How to sell a car without an MOT

Selling your car can be intimidating, especially if it lacks an MOT.

In the UK, an MOT is mandatory for driving a car on public roads, with only a few exceptions. However, there is no legal prohibition against selling a car without one. If you decide to do it, there are important considerations to keep in mind, so we’ll cover everything you need to know below.

What is an MOT certificate?

An MOT is an annual inspection that ensures that older vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Certified garages examine components such as lights, brakes, suspension, and tyres while also conducting emissions tests to prove compliance with legal pollution limits.

After the inspection, the vehicle will either pass without issues, receive advisories for minor concerns that should be promptly addressed, or fail due to significant defects. Minor issues should be attended to promptly to prevent escalation, while major defects require immediate repair.

If your vehicle passes the MOT, you’re free to legally drive it home or to a repair facility. However, failing due to a serious defect will mean that the car requires towing.

Is it legal to sell a car with no MOT?

It is perfectly legal to sell a car without an MOT, even if it’s not roadworthy. However, it’s against the law to hide this fact from the buyer. As a seller, it’s important for you to clearly communicate that the buyer will need to coordinate transportation for the car, as it cannot legally be driven on UK roads.

Also, it doesn’t make sense for sellers to lie because most buyers will use an online tool provided by the DVLA. By entering the car’s registration number, they can check the car’s current tax and MOT status. If both MOT and tax expired a long time ago, they will assume the car has been off the road for an extended period.

Reasons for selling a car without an MOT

There are several reasons why someone might choose to sell a car that didn’t pass an MOT:

• Financial constraints — This can happen when repair costs are higher than the car’s value or when owners have more urgent financial priorities. Selling the car with an MOT failure helps avoid the extra expenses that could occur during the MOT test process.
• Car not in use — Storing an unused car poses logistical challenges and increases maintenance costs, especially if regular upkeep has been neglected. In such cases, selling allows owners to free up space and avoid ongoing expenses from maintaining a vehicle that isn’t in regular use.
• Selling for parts or restoration — The car might have valuable parts that can be sold separately. Alternatively, enthusiasts or collectors interested in restoring cars might see potential in it, focusing on its condition and potential for restoration or customisation rather than its MOT status.

Where can i sell a car without an MOT?

There are four different routes you can take when selling a car without an MOT.

Private buyer

You can list your car on various platforms, such as niche websites, online marketplaces, or noticeboards. It’s important to be upfront about the car’s mechanical status and clearly state that it lacks a valid MOT. Also, you should not allow potential buyers to take the car for a test drive due to safety and legal reasons.

Car dealer

Car dealers can buy and sell cars without an MOT, but many avoid this because of the trouble and financial burden of having the car fixed. If a dealer is willing to purchase a car that recently failed its MOT, they likely won’t offer much money for it. This is because the dealer will need to invest in repairs to make the car sellable, which reduces their profit margin.

Car-buying service

You can sell a car without a valid MOT certificate to car-buying companies. However, you’ll need to provide some key documents to complete the sale and transfer ownership properly.

Scrap

You can scrap a car that failed its MOT selling by taking it to a local authorised treatment facility (ATF). However, you must arrange for the car to be transported to the facility because it is illegal and potentially dangerous to drive it without a valid MOT. Proper transportation secures the safe and legal disposal of the vehicle.

Who will buy a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate?

Trade dealers and car-buying services are the primary purchasers of vehicles without a valid MOT certificate. This is because they have the logistical means to transport and store these vehicles easily.

Sellers tend to sell to businesses rather than private buyers because it streamlines the whole process. It saves sellers time and effort, avoiding potential delays or complications that may arise from dealing with individuals who require financing approval, inspections, or other contingencies. Also, businesses often offer the best price.

How to sell a car without an MOT

It can be challenging to sell a car without MOT documents, but with the right approach, you can still find a buyer and secure a fair deal:

1. Prepare the car for sale. Start by thoroughly cleaning the car inside and out to present it in the best possible condition. Gather all the necessary documents, such as the logbook and any service history. Be upfront about the lack of MOT and any known issues to develop rapport with potential buyers.
2. Set a fair price. Research similar cars in your area that also lack an MOT to determine a competitive price. Consider factors like the car’s age, mileage, overall condition, and the potential cost for a buyer to get it roadworthy.
3. Market the car. Advertise the car widely to attract potential buyers. Use online platforms and local community forums or notice boards. Clearly state in your ads that the car does not have an MOT and provide as much detail as possible about its current condition and history.
4. Negotiate with potential buyers. Be prepared for negotiations, as buyers may offer lower prices due to the lack of an MOT. Have a minimum acceptable price in mind but remain open to reasonable offers. Highlight any positives about the car, such as low mileage or recent maintenance, to justify your asking price and negotiate from a position of strength.
5. Finalise the sale. Transfer ownership by completing the V5C logbook and providing a receipt for the sale. Arrange secure payment via cash or bank transfer, and make sure the buyer understands the implications.

Pros and cons of selling a car without an MOT

Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons:

Cons

• You’ll likely need to reduce your price to cover the buyer’s extra costs.
• Buyers must arrange transport and fix the car before they can drive it legally.
• Finding a buyer willing to handle repairs can be hard. This extends the selling process.

Pros

• You avoid the time-consuming process of getting repairs done.
• You save money on fixing mechanical issues.
• You bypass the uncertainty of whether the car will pass the MOT retest.

Sell your car safely with Motorways

Final words

Selling a car without an MOT is not ideal, but it is possible.

It’s worth noting that before committing to the sale, you might want to compare the price you can get for your car to similar ones that have an MOT certificate. This comparison will help determine if paying to fix the issues preventing the car from passing an MOT would be economically viable. If it is, then consider repairing the vehicle before putting it on the market.