Towing untaxed vehicle

[shirleycoll]

I want to buy a car but is a non-runner.It has no tax,not sure if has SORN as it has been off the raod for a number of years.Can I tow it home using a tow rope?

[oldhenry]

NO- needs to be taxed and insured and MOT'd
You need to have it on a trailer, for everybody's safety , including yours.
After years the brakes will be shot, seals gone water in fluid etc.
Need some work- is the stering safe etc.lights working
you can hire a trailer, but need big motor to pull it

[Toureman]

Yes.

Just put a copy of the towing vehicles registration number on the back of the towed vehicle

[almcd007]

No.

If someone is in the car being towed to steer it it must be taxed and MOT'd as it is using the vehicle on the road. I also heard it's illegal to use ropes now - can't find any solid info on that at the mo though.

If you had to brake hard in an emergency - how would you know that the brakes would work on the car being towed? You could end up with it rear ending the car that's towing it. I think it's mad and for the small price of maybe hiring a trailor or buying a towing pole (About �20) - it could save a potentially nasty situation from being avoided.

With a rope the car behind helps to keep the rope tight by helping to brake for the one in front - I think it would be dangerous to tow a car such as the one you describe - you can buy a towing pole type thing that would keep the car a safe distance away. If you use an A-Frame you don't need anyone in the car being towed - so you can then recover it to where you need to go - but also put a sign in the rear "ON TOW"

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Tool-Shop/Tow-Pol es

[shirleycoll]

Thanks very much for all the answers.As you say I think a trailer or solid tow would be the best (and cheapest) way.Thanks again.

[zzz111]

Whilst not disagreeing that trailer is best bet - Actually a towed vehicle does NOT count as a vehicle under the RTA but rather a trailer, it is perfectly legal (although suicidal) for anyone over the age of 10 to be steering it without a licence. Because it is not a vehicle it does NOT require tax etc.

[Toureman]

Hi Again,

Sorry my earlier answer was completely wrong, It is illegal to tow an unlicensed vehicle on the road.

I checked at this site......

http://www.askthe.police.uk

This was their answer......."With regards to insurance, MOT and tax all are needed if any part of the vehicle touches the road. If the vehicle is on it's way to a pre-arranged MOT testing station or bringing it away from one then there is an exemption for tax and MOT but not insurance. If the car to be towed does not have any of these all four wheels must be off the road.

So a solid tow bar would also be illegal.

Hope you got it home OK.

[shirleycoll]

Thanks for looking into all that for me.I think its looking like the cost of trailer or transporter is making the purchase seem unlikely now. I do appreciate all your help though. Sorry if I have wasted anyones time but I have learnt something new.Thanks again.

[spaced]

it HAS to be put on a low loader and not towed

[Andy Boz]

I hired a trailer to fetch an old truck from Essex to Birmingham, for a reasonable �60, but needed a Transit to pull it. If you are thinking of a local tow, then why not approach a garage, or one of their recovery drivers, who would do it for a drink, on a flatbed. All depends on what the value of the car is, and how far.