3 min read · Updated
Yes. There's no law against selling a car that doesn't have a valid MOT. The rules on driving, taxing and keeping that car are what make it awkward.
Here's what the law says, how a missing or failed MOT affects the price, and the easiest way to sell.
When a car needs an MOT
In England, Scotland and Wales, a car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, then every year after that. In Northern Ireland the first test is at four years. Some vehicles over 40 years old can be exempt as historic vehicles.
You can check any car's MOT expiry date and full history free on GOV.UK using the reg.
What you can and can't do
- You can sell it, to a private buyer or a trade buyer.
- You can't drive it on a public road, except to a booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs needed to pass. The fine for driving without an MOT can be up to £1,000, and your insurance might not pay out after an accident.
- You can't tax it, because tax needs a valid MOT where one is required.
- You can't leave it on the street. An untaxed car must be declared off the road (SORN) and kept on private land, like a driveway or garage. Leave it on a public road and you risk a fine or clamp.
Failed or expired?
If your car fails its MOT before the old certificate runs out, the old one is still valid until its expiry date. The exception is a dangerous defect. Then the car mustn't be driven until it's fixed.
If the MOT has simply expired, the car can only be driven to a booked test or to repairs. This often happens when a car has been off the road for a while.
Fix it or sell it as it is?
Look at the fail sheet, or the likely problems, and get a quote. Then compare.
- Cheap items like bulbs, wiper blades, a tyre or a number plate are usually worth fixing. The car becomes easier to sell and worth more.
- Expensive items like structural rust, suspension parts, brake pipes or emissions faults can cost more than they add, especially on an older car.
If you do repairs, ask the test centre about the retest fee. If the car is fixed and retested within a set time, the retest may be free or cheaper.
How it affects the price
A car without an MOT is worth less, because the buyer takes on the cost and risk of getting it through a test. How much less depends on what's likely to be needed. Buyers look at the MOT history for clues. Repeated advisories for rust or worn parts suggest bigger bills to come.
Be open about it. Share the fail sheet if you have one. An honest description means the price you're offered is the price you get.
The easiest way to sell
Private buyers can't legally test-drive a car with no MOT on the road, and many won't want to try. A trade buyer who collects on a transporter avoids the problem. Nobody drives the car and you don't pay for repairs or a retest.
Whoever you sell to, tell the DVLA afterwards so you're no longer responsible for the car.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check GOV.UK for the latest.