testing station for a pre-booked appointment but can it be legally driven to Santander or Bilboa for the ferry home?

I would give seller deposit and pay balance when he delivers it to Bilbao...book MOT close to arrival port...talk to your existing insurance company and get temporary cover to drive home 3rd party insurance, which you should have if you have fully comp on UK vehicle...
.

 

[Clive Bishop]

Could you get it towed to the ferry by some kind Funster with a large RV?

Sorry you can’t tow a vehicle in Spain it has to be moved by a Grua.

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[chaser]

It's all been said now but to get away from all the different things about tax and stuff, around here there are a lot of low loaders taking jcb's to Europe, everyday, do they all have return loads?
I don't know but it must be worth looking into.

 

[Silver-Fox]

They take unkindly to peeps driving past???? how many MOT stations to circumvent the spirit of Legislation.

Not wishing to start an argument just looking for clarification.

When did they change the law regarding where you had to book an mot ie within a certain distance.

My understanding is still I could drive from Scotland to Cornwall for a pre booked mot.

I understand said vehicle has to be roadworthy and insured.

The spirit of the law and actual law don’t always make good bed fellows

 

[L' Hobo]

As Tam said the MOT gives the condition only at the time of test. Only if the vehicle was defective at the time of any claim would the Ins Co try and not pay out for your own damage - third party still covered.
I've never seen asked if the vehicle is MOT'd when insuring - but they can easily check on DVLA....
A couple of years ago I insured a second car "on my driveway". The insurer said "Your drive isn't wide enough!". He was checking my house on Google Earth. I explained it was an old view and I could send him a pic as it is now......

Trusting Google Earth is a bit dodgy as they have, where I live, in entirely the wrong place. (I have not notified them as it suits me and all of my friends know where to find me.

 

[Silver-Fox]

I would still get it slung on the back of a truck and delivered to my chosen destination.

Not worth the hassle and possible grief driving it back to be honest.

 

[sallylillian]

Not wishing to start an argument just looking for clarification.

When did they change the law regarding where you had to book an mot ie within a certain distance.

My understanding is still I could drive from Scotland to Cornwall for a pre booked mot.

I understand said vehicle has to be roadworthy and insured.

The spirit of the law and actual law don’t always make good bed fellows

The phrase I believe is "straight to the garage or MOT testing station". Whilst your comment is more generic, this thread is a specific situation and as such driving 100's of miles through Europe, catching a ferry, and then driving to a UK garage, with a likely one or two night stop over en route, could hardly be classed as "straight to". I think the average Spanish policeman would miss the nuance of your argument. It will certainly be lost in translation.

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[L' Hobo]

Sorry you can’t tow a vehicle in Spain it has to be moved by a Grua.

Genuine question as I've never towed a 'Toad' but I thought I had seen quite a number in Spain? Are they all supposed to un-hitch?
As chaser said, far better to give a returning Low-Loader driver a 'return load'.

 

[Bertilak]

Just a thought, but do they have MOT stations in Gibraltar? If a Portuguese transporter or trade plate owner would take it to the border...

 

[Nanniemate]

Been reading this and often the risk of using the vehicle is mentioned as low
What about the risk to 3rd parties if an uninsured vehicle is involved in an accident and causes serious damage/injury to an innocent road user
Can the uninsured person be liable and the innocent persons insurance company go after them for costs?
When a family member was involved in an accident the airlift home cost alone was the cost of a average 3 bed detached house, let alone the hospital bills and all the out of pocket expenses
I wonder what the thoughts are of an uninsured person writting off a MH.or causing harm to a family member

 

[L' Hobo]

There is a difference on a lowloader and being towed by an rv which was your suggestion post #12
It's a question not a statement

When I was an Owner Driver, in my Tautliner trailer, I often carried the Escort van etc. after I had stripped back the trailer to deliver an extra WIDE LOAD. As long as the load was below 16.6" (5m) which is the minimum height of a Highway bridge (unless signed) and paid well, it didn't really matter to me.
PS (I was jesting (I think?) about the Funster's RV. although in my younger days I would have considered it. )

 

[Pugsy]

Is this the same van that was advertised on here ?? A hymer?
and at the right price, including a deduction for the move on a low loader would be a good buy .

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[L' Hobo]

We don't have MOTs in the Isle of Man but it's legal to drive a Manx registered vehicle in the UK. However it's an offence to drive a UK registered vehicle in the Isle of Man if it is not taxed and does not have an MOT.

That's an interesting one, because, I was under the impression that, not only does the vehicle have to be legal in it's country of origin but also in the country it is travelling in! (Angle Mort stickers when driving in France for example)

 

[Neil n Pat]

Never underestimate the Guardia Civil. If you get stopped they will impound your vehicle for weeks if not months then fine you whilst also charging for the storage. Then you will have to get it on a trailer to get it to the ferry port. A friend of mine experienced this at Malaga airport.
Three options then,
Take the risk and drive it. If your in an accident generally speaking the Guardia Civil will bang you up for two weeks before you even see anyone let alone a abogado (lawyer) And if you share a cell with a macho guy with special leanings you may come out a different person.
Have it trailered to the port then straight to the MOT station providing you have insurance
Or forget about it and buy in UK sleeping well with no stress.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

 

[Riverbankannie]

I would give seller deposit and pay balance when he delivers it to Bilbao...book MOT close to arrival port...talk to your existing insurance company and get temporary cover to drive home 3rd party insurance, which you should have if you have fully comp on UK vehicle...
.

This is the best solution.

 

[Nanniemate]

Never underestimate the Guardia Civil. If you get stopped they will impound your vehicle for weeks if not months then fine you whilst also charging for the storage. Then you will have to get it on a trailer to get it to the ferry port. A friend of mine experienced this at Malaga airport.
Three options then,
Take the risk and drive it. If your in an accident generally speaking the Guardia Civil will bang you up for two weeks before you even see anyone let alone a abogado (lawyer) And if you share a cell with a macho guy with special leanings you may come out a different person.
Have it trailered to the port then straight to the MOT station providing you have insurance
Or forget about it and buy in UK sleeping well with no stress.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

I believe many years ago in parts of Spain you had to.pay your B&B bill before you would be released from custody
This is 40 year old information but was wondering if this is still the case and no it was not me D&D And if I remember correctly it was on Costa brava
I know how misleading out of date info can be but it was an event that was amusing at the time

 

[Emmit]

Not wishing to start an argument just looking for clarification.

When did they change the law regarding where you had to book an mot ie within a certain distance.

My understanding is still I could drive from Scotland to Cornwall for a pre booked mot.

I understand said vehicle has to be roadworthy and insured.

The spirit of the law and actual law don’t always make good bed fellows

I don't think the Law has changed.
VOSA and the Police can and will impound the vehicle to undergo examination and that in itself is enough to ruin the drivers hour? day? week? .
Try explaining that to the other passengers.

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[tonyysue]

In a word. No.

If you drive a UK Reg. vehicle abroad it has to be legal in the UK.
IE. It needs an MOT, Insurance, and be driven by a Brit who is qualified to drive a vehicle of that class. IE C1 licence if over 3.5t etc.

Further, and in no way endorsing any kind of illegal behaviour, if that van lands on the UK shore, it better be booked for an MOT close to where you come ashore. The Authorities may not give a monkeys about how you got to the UK port but they'll take a dim view of you driving a vehicle any distance from the Port.
In addition you will have to tell a few porkies to get Insurance while you are physically out of the country in advance of your arrival.

Re your last, there are several companies in Spain who will insure your UK registered vehicle against an address in Spain and the insurance will show on the UK Motor Insurance Database. You can get a Spanish MOT on a foreign registered vehicle by having it done against the Chassis Number. Some sleight of hand, I agree but it would get you back to the UK!