If your car or van fails its MOT test, you could be left with a big decision to make: pay out for repairs or get rid of it. Ultimately your decision comes down to whether the car is worth paying out for, and whether you’re in a position to make the investment in a new (or at least newer) car
If for whatever reason you do not agree with the test result, you can get it re-tested at your own cost in another garage, or you can appeal test result directly with the DVLA.
Depending on what it has failed on, and whether your current MOT has not expired, you can still drive the vehicle home or onto another garage. There is a 10 day grace period, assuming failures are not classified as dangerous though so best to check further down this guide for more information. Keep reading for more detail on everything we’ve covered so far
The MOT Failure Hub
Everything you need to know, after the dreaded news that your car has failed the MOT is contained on these pages. You can navigate this guide page using the links below and read more on it topic.
- Driving A Car After It’s Failed An MOT
- Selling A Car Without An MOT
- MOT Retests
- Appeal An MOT Test
- Driving A Car Which Wouldn’t Pass An MOT?
Want to find out even more? Follow the links within each section for our MOT-specific guides.
Can You Drive After An MOT Fail?
If your car fails its MOT test, you might think you’re no longer allowed to drive it at all. That’s not always the case, though – there’s a catch. If your vehicle fails, you can drive it for 10 days (provided your existing MOT pass status hasn’t expired & it’s not deemed dangerous) but this is only supposed to be to give you opportunities to have it repaired.
It’s also common that this 10-day grace period will be used by drivers to sell the vehicle as scrap instead! Many of our customers find themselves in this exact predicament, which is why our rapid turnaround and free collection from any location is extremely useful. Your doomed motor can be sold & scrapped before that MOT retest is due!
Don’t break the law by accident! Read our in-depth guide to driving a car after failing an MOT here.
Can You Sell A Car Without An MOT
Selling any vehicle without a valid MOT certificate can be very difficult, especially if you’re trying to sell it privately to another motorist who wants to drive it themselves.
Not with Scrap Car Comparison, though! We’re experts at finding buyers for MOT-less cars who are willing to pay fair, high prices. Unlike somebody who wants to drive the car themselves, we don’t care if your car has failed its MOT test. Damage and mechanical problems are common in the cars we see!
Find out more about selling your old car without an MOT here.
How Do MOT Retests Work?
Getting your car retested after an MOT fail is fairly simple, but there are a few things to be aware of. For starters, there’s no point doing some low-effort repairs to your car to try and squeak it through another 12 months. You might still end up with it failing.
It’s also good to know that if your car does fail, you can get it retested within 10 days at the same garage without having to pay for a full test; they’ll offer you a partial test instead, and these are free!
Still unsure how retesting your car works? We’ve got a complete explanation of MOT tests & retests here.
How Do You Appeal A Failed MOT Test?
If you feel that your test is somehow incorrect, and your garage do not agree you can appeal directly with the DVLA. You must appeal within 14 days of the test result.
You can appeal a failure when you think it should have passed, or, a pass, when you we’re expecting a failure.
Remember that you can only keep driving you car in this time if your old MOT certificate is still valid and if the issues found on the car or not dangerous or critical.
Also, it’s important to know that if you make any fixes to your vehicle in that time, you can hinder the outcome of the appeal.
Can You Drive Your Car If You Know It Wouldn’t Pass An MOT?
This is where things can become a little bit complicated. Technically, if you know your vehicle will fail an MOT test in whatever state it’s currently in, you’re also admitting that it’s not road-safe. This, in itself, is illegal and if you’re stopped by the police, you will face punishment – the severity of which may depend on just how dangerous your vehicle is!
So, what should you do? Well, you should get it repaired immediately, or stop driving it. The thing is, most people won’t do this if they believe they can get away with it. Unfortunately many motorists believe it’s perfectly fine to put off car or van maintenance right up until their MOT test is due. Not only is this bad for road safety and the longevity of your vehicle, it is also simply not true. An MOT pass only means that your motor is safe at that moment, not for the next 12 months without question.
Stay safe and read our guide on driving a MOT failing car here.
How Do I Know Whether I Should Fix My Car?
If the repairs after a failed MOT test are more expensive than the value of the car then it’s time to get rid of the car.
Similarly, if the repairs are cost effective but you are ready to upgrade and don’t want to pay, you can sell the car for salvage.
Salvaging is a middle-ground between scrapping or selling privately. If you’ve failed the MOT it’s not easy to privately sell the car, but you can sell it to a salvage yard. Their aim will be to fix up and restore the car, or salvage parts from it for future spares and repairs. This depends on the condition.
What’s left after the process will be scrapped. In fact, in most cases all cars will have some recycling done before scrapping, even if it’s just a wing mirror here or there.
Salvaging a car can get you a lot more money than scrapping because the value takes into account more than just the scrap weight of the metal. It needs to be carefully negotiated, and it can be tricky to find a suitable salvage buyer as they are spread over the country.
Our online quote system will tell you your salvage value instantly, giving you a ballpark figure. And if you’re unsure about the repairs cost being given to you by your garage, you are not obliged to use them. You can ring around for quotes from other garages.
Getting a fair price for the repairs, and knowing the scrap and salvage value of the car will put you in a strong position to make a judgment.
What Is A ‘Dangerous Fail’ On An MOT Test?
When your vehicle fails its MOT test, it will be down to either ‘major fails’ or ‘dangerous fails’. Majors, whilst resulting in failure, still allow you to drive the vehicle away from the test centre to get repairs done – this is where the 10-day grace period comes into play.
However, if your vehicle is deemed to be carrying a ‘dangerous defect’ you will not be legally allowed to drive it anywhere. These issues are ones that would endanger yourself or other road users were you to continue driving the car.
Example Of Dangerous Defects
- Brakes
- Loose brake discs
- Leaking brake fluid
- Windscreen
- Large cracks
- Cracks in driver’s eyeline
- Scratches
- Large Oil Leak
- Bald Tyres
- Suspension
Read more information on what is checked on an MOT test here.
What Is The Most Common Failure On An MOT Test?
You’d probably think that most cars fail their MOT because of problems with major components, like their engine or brakes. Actually, whilst they are common causes of a test failure, the reason most vehicles fail their MOT is in fact faulty lights and/or signals.
Here’s the run down of the top-five, with statistics via RAC. The percentage represents the amount of failures caused by each problem:
- Lights & Signals – 18.9%
- Suspension – 13%
- Brakes – 10%
- Tyres – 7.7%
- Driver’s view – 7.2%
Read more about the common MOT fails here.
Why Do I Need A Valid MOT?
An MOT test is designed to thoroughly examine the overall road safety of a vehicle so that it is not only safe for the driver to operate, but that it is also safe for other road users to be around.
Many drivers dread the annual MOT test due to the financial burden that often comes hand in hand with a vehicle that has failed it. After all, if a vehicle is deemed to be unsafe and fails its MOT, it is (or will soon become) against the law for drivers to get behind the wheel of that vehicle. You would be risking an MOT fine, and more serious criminal situations.
MOT FAQs
Knowing what you can and can’t do when your MOT is overdue can be complicated. Here are some of your most frequently asked questions answered:
How much does an MOT cost?
MOT tests can vary in price depending on which garage you take your car to. There is a legal maximum price though: £54.85.
Does a failed MOT stay on the car’s record?
Yes. If someone was to check the history of your vehicle online, they would see a full history of its MOT test passes and fails over the years. When selling your car to someone who plans to drive it themselves, don’t be surprised if they check this before buying.
Do garages fail MOTs on purpose?
No. If you suspect that a garage is doing this, you should report it to the DVSA and, if your own test has been failed suspiciously, you should appeal the result. Honest, respectable garages will not fail MOTs to meet some kind of quota, though.
Do speed cameras check your MOT?
Yes and no. Regular speed cameras don’t check your MOT status – only your speed. However, average speed cameras can be used to check your MOT validity because they work using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). Those cameras aren’t just snapping your position between two points; they’re identifying your vehicle.
Can A Vehicle That Has Failed Its MOT Be Parked On The Road?
Even if you’re not planning on driving it, any vehicle on the road in any capacity must have a valid MOT and be taxed and insured. If your car does not have a valid MOT with no pass coming in the foreseeable future, then you will need to ensure it’s parked off the road, either in a garage or on a private driveway and that you have registered for a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) from the gov.uk website.
Does MOT failure invalidate insurance?
As soon as your MOT certificate expires your insurance will, in most cases, no longer be valid. If your previous MOT certificate is still valid then your insurance will remain in place, but as soon the car no longer has a valid MOT certificate, you will no longer be able to make any claims and will be responsible for any damages to other cars.
Are there things I can do to prepare for an MOT test?
Carrying out a pre-MOT test check on your car is an advisable thing to do which can remove surprises as well as help you anticipate any issues. We have a full guide to carrying out a MOT preparation check here.
MOT Failure Hub
MOT Failure HubIf you have, or expect to, fail you next MOT test there are a number of options, and important things to know. Luckily, we have expert guides on all MOT failure topics.
Can you drive car after a failed MOT
There is a 10 day grace period where it can be driven, with conditions that the car is safe.
Retesting and appealing an MOT test
If you are not happy with you test results and believe there to be mistake, find out your next steps here.
Driving a faulty car before your MOT test
If you know your car would fail an MOT test, you have a legal a duty to have that car repaired. Find out more.
Failing your MOT on emissions
Failing your MOT on emissions is not usually something we would expect. Find out everything you need to know here.
Or, visit our MOT failure hub for guides on everything related to MOT, and how to navigate your options after a fail.
Sell your MOT failed car
If you want to get rid of a car which has failed it’s MOT test, or is damaged beyond repair, you can get an instant and free quote online. Simply add your reg number and postcode and we can find you a salvage buyer in your area.
Pre Mot Test Advice
If you’ve not yet taken your MOT test, we still have everything you need. Here is a selection of guides useful if you MOT is coming soon.
- How to check the MOT status of your car
- Booking an MOT test early
- What MOT class is my vehicle?
- MOT exemption
