Reform UK might soon face a £1,000 fine after their campaign bus was discovered without a valid MOT.
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The political party, led by Nigel Farage, has big plans ahead, including a major local election campaign. Reform UK, which currently holds five seats in Parliament, is gearing up for what it’s calling the "biggest ever launch rally in modern British political history".
To build support, Reform UK campaigners have been hosting local events around the UK, including in Essex. One of the most eye-catching parts of the campaign is their bright aqua bus, featuring bold slogans like "Join the Reform UK party" and "Let's make Britain Great."
The so-called “world-famous” bus, described as "brand new," even has a TV inside, offering a space for party supporters to drum up votes.
However, some sharp-eyed social media users noticed something odd about the bus. The vehicle, with the number plate R903 TCH, has an expired MOT, according to GOV.UK. This means the owner could face a fine of up to £1,000 for driving it without a valid MOT.
The bus, a purple diesel-powered Dennis model, was first registered on January 6, 1998, and its last MOT expired on April 22, 2015. The vehicle has failed two MOT tests in the past, once in March 2010 and again in April 2013. The mileage has stayed at 9,414 miles since the 2013 test. The latest failure was due to a broken headlamp and misaligned lights, which could cause issues on the road.
The bus is taxed and the next payment is due on January 1, 2026. The latest V5C logbook was issued on January 29, 2025. It's unclear whether the bus is being used for regular road travel or if it's only being used for campaign purposes.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) says some vehicles are exempt from needing an MOT, such as electric goods vehicles registered before March 1, 2015, and certain classic cars. However, lorries, buses, and trailers, like this one, require an annual test, known as the "annual vehicle test," instead of a standard MOT.
