How to Sell a Car Without an MOT
A failed MOT can literally feel like the end of the road, especially if you can’t afford the repairs to pass a retest. Scrap Car Comparison is here If you have encountered an MOT fail and repairing simply isn’t an option.
We work with a nationwide network of specialist buyers, guaranteeing you the very best price for your MOT failure.
Quick and Easy
Scrap Car Comparison guarantees a buyer for your MOT failure will be available in an instant. Our system scours a network of specialists much faster than you can by ringing around.
Specialist Buyers
All of our buyers regularly seek out MOT failures and specialise in buying broken cars. Only dealing with certified and trusted dealers means you can be safe in the knowledge you’ll get a fair price.
Nationwide Coverage
Our nationwide network means that no matter where you are, a free collection can be provided to all of our customers, even if your car is a non-runner.
Who is Scrap Car Comparison?
- Our service covers all manner of broken vehicles, and we organise the purchase of 10,000 vehicles every month.
- We’ve paid out over £18 million since we started trading. We have also raised over £750,000 for charities up and down the country.
- Our reviews speak for themselves, and we are proud to have an average rating from our customers of 4.8 out of 5.
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Testimonials
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“The value was agreed, car collected from home so I didn’t need to worry about getting it to a scrap yard with a failed MOT, worked well”. – Mark
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“Needed to sell my daughter’s car after it failed an MOT. Arranged a day for collection and received payment within a couple of hours. Faultless experience.” – Chris
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“Easy to set up collection of our MOT failed car. We were kept up to speed at all times” – Archie
How do I sell my MOT failure?
1. Understand the issue
MOTs can be failed for a number of reasons. Each failure has its own unique requirements and difficulties when it comes to repairing them and re-passing your test. Knowing why you’ve failed is paramount to working out your next steps.
2. Decide whether to fix or sell
Choosing whether or not want to fix your broken car can often be a harder choice than you think. It’s not just money either, as you’ll need to factor in time and space. If this is too much, then selling might be the best bet, and that’s where we come in.
3. Get an instant quote online
Selling your MOT failure is much easier than you might think. It all starts with just simply putting your postcode and car’s registration into our quote generator. You’ll see your initial quotes within 60 seconds.
4. Give some more details
A member of our team will call you and ask a few questions about your car. This is where you can give more details on how and why your car failed its MOT. Answer honestly and you’ll get a more accurate price.
5. Accept an offer
With all of your details to hand, our team will speak with our specialist buyers. All of our buyers regularly deal with MOT failures – often seeking them out. We’ll show you the best offers and allow you to accept your preferred option.
6. Arrange collection
All that’s left is to arrange a collection with one of our agents, operating nationwide. They’ll collect your car free of charge, and once it’s been collected, the money will be in your account that day.
MOT Failures in more detail
There can be a wide variety of reasons your car hasn’t been given the stamp of approval at its MOT. The government releases figures each year regarding MOT failures, as defined by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). From 2022 to 2023, almost 1.6 million vehicles failed their test out of 7.3 million tested equating to 27.7% of all tested vehicles. Over 90% of those that failed did so without any specified “dangerous” items.
There are also statistics showing what the most common reasons for vehicles failing their MOTs are, which you can find below.
- 18%: Lights
- 12%: Suspension
- 10%: Brakes
- 7%: Tyres
- 7%: Windscreen
- 4%: Exhaust
- 3%: Steering
MOT Failure FAQs
What is an MOT?
An MOT is an annual legal test carried out on vehicles over the age of three to ensure its safety.
It is not a mechanical check over like your annual service, but rather a check to ensure it is roadworthy and safe. Having a valid MOT is a legal requirement to drive on British roads. A car that fails its MOT must be repaired and retested before it is allowed to be driven again.
How much is a car worth after an MOT failure?
Failing an MOT does not mean that your car suddenly becomes worthless. MOT failures can often be some of the most valuable vehicles on the scrap and salvage market.
MOT failures often have one major fault which, once repaired, means the car will be back to a roadworthy condition. After the repairs, its value will likely jump up again.
Can you collect my MOT failure from the garage?
Thanks to our nationwide network of specialist collectors, we can collect from anywhere in the UK. That means we can come to you wherever it is. That could be on your driveway, a car park, the garage where your car failed its MOT or even in a lay-by at the side of the road.
Can I sell my MOT failure if it has multiple issues?
Scrap Car Comparison is the UK’s leading buyer of scrap and salvage vehicles, so whether your car has failed its MOT for one, two or any number of issues, we’ll still be able to get you the very best price for it.
Will you collect my car even if it doesn’t run?
Our collection agents are specialists. That means that they’re able to collect a car whether it can drive on to the trailer or not.
Make sure that you are as accurate as possible when explaining to our team so that the collectors know exactly what to prepare for.
Do all cars need an MOT?
Almost all cars on the road require a valid MOT. Those that don’t are cars and vehicles that are over 40 years old and have not had any ‘substantial changes’ or modifications in the last 30 years.
Any vehicle made before 1960 does not require an MOT test, nor do tractors or electric vehicles. Lorries, buses and trailers are also not required to take an MOT test. They undergo a different test which is similar in principle but has different criteria, called an ‘annual vehicle test’.
Failure to have a valid MOT when required will result in a £2,500 fine and three penalty points on your drivers’ licence.
What gets tested at an MOT?
The MOT is not a test of the vehicle’s mechanical abilities, but one to ensure it is safe to be on the road.
Items checked include seats, seatbelts, lights, the battery, electrical systems and exhaust emissions.
Can I drive without a valid MOT?
It is illegal to drive a vehicle on a public road without an MOT. The only exception is if you are driving to an approved MOT centre with a pre-booked test appointment.
Articles
Work out the value of my MOT failure
Find out how much your MOT failure could be worth as either scrap or salvage with our scrap value calculator. Instant free valuation online.
What documents do I need to sell my MOT failure?
Let us guide you through all of the paperwork and everything else you may need to sell your failed car
The most common MOT fails
A comprehensive list on the most common reasons vehicles fail their MOT, and what you can do to avoid being in next year’s statistics.
MOT Certificates Explained
All you need to know about the MOT, including how long it lasts, when you don’t need one and what to do if you fail.
MOT Failure Hub
If 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.
Selling an MOT failed car
Find out about selling a car with no MOT, or with a failed MOT test. It’s not as hard as you think.
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.
