Can you sell a car without an MOT?

It’s much easier to sell a used car if it has a valid MOT. If you are wondering if you can sell your car without one, then the short answer is ‘yes’. But there’s a bit more to it than that.

A valid MOT certificate can increase the value of your car when you decide to sell it. A recent clean bill of mechanical health can be useful in proving how sound a car is.

If, however, your car has a history of advisories and failures, you must decide whether it’s worth spending (in essence, losing) money on sorting any problems before selling.

The good news is that you can sell your car, even if it doesn’t have a current MOT. If you’re selling your car privately though, there are some things to consider – which Carwow’s crack team of experts explain here.

What is an MOT certificate?

An MOT is an annual roadworthiness check for all cars between three and 40 years old. Cars that have been on the road for four decades may still go through the MOT, but it’s not compulsory.

The garage conducting the test checks all the major components, from the lights and electrical equipment to the suspension, brakes and tyres. An emissions test also ensures the engine isn’t emitting pollutants outside the legal limits.

A car will either pass the test outright, pass with advisories (for minor issues that should be fixed before they become major issues), or fail because a major defect is cited. Minor defects should be fixed as soon as possible, but a major defect must be rectified immediately.

If your car is still covered by an existing MOT, the car can be driven home or repaired at the MOT test centre or another garage: if your car has a dangerous defect, however, it is illegal to drive it, so it must be towed. If you don’t have a valid MOT certificate, it’s illegal to drive the car.

You can check your car’s MOT history using our free MOT check.

Can you sell a car without an MOT?

Yes, you can sell a car without an MOT. There are some conditions, though. You must tell the buyer that the car has no MOT, and you must not drive it on the public road.

Failing to tell the buyer that the car has no MOT isn’t just unfair – it’s illegal. This does happen sometimes – either by accident or unscrupulous design – so it’s important to make it clear that the buyer will need to bring a trailer to take the car away.

There’s a handy online tool for buyers from the DVLA that allows anyone to enter a car’s registration number and get the car’s current tax and MOT status. If the MOT is not current, and it and the tax expired some time ago, the car might have been off the road for some time.

This tool also shows the car’s MOT history, including any past failures and the reasons why the car didn’t make the grade.

Where can I sell a car without an MOT?

Private buyer

If you’re selling a car without a valid MOT, there are plenty of places to advertise it to private buyers – specialist car selling websites, online marketplaces, bulletin boards – but you must make the car’s mechanical status absolutely clear and not allow viewers to test drive it.

Car dealer

Car dealers can buy and sell cars without an MOT, but many don’t want the hassle and expense of getting the car fixed. If a car dealer does offer to buy your MOT failure, it won’t be for much.

Car-buying service

There are car-buying services that will buy cars without a valid MOT certificate, but you’ll also have to provide some key documents, such as the V5C logbook.

Scrap

You can scrap your MOT failure through car-buying services or at an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). You’ll have to arrange to have your car transported, though, because it’s illegal to drive it to be scrapped.

The pros and cons of selling a car without an MOT

There are various advantages and disadvantages to selling a car without an MOT. Here are some of the things you should consider before deciding whether to sell a car without an MOT or have it fixed and put through the test again before it goes up for sale.

Pros of selling a car without an MOT

· Saving time. One big upside to selling a car without an MOT is that you won’t have to spend time fixing the car and having it retested.
· Saving money. Unless you are handy with a spanner, fixing the car so it will pass its MOT means employing a professional – and that costs money. You’ll pay for their expertise and for any parts needed. It all adds up. So, if you sell the car as it is you won’t have to spend this money.
· Less hassle (to start with). You can put the car up for sale right now if you don’t have it fixed. It’s less hassle, at least in the short term.

Cons of selling a car without an MOT

· Complexity. Selling privately is more complicated for a car without an MOT, because a buyer has to transport and fix the car before they can legally drive it.
· Lower price. You will need to adjust your asking price to accommodate the extra cost of transporting the car for the buyer. And of course, a car that isn’t mechanically sound won’t be worth as much as one with a valid MOT, so you’ll have to lower your price to deduct what a buyer will need to spend to pass the test. If you’re wondering how much your car is worth without an MOT, take a look at Carwow’s car valuation tool. It’s free to use and gives you an estimate based on the age and condition of the car.
· Smaller market. Unless your car is special or highly desirable, not many people will want to buy it without an MOT. You are massively reducing the number of potential buyers if you decide to sell without an MOT certificate, and it may take longer before the car sells.

Selling a car without an MOT FAQs

Do I need to MOT my car if I’m not using it?

No. Just make sure you park it off the public road (a garage is ideal but a driveway will do) and register the car as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) with the DVLA.

Is it worth reporting a car with no MOT?

It might seem like a mean thing to do, but there are good reasons to report a car that doesn’t have an MOT. The car could be unsafe, or it could have high emissions which will harm local air quality.

Can I drive a car without MOT if I just bought it?

No. You will need to collect the car on a trailer. It shouldn’t be driven on the road until it has passed its MOT. The only exception is classic cars over 40 years old which don’t need to hold an MOT certificate.

Can you part exchange an MOT failure car?

In theory, yes, you can. But will the dealer want it? They may decide that taking an MOT failure in part exchange is not worth the hassle, or they may offer a very low price.

Cars Change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.