I have been fined £60 for driving with no MOT, only it was a friends car. Am i still responsible?

Question

I borrowed my friends car to get to work and got stopped and fined £60 for its MOT being 2 weeks out of date. I explained it wasn't my car but was given the fine anyway as they rushed off to answer an emergency call. I am fully comp insured on my car so thought insurance was ok. I wasn't aware the MOT had run out. Am i responsible for the fine as the driver, or is the owner. She has since had the car scrapped as it was a bit of a banger. Should I contest it or just pay it? I am unsure where I stand legally.

Answer 1

YOU were driving a vehicle without an MOT, that makes you liable, the exact same applies if you hire a vehicle, you must ensure all documents are present and correct and the vehicle is roadworthy. Who else is going to do this for you? it up to you to make sure a vehicle is legal before taking the wheel.

Answer 2

did you get points for it?

if not, then just get the cash from your friend to pay the fine, since she neglected to tell you it wasnt MOTd

if she was any sort of pal, she'd give you the £60 to cover the fine and buy you a pint for the hassle :)

Answer 3

I have met this kind of problem before,here is the resource I found useful.http://car-insurance.easyideas4u.info/ca...

Answer 4

In the  U.S. the driver is responsible for making sure the car is safe and legal.  It is the same as getting a ticket for defective equipment.   I expect that the U.K. is the same.

Answer 5

Not sure on that one, I would ask citizen's advise.  You don't usually ask the car owner if the mot is up to date, so I can't see it being your fault to be fair.