Non Fault Accident but I genuinely forgot my MOT ran out !!!

[Neil7210]

Hi All,

Wondering if anyone can shed some light or help in my situation

I had an accident over the weekend, god forbid no one was hurt.

I was driving straight along a main road a a driver came from a side road on the left and hit me.

By looking at it the car axle is damaged or wishbone damaged etc.

The driver admits that its their fault because they came from the side road and hit me while i was travelling straight.

Now i contacted my insurance company and everything was ok and they said they will recover and everything where possible.

I came home today and to get all paper work together just in case they ask for it only to find out my MOT had expired last October '11.

I brought my car last year April '11 and never thought i needed to renew it until I hit April '12 and totally and genuinely forget.

My insurance company has not asked for it yet as they still need to asses the damage and most likely it will be a write off.

What shall i do when they ask for it or if they ever would ask for it.

I am totally worried and never thought i would forget such thing and really honest mistake.

Would insurance company void the claim although the accident is not my fault?

Please tell me from your past experiences etc. i'm really worried I wont get a penny or else

I have googled it and many have different answers. I know its against the law but my car was 100% road worthy as it was brought from cargiant in April '11 with a 101 point inspection. It has been serviced and never had any faults.

Thanks much appreciated

[factor-fiction]

Check your insurance policy wording. However I don't think it invalidates your insurance, although I only gathered that from previous threads on AB

[ummmm]

I've dealt with a few accidents and have never been asked for an MOT.

Like Factor says....no MOT doesn't invalidate your insurance.

[k8bailey]

My OH was with Direct line last year when he was hit by a car, writting off his vehicle. When the police turned up they informed OH that his MOT was out by 2 months (he had no idea) Much to our surpise the insurance co. weren't at all bothered and settled his claim within 10 days! The police didnt prosecute either.

[firewatch]

As with K8, we had a car crash in 09 car mot had run out in Jan, honestly dint realise and police didnt charge as it was a genuine mistake (i had to emergency tax the car online due a family funeral so didnt need or bother looking for the mot). Insurance company never asked so we kept schtum, all well in the end.

[d9f1c7]

Contrary to popular myth lack of MOT does not invalidate your insurance, however the company that pays you out will almost certainly adjust their payout downwards. It shouldn't effect it too much if it's a small amount of damage but if they write it off they will certainly adjust for a car with no MOT. Your own company will probably not want to see the MOT but the co that has to pay out will.

[Gizmonster]

Well unless things have changed since my experience of this (which I doubt), d9f1c7 is correct in saying that you'll prob get a lesser payment.
A few years ago (15 ish ??), my car was parked outside on the street when it was crashed into by a drunk driver - so I was obviously not at fault.
My car was written off and as such, the insurance company wanted all the documents for it, including the MOT.
Mine, like yours, was a complete accident insofar as I'd forgotten to renew the MOT. They'd already made me an offer. When I told them what had happened, they simply adjusted the offer so that it represented the value of my car without an MOT.

[chas2008]

insurance companies are more interested in customer retention than throwing claims out, it use to be if it no tax or MOt it shouldnt be on the road and as such wouldnt have had the accident which seems pretty logical to me..
Seems to mean nothing anymore i have even seen claims paid out for with vehicles with bald tyres !

[AlBags]

You'll probably get away with it.
Good job cops not about : )

Look up all servicing and sale receipts/records so you can demonstrate that car was kept in good order (should you need to)

[Neil7210]

Thanks for responses guys..

The car is at the garage being inspected and checked to see if its an economical repair.

I would have been happy if police did stop me and told me I have no MOT and paid the fine (£60) cause how else was I meant to know??? you dont get reminders like road tax???

I'll keep you posted of the out come... so stressful and worrying...

Thanks once again for the response's.

[searob]

Hi Neil. Do you have an update as to how it went? I'm in a similar situation!

[Neil7210]

Hi Searob \ All,

An update.

I have just recently had my insurance company come back to me, and guess what, no one complained or even asked about the MOT. I’m sure they probably already know as insurance companies have access to vosa.

I had my claimed paid out to me in full and all sorted as non-fault.

I would recommend you just go ahead with the claim and let the insurance come to you if they do require anything.

It may be pot luck, but just don’t stress about it cause what’s done is done and can’t change anything.

I’m sure the insurance company will pay you out Searob. Just make sure you act as if you know nothing about MOT. They may just skip that bit as it’s a non-fault. Your insurance wouldn’t careless cause it’s not coming out of their pocket.

Hope this helps and thanks for your Help