Sell Car Without MOT: A Simple Guide

Selling an MOT failure may seem daunting, especially when you’ve just received the fail grade from your local MOT station or garage.

Although you may be tempted to test various solutions, it is important to consider your options if your vehicle can only be scrapped.

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Can You Sell A Car Without an MOT?

Understanding MOT Failure Categories.

What type of MOT fail your vehicle received will significantly affect the price and hassle of selling it. Under the recent MOT test changes, the following MOT failure grades are now:

Pass – The pass rate has remained unchanged.
Minor – A minor grade is for those flagged with issues that can be repaired. Although the vehicle may be safe to drive currently, it may prove to hold issues later on.
Major – Major ratings are those that are seen as high failures. If your car has been given a failing grade, driving is considered unsafe and cannot be moved without repairs.

Inevitably, different MOT failures will result in a different price received. If your vehicle has received significant faults, it may still be resold as salvage, whereas a dangerous spot will mean a fee can be offered, although it will not be near private sale value.

This is in the respect that many private dealers will drastically provide a reduced rate for any vehicle that has major or dangerous faults, as it will result in expensive repairs and labour costs.

Areas with the highest MOT Fail rates include

Kirkcaldy, Scotland – 72.9 percent pass rate
Dundee, Scotland – 74 percent pass rate
Truro, Cornwall – 74.5 percent pass rate
Plymouth – 74.8 percent pass rate
Aberdeen, Scotland – 75.9 percent pass rate.
Exeter – 76.2 percent pass rate.
Torquay, Devon – 76.3 percent.
Llandrindod Wells in Wales and Perth in Scotland – 76.7 percent pass rate
Telford, Bristol and Inverness – 77.2 percent pass rate
Paisley, Scotland – 77.3 percent pass rate

Compared with the cost of maintenance and repairs, it may be asked if it’s worth selling your MOT Failure car.

With the delay of recent MOT tests, it’s expected that many more vehicles in key provinces across the UK will soon have to ditch their MOT failure car and find a more suitable alternative.

Selling an MOT failure for cash

You may be tempted to sell your MOT failure for cash fast, but it’s essential to be advised that no private dealer will touch your vehicle.

Also, you can only scrap any heavily damaged or broken car, and under the scrap metal dealer act, you can only receive a secure BACS transfer or cheque.

Cash for MOT failures, like scrap cars, has been heavily monitored since the vehicle’s buyer may want some form of reassurance that the vehicle is sold as described.

Due to this, when selling an MOT failure, you must receive a secure payment method for your MOT Failure car.

Selling MOT Failure For Car Parts

Selling an MOT failure may be tempting, although the cost of labour, breaking, and advertising may put you out of pocket.
The average price of fixing an MOT failure has been earmarked at £325!

Labour costs vary from city to city, and being able to source quality parts may be costly and unfavourable for many private sellers.

Below is an overview of the average amount spent to fix MOT faults by city, sourced from autoexpress.co.uk.

Interestingly, Liverpool motorists paid the most for improving their MOT failure, while those in Belfast only paid an average repair cost of £78.17.

Whether you sell your MOT failure for parts or employ a car breaker or garage to do so, it’s essential to outweigh the long-term cost of labour and parts when doing so.

At Scrap Local, we work with our network of car breakers, which may cover these costs, getting you a price you’re happy with for your MOT failure.

You can view our car collection areas here.

Selling a SORN car without MOT

Vehicles that have failed their MOT and are SORN sees little demand as they have to spend money to tax and MOT the vehicle, respectively.

This can affect the value of your car, resulting in a lower price if sold privately.

To sell/buy a SORN car, regardless if it fails its MOT, will require the buyer to tax the vehicle before collection, as this can result in several offences being committed.

As such, many private buyers will ask for this expense to be covered by the seller as it’s not worth the hassle and risk.

When selling an MOT Failure or SORN, you must consider additional costs and implications.

Where to sell an MOT failure

There are many ways to sell an MOT failure. The most common method is to sell your vehicle to a private dealership or vehicle recycler/ car breaker/ scrap yard.

If you follow this route, it’s important to remember that a:

Car scrapyard – Car scrapyard will only collect your vehicle. You also cannot drive your car into a scrapyard with no MOT.
Car breaker – A car breaker may only consider buying your vehicle as the car parts in question.
Vehicle Buyer – A vehicle buyer in the motor trade would request the vehicle be MOT’d, as those without are seen as less desirable.

Depending on whether you want to brave it out and sell privately or you want a quick sale from a car breaker or scrapyard, it’s essential to assess your willingness to save on time, money, and hassle.

Booking a collection for your MOT failure is one of the many benefits when having it removed. Of course, who you use as a provider is important here, as price, time, effort and convenience are all important factors.

Sell Your MOT Failure Hassle-Free

Regardless if your vehicle has received a minor, major or dangerous rating, our award-winning network of car breakers and car scrap yards can pay top cash for your MOT Failure.

We can deliver the best prices on all makes and models, and we’ll also pick up your car for free and pay fast into your account.

This is handy when your vehicle has recently failed its MOT and is stuck in the garage. Don’t worry; our local collectors can pay and take it away for you.

Even if your vehicle is SORN or on a lease, our team will help with any paperwork for hassle-free car removal.

To see what we can offer for your MOT failure, call us today for an instant, guaranteed price, or fill in our enquiry form below!

Questions On How To Sell Your MOT Failure

Who can buy my MOT failure?

Both a private dealer, car breaker or scrapyard may buy your vehicle but depends on who you choose, the price offered will differ.

This is due to some buyers may require you to complete repairs for performance whilst some aren’t affected as much as will still buy your vehicle for its metal weight.
Can I Sell an MOT failure if SORN?

You can sell your MOT failure even if SORN but please be advised that the vehicle will have to be taxed in order to be driven back on the roads.

Quite often, both costs will have to be covered by yourself and depending on the extent of damage, may result in expensive repairs and garage costs.
Can I Sell A MOT failure for cash?

Most if not all private dealers will not pay a cash price for your vehicle that’s failed its MOT. This is to reduce risk.

A car breaker or scrapyard can pay cash in the bank, under the scrap metal dealers act.
What do I do if my car fails its MOT and is on lease?

If your vehicle is on finance and has failed its MOT, you will be required to complete all additional repairs and labor costs.

Depending on what category of MOT failure, this can be expensive!

If your vehicle has been written off due to being accident or flood-damaged or just damaged and broken beyond repair. This will also affect the price received.
How can I get the price for my MOT failure?

If you want to save on the hassle and haggling of selling an MOT failure privately then putting it for scrap or salvage, may provide a better option.

With all the additional fees, collection charges, and seller costs – recycling your vehicle not only helps reduce costs but always supports the circular economy of metal recycling.

Thankfully, Scrap Local’s network of licensed car breakers and car scrap yards pay top cash for all MOT failures.

Call now for an instant quote or make an inquiry online!