Everything You Need To Know If Your Car Fails Its MOT
We know it can be disappointing and stressful when your car fails its annual MOT, however, it is something that over one-third of drivers experience each year when they take their car for its annual test. We understand this isn’t an ideal situation to find yourself in, and we feel it is important to understand what your options are should your car fail its MOT. With our advice, we aim to get you on the road again as soon as possible.
Here will outline what happens if your car does not pass, what to expect from a retest and what measures you can take should you want to appeal the decision.
Your Car Has Failed. What is Next?
If you find yourself with a car that has failed its MOT, we will issue you with a VT30, this is the Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate. This form will have the vehicle details on it, the test number and the reasons why the vehicle has failed to pass. You will need to keep hold of this, as you will need to present this form when you submit your vehicle for a retest or lodge an appeal.
You must remember that new MOT legislation (20 May 2018) you cannot drive your vehicle if it has dangerous faults. If you use a vehicle that has dangerous faults on it, you could be fined up to £2500, be banned from driving and get points on your licence.
Book a Retest
Before you can have your car retested, you will need to have the reasons for failure addressed and resolved. There are a couple of different options when it comes to a vehicle retest:
Leave it to be fixed: you can leave your vehicle at the approved test centre to have the issues fixed if repairs are carried out within 10 working days, a partial retest can be completed, this is where only the issues listed on the VT30 will be retested.
Bring it back within 10 working days: you can, of course, take your vehicle elsewhere to have the repairs carried out, and a partial retest can be completed as long as the vehicle is returned to the initial test centre within 10 working days.
After 10 working days: should you return your vehicle to the initial test centre after 10 working days, a full MOT will be charged for.
Appeal a Failed MOT
If you think that your car has unfairly failed its MOT test, you can, of course, appeal the decision. Although we recommend discussing the reasons for the failure of the test centre first. After a conversation with the test centre, if you feel that the decision is wrong, there are steps you can take to appeal the decision. Do not carry out any repairs or modifications to the vehicle through while you are waiting, as this can result in the appeal process been cancelled.
You must fill out Complain about an MOT form and send it the DVSA within 14 days of the original test date. An alternative appointment to test your vehicle will be arranged within 5 days, you will have to pay the full fee again however you will be issued with either a full or partial refund should your appeal be successful.
Contact Vantage Auto Services For Your MOT Retest
If your vehicle is due an annual test be sure to speak to the expert mechanics at Vantage Auto Services. Should your vehicle fail the test, we will give you the appropriate advice to fix any issues that may have arose.
We can also complete vehicle servicing, repairs, and fit new tyres should you require these, find out more about the services we provide and be sure to contact our team today.