Quote:
Originally Posted by Panther140
I didn't know that about the UK crushing cars due to MOT testing. We would openly revolt if a politician came here and tried that
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If a car fails its MOT the government doesn't just take it away and crush it.
All vehicles in the UK are subject to testing on an annual basis. The MOT was introduced in 1960, and all cars of 3 years of age, or older, are tested.
If a car is not deemed roadworthy the owner has several options. He/she can have it repaired, repair it themselves, sell it for spares, break it for spares themselves or scrap it. Ultimately, if it is scrapped then a large proportion of the vehicle will go through the crusher.
If the owner decides just to drive the unroadworth vehicle anyway, their insurance company will deem their insurance void. It is an offence to drive a vehicle on UK roads without insurance with a fixed penalty of £300 (go to court and it could be increased to £5000), and 6 penalty points (12 on a licence and you are immediately banned from driving). If you are stopped with no insurance, the car is immediately impounded and costs of recovery are steep (£150 + £20/ day). If it is not released within 14 days (must get insurance to get released) the vehicle is disposed of.
Repairs can be carried out using OEM parts, pattern parts or used but serviceable parts. The vehicle is then resubmitted for testing, and if deemed roadworthy, gets a current MOT certificate.
Eventually, most vehicles reach a point where it is no longer viable to repair them, usually because of extremely expensive repairs to corroded bodywork.
And then the crusher gets fed!