Can You Sell a Car Without an MOT? (Complete Guide + How-To)

The short answer is yes, you can sell a car without an MOT in the UK, but it typically lowers the price since buyers must handle repairs and testing before driving it legally.

Every car over three years old in the UK needs an annual MOT test. The certificate proves your car meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards set by law. Without it, you can’t legally drive the vehicle on public roads, except to a pre-booked MOT appointment.

But what if your car doesn’t have a valid MOT? Many drivers think this makes selling impossible, but that’s not true. While it can affect the price and limit your options, you still have several routes to sell a car without an MOT.

In this guide, we’re going to cover what those options are and what to expect.

Can you legally sell a car without a valid MOT certificate?

Yes, it’s completely legal to sell a car without an MOT. If your car is under three years old, it doesn’t need one yet. For anything older, the key point is transparency. You must tell the buyer that the car doesn’t have a valid MOT.

That’s because the MOT status directly affects what the buyer can do with the vehicle. Without it, they can’t legally drive it on the road, and they’ll need to either transport it by trailer or get it tested before they can pay road tax and drive it.

That’s information they have to know ahead of time to plan the pickup properly. Plus, being upfront avoids disputes later and keeps the sale on the right side of consumer law.

Who buys cars without an MOT?

There are five main types of buyers in the market for a car without an MOT: dealerships, scrap yards, breaker’s yards, auto trader, and collectors/hobbyists. The type of buyer usually depends on the condition, age, and value of your vehicle.

Dealerships

Not all dealerships will accept a car without a valid MOT certificate because of the risk involved. If they do, their valuation will be quite a bit lower. Still, if the car’s relatively new and in working order, many will take it off your hands and have it retested themselves.

Scrap yards

If your car is at the end of its life or is not worth repairing and that’s why it doesn’t have an MOT, a scrap yard is often the easiest route. A scrap yard near you will take it off your hands for free, do the paperwork and recycle it. You won’t get much money, but it’s quick and straightforward.

Breaker’s yards

Breaker’s yards buy cars to strip them for parts. If your car has valuable components like a good engine, gearbox or desirable body panels, they can resell these individually. You’ll get more than scrap value from a local breaker’s yard if the parts are in demand.

Auto traders

Some traders specialise in buying non-MOT cars. They might repair them cheaply and resell at a profit, or export them. These buyers are generally quick to deal with and know the risks, so the process is normally quite smooth.

Collectors and hobbyists

If your car is rare, classic or has potential as a restoration project, enthusiasts might be interested. Collectors and hobbyists look for “barn finds” and cars with character, even if they need work. This market is smaller, but pays off if your car has unique appeal.

How to sell a car without an MOT: step by step

If you want to sell a car without a valid MOT, there are four steps. First, decide if the car is worth repairing. Decide where to sell (privately, to a dealer or for scrap). Be honest about the car’s status when you approach buyers. And finally, make sure the V5C and required paperwork are sorted.

1. Decide if the car is worth repairing.

Before you rush to sell, work out whether putting it through an MOT is the smarter move.

Start by getting a free valuation using our car valuation calculator. This gives you a baseline figure for what your car could be worth with a valid MOT. Then look at what similar vehicles with an MOT are going for on classifieds and dealership websites.

Once you’ve done that, compare those numbers against the expected repair costs. If the valuation is on the high side and the fixes are only minor (think tyres, brake pads or lights), it often makes sense to repair the car and sell it with an MOT.

Essentially, the newer the car and the lighter the repair work needed, the more likely it is to be worth your while. The longer it’s had time to depreciate or the more significant the damages are, the higher the chances it’s better to scrap.

2. Choose where to sell: private, dealer, or scrap.

Once you’ve determined whether repairs are worth the time and effort, you can decide who to sell your non-MOT car to. Each route has its pros and cons, so the right choice depends on how much time you want to spend, how quickly you need the money, and the condition of your car.

• Private sale gives you the chance of the best price, but it’s harder to find a buyer willing to take on a car without an MOT. You’ll also deal with viewings, negotiations, and paperwork yourself.
• A dealer or trader is quicker and less hassled. They’ll usually offer less than a private buyer because they have their own margins to worry about, but they know how to handle non-MOT cars and will take it off your hands fast
• A scrap or breaker’s yard is the easiest option if your car is only worth its parts or recycling value. It’s instant, reliable, and ensures the vehicle is disposed of legally.

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:

Where to sell your non-MOT car

3. Be honest about the MOT status.

No matter where you decide to sell, always be upfront about whether the car has a valid MOT.

Buyers can check the MOT history online in seconds using the DVLA’s free service, so there’s no point trying to hide it. If you’re transparent from the start, you build trust and avoid wasting time with buyers who aren’t prepared to take on a car without an MOT.

Clear, honest listings also protect you legally; if you fail to disclose the MOT status, the sale could be challenged later.

4. Handle the V5C and required paperwork.

The paperwork you’ll need depends on how you sell the car, but it’s all fairly simple.

• Private sale: Fill out the V5C logbook to transfer ownership to the buyer. Both you and the buyer sign, and you send the relevant section to the DVLA. It’s also good practice to provide a receipt of sale.
• Dealer or trader: Complete the trade section of the V5C when handing over the vehicle. The dealer may handle this for you, but you’re still responsible for making sure the DVLA is notified.
• Scrap yard (ATF): An Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) will give you a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). You’ll hand over the full V5C, but keep Section 9 (or Section 4 on newer logbooks) to inform the DVLA that the car has been scrapped.

In all cases, you can either send the corresponding section(s) of the V5C logbook to the DVLA by post, or you can use their online service.

Thereafter, you’ll get an automatic refund for any full months of road tax you have left, and you can cancel your insurance.

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Does no MOT mean a lower car value?

Yes. A car without an MOT is almost always worth less.

The reason is simple: buyers see risk. Without a valid MOT, there’s no proof the car is roadworthy or has been properly taken care of. Repairs could be cheap, or they could be extremely expensive. That uncertainty lowers demand and, in turn, the price.

The drop in value depends on the car itself. A nearly-new car with obviously minor faults might only lose a small percentage. An older vehicle with obvious issues could see its value cut in half or more.

When selling without the MOT makes more sense

To recap, these are the main reasons you'd want to sell the car without the MOT:

High repair costs that don’t add value

If the work needed to pass the MOT costs more than the car is worth, you’re better off selling as-is. Spending £800 to fix a car worth £500 doesn’t make any sense at all.

End-of-life or non-running vehicles

For non-runners and very old cars, a scrap or breaker’s yard is usually the most practical route. You won’t see much extra value from repairs. You might even be able to sell your car for parts instead of just its scrap value.

Time-sensitive situations (moving, need cash fast)

If you’re moving house, relocating abroad, or simply need cash ASAP, waiting for repairs and testing probably isn’t realistic. We’ll buy your car without an MOT certificate, pick it up for free today or tomorrow, and pay you via secure bank transfer on the spot.

The bottom line

Selling a car without an MOT is perfectly legal, but it comes with trade-offs. You’ll almost always get less money than if you repaired it, and your pool of buyers will be smaller.

The smart move is to weigh up the car’s value against the repair costs. If the maths adds up, fix it and sell with an MOT. If not, be upfront about its status and choose the quickest route, whether that’s a trader, breaker, or scrap yard.

Either way, honesty and proper paperwork will keep the process simple and stress-free.

Ready to sell your car without an MOT? List your car online and auction your car today.