Through bad planning and bad weather I arrived at Oldham test station 1/2 hour late and was refused a test

1 1/2 hour drive in the pi55ing rain to get there, car needs a bilge pump (wish I'd taken my wallet out of my pocket).
Arrived there at 8:30 soaked, creating a small pool of water at reception and was told by the nice lady that it wouldn't be possible to test the car as I was late, didn't really argue, too cold. Was also informed that I owe them £50 too for not making it in time.

I've been given another date ... 6 weeks! At least it gives me time to get the car finished properly as I've not had the weather to work on it (no garage).

Oh, did I mention that although I got soaked and it didn't get tested, the drive there was excellent, never has so much fun

My brother lead the way there in his Mondeo and drove the locost back home, he too got soaked to the bone but enjoyed every second of it

Better luck next time eh?

No luck dood.. I've been following your progress on ur webby for ages and was awaiting ur result... Better luck next time.

Bad luck - the weather must have been bad to take that long to get from Bradford to Oldham. Which way did you go - M62 or the "fun" roads?

Bad luck

At least you had a drive in the car

Cheers

Mark

unluck fella, but its fun to drive them, innit!

think of it like this, you could spend £50 in many other ways and have a lot less fun!

I went the fun route, nice drive but I'm considering the quick route next time.

At least now I can get the car finished

You're right Joel, £50 isn't that bad and it would cost the same for a retest which I'm sure I'd get anyway.

Are you allowed to drive to the SVA then!

What about the initial MOT?

TT

My car is insured on the VIN number and you are allowed to drive to the SVA centre for a pre-booked inspection, same applies for the MOT.

If you meant, do you need an MOT to drive to the SVA centre then I believe not

You can drive to the SVA test with no plates on as long as the vehicle has third party insurance.
Not sure about the MOT but you'd be better to get it done first anyhow to get lights & brakes & emmission checked.

You don't need an MOT at all. Had a long chat with VOSA/DVLA about this and they agreed in the end that a car needs an MOT 3 years after it is first registered.

The example holds true when say Ford build a car, store it for a few months before sending to the showroom, there it sits for a couple of weeks. Someone then buys a 4 month old car, gets it registered then needs to get it MOT'd 3 years later NOT 2years and 8 months later.

You gotta love the DVLA

I have it in black and white on headed paper that I do need an MOT in order to register my car.

A suggestion for wet weather driving - your local motorbike clothing stores will sell you for about £30 a completely water and wind proof one piece over-suit. I wore one back in the p*ssing rain from some crappy show up-north, and got home completely bone dry and warm, well worth the money.

I'm not too bothered about getting wet, on the day it was warmish anyway but I don't fancy it when it's cold

My brother pointed out to me that when I went into reception I wiped my feet and then dripped all over the place anyway.

Well I just registered my Avon at Beverly a couple of weeks ago without an MOT!