My car's MOT has expired but I can't get it tested because of the State of Alarm. What should I do?

The coronavirus is causing widespread damage on both the social and economic fronts and, above all, to our health. Its rapid spread has led the Spanish Government to declare a state of alarm, which is creating considerable confusion among citizens about certain circumstances. Although we already know in which situations we may leave home, many doubts still linger in our minds due to this unusual context we are living through. And so, what happens if we have to take our vehicle to the MOT test during the state of alarm? Let’s find out.

It is true that we may only leave our homes for force majeure reasons, such as going to the supermarket for food, carrying out work that cannot be done from home, going to medical centres or banks, and caring for children, the elderly and dependent persons. However, in many cases we will have to rely on the car to carry out these activities, but what if we have not yet had the MOT test?

For now, some Autonomous Communities, such as Andalusia, Asturias, the Balearic Islands and Valencia, have ordered the closure of MOT test centres due to the gathering of people there, which could help spread the virus. Nevertheless, the Royal Decree has not included MOT test centres even though they are not considered essential premises.

What does this mean? That, even though the state of alarm, which will initially remain in force for 15 days, is in effect, MOT centres will not be closed in all regions, even though their workers and visitors are exposed to contracting COVID-19. However, these inspection centres are not included in the list of essential establishments, so opening them could be sanctioned.

But how does this affect those who had an appointment during March or whose car’s MOT has expired? Given that these are establishments whose activity should be postponed until the state of alarm is lifted, and that going to them would be considered illegal activity during this period, the penalties arising from not having a valid MOT would be considered unlawful.

In other words: although the Government has not made any statement regarding these technical inspection centres, since their activity could not be carried out under the state of alarm, citizens should not be penalised for carrying out permitted activities with their vehicles during the state of alarm despite not having a valid MOT, but they would be penalised for attempting to go to those centres, as they are not considered essential.