Basically, my MOT ran out a few months ago and I've been in the process of trying to get the car to pass.

My tax ran out at the start of this month, but my plan is to have the car MOT'd by the end of this month. Obviously I can't renew my tax without a valid MOT, do I need to get it SORN'd until I get my MOT (and therefore tax) renewed?

My only concern with SORNing now is, am I actually allowed to drive the car to it's (pre-booked) MOT test if it has been declared as 'off-the-road'? Do the DVLA have to be notified if the car is SORN but it's being driven to a test centre?

Or would I just leave the car SORN'd until it actually passes an MOT, when I then declare it back on the road and buy new tax for it?

Peronsally I don't see the point in SORNing it for less than a month, but if that is the only legal option then it will have to be done.

Kind of a confusing one for me, hope someone can shed some light on it

Edited 4 February, 201016 yr by CWA

afaik, the only circumstance in which you're allowed to drive a car with no tax (I'm guessing sorn would be classed as that) or MOT is to a pre-booked MOT test.

I havnt driven with no tax before, but i drove my car for a whole morning without an MOT (i had one prebooked for midday) and had no hassle off the cops. at one point i had a cop car with ANPR behind me and he didnt stop me (surely it would have come up saying i had no MOT?)

chances are, you wouldnt even be noticed on the way to the test centre (provided its local)

but dont take my word for it

Yes you need to Sorn it if it has no Tax.

The car can either be in 2 states, Taxed or Sorned. If its neither then you can get a fine. Its quick and easy to do on-line. and when it passes the MOT go down to the post office with your MOT and insurance and V5 and then Tax it.

OK cheers chaps, will be SORNing it now

yeah jus sorn it mate and once u got an mot booked u can drive it to the test centre as u are booked in if u get stop jus explain to them its booked in they will check as i got stopped the other week in my vectra and i told them they checked and it was fine and i carry on thern once it pasees jus get you are tax either from post office or online simples