Ministry of Transport

When you own a car in the UK you have to bring it in for a yearly MOT test. The car has to past the test for you to be able to get your "tax disk", which is similar to the US's "registration". The MOT costs £44.15 and the tax disk fee is based on the size of the engine (our 1990cc BMW costs about £91 for a 6-month registration, about £170 for 12 months). If you don't have a valid MOT and tax disk, you are not allowed to drive the car.

Our MOT and tax is due as of yesterday. If we were sensible people, we would have taken care of this earlier. In fact, last weekend I was planning on coaxing K into bringing the car in to a test centre on Monday, but I pretty much forgot all about it until Wednesday. On Thursday, we made an appointment for the MOT test on Friday. A mere formality. However, it did not pass the test because a tail-light was out, the right headlight was misaligned, and the rear passenger-side tire was splitting along the sidewall. So, we had to leave the car with them. They have ordered a tire, but because BMWs are finicky, it is a special size that they cannot get until Monday. Therefore, we will not have it back until Monday evening, which means Kristen will have to take the train to Bournemouth for her first day of work. A bit of a nuisance, but what can one do?

Well, at least it is just minor. Though the new tire is a bit pricey, it could have been a lot worse. And I know they're not trying to swindle us because I was aware that one of the tires was nearing the end of its life and we have been beamed a few times by oncoming vehicles, so I guess that was because of the misaligned headlight.

That's cars for ya... it's the surprises that make you question whether or not it is worth having one in the first place!

-RP-