How to Sell a Car Without an MOT
We buy cars without a current MOT. The figure is lower than for a car with one, and we collect on a transporter rather than drive it. Get an instant figure on the tool.
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Is it legal to sell a car without an MOT?
Yes. There is no law against selling a car with an expired MOT. The car cannot be driven on the road by you or the buyer until it is tested, except to a pre-booked MOT appointment. Most buyers will arrange a transporter rather than drive the car away.
What you cannot do
- Drive the car on a public road, except directly to a pre-booked MOT
- Park the car on a public road if it is also not taxed, which it usually cannot be without a current MOT
- Sell privately to a buyer who plans to drive the car home, unless they accept the legal risk
What this means for the figure you get
Most online car buyers either refuse cars without MOT or pay much less. The figures we have seen are around 40 to 60 percent of what the same car would get with a valid MOT. Reasons:
- The buyer cannot legally road test the car at collection
- The buyer needs to put it through a test before resale
- Any work needed to pass the MOT comes out of the buyer's margin
WeBuyAnyCar buys cars without MOT. SellCarInstant buys cars without MOT, but the figure is lower than for a car with a current MOT, and the car is collected on a transporter.
How the process works with SellCarInstant
- Enter your reg, mileage, and details. The system will identify if there is no current MOT.
- Upload photos. The figure is locked once photos are submitted.
- Choose collection. We arrange a transporter rather than drive the car away.
- Funds are transferred the day the car is collected.
Drop off at our Bury site is also available, but you will need to get the car to us legally, either on the back of a transporter or driven directly to a pre-booked MOT appointment that we can coordinate with.
What paperwork you need
- V5C logbook
- Driving licence or passport
- Service history if you have it
- Both sets of keys
You do not need an MOT certificate, since there is no current one. If you have a previous MOT certificate showing what the car last passed or failed on, hand it over with the keys.
Should I get the car tested before selling?
It depends on the figure. Putting a car through an MOT costs around £55. If the car is likely to pass (for example, it failed last time on something simple that has since been fixed), the increase in your selling figure will usually outweigh the test cost.
If the car is likely to fail, do not waste the test fee. Sell it as is.
If you do not know, get a free check at any garage offering pre-MOT inspections. They will tell you whether it is worth booking the actual test.
Instant valuation
Ready to sell your car without an MOT?
Get an instant figure on the tool. Choose collection and we send a transporter rather than drive the car away.
Get your valuation instantly:
No sign up. No email. No phone details until you decide to go ahead.