Covid-19 MOT Extension - warning

[MrGrumpy]

My mk6 Tmax is due its first MOT in a couple of weeks, but there is still the automatic 6 month extension due to the Virus. However, I thought I'd chat about it to my friendly local garage. I was shocked to hear that if you don't get an MOT and rely on the extension, your insurance is likely to be limited to 3rd party only. This hasn't been widely publicised and my garage only found out about it themselves through friends at a car garage who had an accident and found that they weren't fully covered. Whether its all or some insurance companies I don't know. So the moral is check, but probably best to get your MOTs done as normal.

[Data]

I simply don't believe it. You pay for fully comp insurance and your insurer cannot alter that unless your vehicle is not road worthy. The MOT extension doesn't affect your insurance in any way as long as your vehicle is fully roadworthy. And that's the key, it must be in it's normal full road worthy condition.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk ... 17989.aspx

[MrGrumpy]

It does sound extraordinary. I only had a brief conversation, and the reasoning was something along the lines of how do you prove that you've kept your vehicle in roadworthy condition, if it hasn't got an MOT?? Yes, its legal, but is it roadworthy?

You must remember that we ARE talking about the UK insurance industry here, who are always eager to take advantage of any grey areas. And the guy I spoke to seemed to know of someone who had fallen foul of this.

I could ring my insurance company, though how easy it would be to get through in these times I don't know, and anyway, I've booked my MOT for Friday. I guess if anyone is running with an MOT extension, it might be worth checking with their insurance company - better safe than sorry!

[capitano]

I contacted both of mine on their chat facility.

Both said it was utter bollocks*.

* Paraphrasing for effect

[mottza]

I don't think that is true. Insurance companies would not have a leg to stand on.

[MrGrumpy]

I don't think that is true. Insurance companies would not have a leg to stand on.

Wouldn't stop 'em trying! Hopefully it isn't true. Maybe it applies in some very specific circumstances or policies. The case that was mentioned to me might have been a company policy, which might be different to a personal policy - dunno!

[capitano]

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) view:-

"In this unprecedented situation, insurers will not penalise you if you can't get an MOT. Safety is paramount so check your brakes, tyres and lights before driving.”

This mirrors what both Devitt and Swinton told me today.

[Ralph]

Car insurers have been in touch and asked me if I would like a discount due to low
milage in lockdown, no mention of MOT.