MOT requirements

[kjames]

Hi gents,

I'm after a quickish answer if possible.

I've just bought a car from a dealer. The cars got 4 months MOT left. Yesterday we agreed they'd put a new MOT on the car (and i paid a deposit).

today, they are saying its not possible to put a new MOT on a car until just before the old one expires.

Im assuming this is BS.... and that they've tried to MOT it and its failed and they're now trying to pull a fast one.

Can anyone confirm its not possible to MOT a car until the old one expires.

thanks

Karl

[kimwy66]

As you can apply for a vehicle licence up to four months prior to it expiring, I would have thought it likely you could also have it examined up to 4 months before the MOT expiration. Perhaps it is just over 4 months?

Pulling a fast one, entirely possible though, I wouldn't trust a HK used car saleman to give me the correct time, let a lone a straight answer on a car. Maybe suggest they pay for a AA inspection instead. Or ask a reliable service garage that speaks English if it can have an MOT.

[Skyhook]

The MOT usually coincides with the vehicle license ie is valid for 12 months. So, in the above case either the car was issued an MOT 8 months ago with a remainder of 4 months left till it needs to be renewed, or the MOT was done 4 months ago and is valid for two more road tax renewals ( adding up to 12 months in total). It really depends if the car had 12 months license at the time the MOT was done prior to that, or if it was done recently and only a block of 4 months road tax was paid with the ability to do two more blocks of 4 months, on that MOT.

As to Kimwy66's view of used car dealers, like everything, not all are bent and dishonest, there are a few out there that run an honest biz, who are quite passionate about what they do, within the used car trade of Hong Kong. ie Autoerotica and Sai Kung Motors, both spring to mind as being fair dinkum about what they're doing, both owned and run by car enthusiast gweilo's...........

[kjames]

Thanks for the replies.

The dealer has agreed to put 12 months MOT on it, in 4 months time..... whether that happens we'll have to see.

The car is in great condition and drives really well.... but has the standard Hong kong 70,000km's on the clock.

[wtbhotia]

Thanks for the replies.

The dealer has agreed to put 12 months MOT on it, in 4 months time..... whether that happens we'll have to see.

The car is in great condition and drives really well.... but has the standard Hong kong 70,000km's on the clock.

One of the bad things is that once you paid for the car and the car is in your hands, regardless what was agreed before, if you try to get them to do something for your car afterwards they always come up with excuses this and that blah blah to try not doing it for you. have experienced this in the past

So hope you do get the MOT later on done for you

[Skyhook]

One of the bad things is that once you paid for the car and the car is in your hands, regardless what was agreed before, if you try to get them to do something for your car afterwards they always come up with excuses this and that blah blah to try not doing it for you. have experienced this in the past

So hope you do get the MOT later on done for you

A mate of mine bought a W211 E320 Elegance sedan from Sai Kung motors back in early October, at the time of sale the ecu that holds the memory for the drivers side seat position, sunroof and steering wheel position was intermittently acting up, so they said they would order in a new replacement. Part was ordered and arrived 4 weeks later, they called my mate and he dropped the car off and they replaced it. in the mean time another fault developed during that 4 week period and they ended up replacing the SBC ( ABS pump ) and fitted a brand new battery. A total cost to the dealership of $13,500hkd.

So, I agree that some dealers will run away from their responsibilities because they're dishonest cowards, but not all are the same. That dealer from what I know, lost money on that car to keep a customer happy, who incidentally, has given them 3 referrals since that, all leading to sales, so the dealer got the opportunity to recoup their loss out of the other sales. which was quite fair in the end. Everybody was happy.

That's how business should be run, but agree, it is a big exception to the local cultural rule.

[rakedavids]

The certificate of roadworthiness (only needed to renew license for cars older than 7 yrs) is only valid for 3 months after date of issue.
You can renew your license within 4 months from the expiry date of the existing license.

Make sure you not only get the roadworthiness certificate but also get a proper check by your own mechanic. For the former, only key functions are tested whereas for the latter they can check anything and everything you want to ensure you are not being ripped.

[Skyhook]

The certificate of roadworthiness (only needed to renew license for cars older than 7 yrs) is only valid for 3 months after date of issue.
You can renew your license within 4 months from the expiry date of the existing license.

Make sure you not only get the roadworthiness certificate but also get a proper check by your own mechanic. For the former, only key functions are tested whereas for the latter they can check anything and everything you want to ensure you are not being ripped.

If the car had it's road tax/licence renewed in a block of 4 months, ( instead of the full 12 months ) at the time of expiry of the previous 12 month block. The new owner will be issued with a piece of paper from the Transport Department, stating that, the car can have its vehicle licence renewed 2 more times in blocks of 4 months each ( totaling 12 months ). They DO NOT need to issue another MOT if that was the case.

[wtbhotia]

So, I agree that some dealers will run away from their responsibilities because they're dishonest cowards, but not all are the same. That dealer from what I know, lost money on that car to keep a customer happy, who incidentally, has given them 3 referrals since that, all leading to sales, so the dealer got the opportunity to recoup their loss out of the other sales. which was quite fair in the end. Everybody was happy.

That's how business should be run, but agree, it is a big exception to the local cultural rule.

Fully agree on how the business should be run, most of my experience is with local dealers and hence why I never went back to them or refereed them with new business.
Now I only use my neighbour/dealers, they have no where to hide if my car has problems afterwards or have agreed something and they will do it.

[closedcasket]

Thanks for the replies.

The dealer has agreed to put 12 months MOT on it, in 4 months time..... whether that happens we'll have to see.

The car is in great condition and drives really well.... but has the standard Hong kong 70,000km's on the clock.

Gotta love those auto-malls where every car has obviously had the odometer turned back...it's standard practice here and almost to be expected. Can't trust any odometer reading..

There are several reasons you see so many new cars on the road in Hong Kong. One of which is that Hong Kong is severely lacking in honest and competent auto mechanics.