Hi Guys,I ain't been on here for ages. Vans turned into a rust pit due to spending more time on the house and building motor bikes. ( I got a bit bored with vans after owning them for almost 30 years,tbh). Now. I understand,it dosnt need an mot anymore! (1972 type 2 bay). It's typically rusty around the windscreen,I.e,I I put my finger thought the hole,,the inner corner of the step underneath seems to have disappeared,usual bubbling here there and everywhere,but the engine is stock and only done around 4,500 miles since I rebuilt the top ends,pistons,new carb,e.t.c...it really has been neglected. But I can still get it insured for the road and drive it like it is? Seems daft,but is it true? I'm sure it's very safe to drive,it goes,it stops,all perfectly well,but it is a rust bucket. But it's still ok? Thanks.
Agreed , if you get stopped and faults are found you'll be prosecuted. If the rot isn't structural and everything else is good just sign the declaration and use it ... Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk
Like I said,I'm sure it's road worthy,just a rust bucket. Chassis seems ok,running gear is fine. It's always past its mot,but it's just been sat to rot.
Basically, treat it as if you are putting it In for an mot. Rusty bodywork is OK as long as its not a structural area. (Sharp edges need to be covered up.. so duct tape or filler if you can't be arsed to do it properly) If it's been standing for a while, service the brakes and check fuel lines, and indeed everything made of rubber.. Bear in mind, if it looks like a Marmitebox, you are likely to get pulled.. (if you have any police left over your way) Go online to tax it, and you will see a box to tick to declare it mot exempt. Tick it, insure it, drive it.
and if you have an accident be prepared for a FULL examination to ensure it WAS roadworthy.. And if your unlucky enough to kill someone in the process be prepared for the consequences.. Worst thing ever was MOT exemption Understand this, you still need to comply FULLY with construction and use regulations regardless of MOT status. and get this, Just because it passes an MOT doesnt mean it complies fully with con and use regs.. Sure on the test day your rust might be covered in tape, that will net you a mot but it wont necessarily comply with con and use regs .. It could come under regulation 100 con and use regulations which is a catch all ... Failing to maintain parts and accessories.. Sure you have tape over your rust, but that doesnt mean the part is maintained in good condition for the purpose of con and use .. Its a shame not to many folk really understand this, especially the desk jockeys that came up with the idea of dropping the MOT for "cough" Classic cars. Most coppers are thick as Marmite when it comes to road traffic stuff and choose to ignore the junk on the road until it either becomes a problem, is drawn to there attention by a third party, or involved in an accident at which point its potentially a full on roadside exam ( if they have any idea what they are looking at ) OR a seizure for the purpose of examination which can be carried out by what used to be called VOSA, who will test the vehicle to a higher standard especially if it has been involved in a collision of any kind .. Then be prepared for a notice on the vehicle preventing it from being driven untill its repaired to a roadworthy standard and further inspected to make sure it is, then add to that a licence shredding amount of points.. and rest assured if you were involved in an accident and your vehicle is found to be "unroadworthy" your on your own as far as any insurance cover is concerned ... I had issues with the taxi trade a few years ago where the operators would subit there cars for the annual roadworthiness test and an MOT at the same time . Now the testers would MOT the cars and pretty much do the additional taxi related checks over and above the standard MOT checks.. However they failed to understand that the council saftey check should come first.. and was a higher standard than the MOT . The MOT does not allow for examination under trim or hastily applied underseal filler or body sealer compounds, so they were passing taxis that were bodged death traps on the understanding that the MOT regs says they cant scrape or pry.. However, the council taxi test has no such restriction, so carry out the taxi test first, if you find any bodge, scrape it off and examine whats beneath it if you find evidence of further bodges dig deeper.. and if the car doesnt meet the standard, Fail it ... Then MOT it as requested and fail it on the areas uncovered in the taxi test that you otherwise would not have been able to inspect.. Its the same on a roadside check, its not an MOT it a con and use examination.. and its not subject to the same restrictions.. good luck..
All very well pontificating about construction and use scaremongering but it's been the case for years that a pre 1960 vehicle is mot exempt, it's just now been extended and rolls on.
Think it's an MoT fail if there's rust within about 8 inches of any suspension.....so that would mean front arches and step area would need to be solid to be considered roadworthy.
Don't worry,I'm a trained mechanic that can weld...it's just been sat for ages. The rust bubbles look worse than they are,and to be honest,I've been to shows in the past where some vans with mots look considerably worse than mine! To be honest,I think that mine would fail on a very minor issue of the brakes lights stay on,but I have a new master cylinder switch arriving next wee which I will fit after Xmas. The gorilla tape around the bottom of the windscreen is doing a great job of keeping the water out,and I have a whole new brak system,inc Goodrich hoses to fit to it.
