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Discovering that your car has failed its MOT can be a frustrating and often expensive experience. One moment you’re expecting a routine pass, the next you’re faced with a list of repairs that could quickly spiral into a financial burden. For many vehicle owners across the UK, an MOT failure presents a difficult dilemma: invest significant money in repairs that might exceed the car’s value, or seek a quicker, more convenient exit. If you’re looking to avoid costly garage bills, lengthy repair times, and the stress that comes with a car that’s failed its annual inspection, selling your MOT failure to a reputable buyer could be the ideal solution.
At CarandVanBuyer, we specialise in purchasing vehicles that have not passed their MOT. We understand that not every car is worth repairing, especially when the cost of getting it roadworthy outweighs its market value. Whether your car has major structural issues, significant mechanical faults, or numerous smaller problems adding up to an uneconomical repair bill, we offer a straightforward, fair, and fast way to sell your car without an MOT. Our service is designed to remove the hassle, providing you with a transparent valuation and ensuring a smooth transaction from start to finish. Don’t let an MOT failure become a perpetual problem; let us help you turn your problematic vehicle into cash today.
From structural welding to complex engine faults, repairs can run into thousands. We buy your vehicle as-is, eliminating the financial pressure entirely.
Our streamlined process allows us to provide an offer and arrange collection typically within 24 hours of your initial enquiry.
A car without an MOT cannot legally be driven. We arrange complimentary collection from your home or workplace, saving you towing costs.
Payment is transferred directly to your bank account on the day of collection. No delays, no cheques, immediate access to your funds.
Selling your MOT failure to CarandVanBuyer is a simple, three-step process designed for speed and efficiency. We aim to take the stress out of selling a car that has failed its annual inspection, providing a seamless experience from your initial enquiry to same-day payment.
To begin, simply enter your vehicle’s registration number into our online valuation tool on our get a quote page. This initial step allows us to gather basic information about your car. Crucially, you will then be prompted to provide details about the specific MOT failures. Be as accurate and descriptive as possible – list the items that failed, any advisories you’ve decided not to fix, and any other known mechanical issues. The more information you provide, the more precise and fair our initial offer will be. This helps us understand the extent of the repairs needed and factor it into our valuation.
Once you’ve submitted your details, our expert valuation team will promptly review your vehicle’s information and the reported MOT failures. We use our extensive knowledge of the automotive market and the costs associated with common repairs to generate a competitive, no-obligation cash offer. This isn’t just an estimate; it’s a guaranteed offer based on the information you provide. We aim to make this offer quickly, often within minutes or hours, allowing you to quickly assess your options without delay.
Should you choose to accept our offer, we will arrange a free collection of your vehicle at a time and location convenient for you. This could be from your home, workplace, or even a garage where it might be awaiting repairs. Our professional collection agents will verify the details of the car and the reported faults upon arrival. Once everything is confirmed, we will process the payment directly into your bank account. The funds will typically be cleared and available on the very same day of collection. This complete process, from valuation to payment, is designed to be as swift and trouble-free as possible, allowing you to quickly resolve your MOT failure situation.
Many car owners who find themselves with an MOT failure are understandably concerned about the legality of selling such a vehicle. We can reassure you that, yes, it is entirely legal to sell a car without a valid MOT certificate in the UK. There are, however, important rules and regulations you must adhere to, primarily concerning driving the vehicle on public roads and its tax status.
The key restriction is that a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate cannot be driven on public roads. The only exceptions to this rule are when driving to or from a pre-arranged MOT test appointment, or to or from a garage for repairs required to pass an MOT. Even in these specific circumstances, the vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition to be driven, meaning any dangerous defects must have been fixed. If your car has failed its MOT and has ‘dangerous’ defects, it cannot be driven on public roads at all, even for a retest or repairs, until those dangerous defects are rectified.
When you sell a car that has failed its MOT to a service like CarandVanBuyer, the responsibility for transport typically falls to the buyer. We arrange for professional, compliant collection of your vehicle, ensuring it is moved legally and safely without you having to worry about fines or penalty points for driving an unroadworthy car. This is a significant advantage, as arranging recovery yourself can be costly.
You also need to consider the vehicle’s tax status. If your car no longer has a valid MOT, it also cannot be legally taxed for use on public roads. If you are not using the vehicle and it doesn’t have a valid MOT, you must declare it as ‘off the road’ with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). You can declare your vehicle as SORN via the DVLA website. Selling a vehicle that is SORN or untaxed is perfectly legal, and the new owner (us, in this case) will then become responsible for its legal status. For definitive guidance on MOT rules and regulations, it’s always advisable to refer to the official DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) website.
In summary, selling your car without an MOT is legal, provided you do not drive it on public roads (outside of the specified exceptions) and ensure it is either taxed or declared SORN. By using a professional vehicle purchasing service like ours, you can navigate these regulations with ease, ensuring a legal and hassle-free sale.
At CarandVanBuyer, we purchase vehicles with a wide range of MOT failures, from minor issues to significant mechanical or structural problems. Our expertise allows us to offer competitive prices for cars that might otherwise be deemed uneconomical to repair. Here are some of the most common MOT failure categories we regularly buy:
Brake faults are among the most critical and common MOT failures due to their direct impact on vehicle safety. Repairs can often be extensive and costly, prompting many owners to sell car without MOT. We frequently buy cars failing for:
Worn Brake Pads and Discs: Beyond the wear limit, impacting stopping power.
Corroded or Leaking Brake Lines: A major safety hazard, requiring immediate attention.
Faulty ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Components: Warning lights on the dashboard indicate issues that can be expensive to diagnose and repair.
Seized Calipers or Wheel Cylinders: Leading to uneven braking or reduced efficiency.
Insufficient Brake Fluid: A sign of a leak or neglect.
Fixing comprehensive brake issues often involves significant labour and parts costs, making selling an MOT failure a sensible option.
Problems with a vehicle’s suspension and steering system can seriously affect handling, comfort, and safety. These components wear over time and repairs can be fiddly and expensive. We regularly buy vehicles with these types of MOT failures:
Worn Bushings and Ball Joints: Leading to excessive play in the suspension or steering, causing instability.
Damaged or Leaking Shock Absorbers: Affecting ride quality, tyre wear, and braking efficiency.
Broken or Worn Drop Links: Connecting the anti-roll bar to the suspension, affecting stability.
Steering Rack Issues: Including leaks, excessive play, or power steering pump failures, which can be very costly to rectify.
Damaged Coil Springs: Leading to uneven ride height and compromised suspension.
Such issues often require specialist tools and considerable labour, making them prime candidates for owners deciding to get rid of car without MOT.
With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, emissions-related failures are becoming more common and can be particularly expensive to fix. If your car is emitting excessive pollutants, it will fail its MOT. We regularly buy cars with:
Faulty Catalytic Converters: Essential for reducing harmful emissions, a replacement can be one of the most expensive single repairs.
Blocked or Damaged Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF): Common in diesel vehicles, DPF issues often require professional cleaning or costly replacement.
Lambda (Oxygen) Sensor Malfunctions: Affecting the engine’s fuel-air mixture and emissions.
Exhaust System Leaks: Allowing unpurified gases to escape.
Engine Management Light (EML) On: Often indicating an underlying issue affecting emissions, such as sensor faults or misfires.
These repairs are not only costly but often require specialist diagnostic equipment, reinforcing why many choose to sell mot failure rather than repair.
Rust and corrosion, especially in structural areas, are serious MOT failure points. Welding repairs can be complex, time-consuming, and require highly skilled technicians. We are interested in vehicles with:
Corrosion to Sills, Chassis, or Subframe: Any structural rust that compromises the vehicle’s integrity is a major fail.
Rust Around Suspension Mounting Points: A critical safety concern.
Corrosion Affecting Seatbelt Anchorages or Steering Mountings: Directly impacting occupant safety.
Structural repairs are often uneconomical for older or lower-value vehicles, making we buy mot failures an attractive option.
While some lighting issues can be simple bulb replacements, complex electrical faults can be notoriously difficult and costly to trace and repair. We buy cars with:
Incorrectly Aligned or Damaged Headlights: A common failure point affecting visibility.
Faulty Indicators, Brake Lights, or Fog Lights: Essential for communicating with other road users.
Dashboard Warning Lights: Especially those indicating critical system failures like ABS, airbag, or engine management.
Wiring Loom Damage: Causing intermittent or complete failure of various electrical components.
Electrical diagnostics and repairs can be labour-intensive and require specialist knowledge, often making the decision to sell mot failure a practical choice. For more information on the types of vehicles and conditions we accept, please refer to our vehicles we buy page.
Deciding whether to repair your car after an MOT failure or to sell it as it is can be a challenging decision. It often boils down to a balance of financial considerations, the vehicle’s overall condition, and your personal circumstances. There’s no single right answer, but by considering a few key factors, you can make an informed choice.
Firstly, consider the cost of repairs versus the car’s current market value. Obtain a detailed quote for all the necessary MOT repairs. Then, research what your car would be worth if it had a fresh MOT and was in good condition. If the repair costs significantly exceed or even approach the car’s market value, it’s often more financially prudent to sell it as an MOT failure. Investing £1,000 in repairs for a car only worth £1,500 can be a false economy, especially if other issues are likely to arise soon.
Secondly, think about the age and mileage of your vehicle. Older cars with high mileage are more susceptible to ongoing issues. Even if you fix the current MOT failures, are you likely to face more expensive repairs in the near future? This is a common concern for owners dealing with selling a car that needs repairs. A car that has multiple advisories alongside its failure points might be telling you it’s nearing the end of its reliable life.
Another factor is the time and inconvenience involved. Arranging repairs, being without a vehicle, and potentially having to revisit the garage for re-tests can be a significant hassle. If you need a quick resolution and value your time, selling your MOT failure quickly can offer immense peace of mind. Our service allows you to sell car without MOT in a simple, swift manner.
Finally, consider your emotional attachment. While sentiment is important, it shouldn’t blind you to the financial realities. If your car holds significant sentimental value, you might be willing to absorb higher repair costs. However, for most, a car is a mode of transport, and a pragmatic financial decision is usually the best approach. If you find yourself asking, “car failed mot what are my options?”, selling it as an MOT failure is a viable and often sensible choice to avoid further outlay and get cash quickly.
In many cases, particularly for older vehicles with substantial repair lists, selling to a specialist buyer like CarandVanBuyer offers a more economical and less stressful path than undertaking costly and potentially ongoing repairs. We provide an opportunity to turn a problem into cash, allowing you to invest in a more reliable vehicle.
No, generally not. A vehicle without a valid MOT certificate cannot be driven on public roads, with very few exceptions. These exceptions include driving to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs necessary to pass an MOT. Even then, the vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition. If your vehicle has ‘dangerous’ defects, it cannot be driven at all until those are fixed. For this reason, we offer free collection of your MOT failure directly from your location.
The value of your MOT failure depends on several factors, including its make, model, age, mileage, overall condition (aside from the MOT failures), and crucially, the nature and extent of the MOT faults. Major structural rust or engine failure will naturally impact the price more than minor electrical issues. We provide a fair and competitive valuation by assessing all these factors. To get an accurate offer, simply use our online valuation tool on the get a quote page and provide details of the MOT failures.
This depends on the individual circumstances. If the cost of repairs is low relative to the car’s value, and you believe the car will serve you well for many more years, repairing might be worthwhile. However, if repair costs are high, if the car is old, has high mileage, or other issues are anticipated, selling an MOT failure is often the more financially sound decision. It avoids further investment in a depreciating asset and provides immediate cash.
Yes, absolutely. Advisory notices highlight components that are not yet a failure but will need attention in the near future. While these don’t constitute an immediate MOT failure, they do indicate future costs. We are happy to buy cars with advisories, as well as those that have outright failed their MOT. We consider the condition of the advisories in our valuation.
To sell your car without an MOT, you will primarily need the V5C logbook (registration document) in your name. Having any service history or repair invoices can also be helpful for our valuation team, as can all sets of keys. You will also need a form of photo identification (e.g., driving license, passport) and proof of address. We handle all the necessary paperwork for the change of ownership.
Yes, our service extends to commercial vehicles as well. We we buy mot failures for both cars and vans. The process is exactly the same: provide your van’s details and the MOT failure information, receive an offer, and we’ll arrange free collection and same-day payment. For more details, see our vehicles we buy section.
We pride ourselves on our swift and efficient service. Once you accept our offer, we can often arrange for free collection of your MOT failure within 24 hours, sometimes even sooner, depending on your location and availability. Our goal is to provide a hassle-free and rapid solution for our customers. You can learn more about our process on the how it works page.
Don’t let an MOT failure leave you stranded with an unwanted financial burden. Turn your problematic car or van into cash with CarandVanBuyer today. Get your free, no-obligation valuation and discover how easy it is to sell your MOT failure. Get your instant quote now!
For more detail on the rules and your options, read our full guide: can you sell a car without MOT?
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