You generally cannot legally sell a car without a valid MOT certificate if it requires one. In the UK, any vehicle over three years old must have a current MOT to be driven on public roads, and this legality extends to the point of sale. Selling a car without an MOT significantly limits your pool of buyers, as they cannot legally drive it away. The only practical and legal way to sell it is to explicitly market it as "spares or repairs" or "for collection on a trailer."
Attempting to sell a car without an MOT as "roadworthy" is misleading and opens you up to liability. A savvy buyer will see the lack of an MOT as a major red flag, assuming the car has hidden issues you're trying to avoid fixing. The transaction becomes a private agreement that the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current, non-road-legal state. They are responsible for transporting it and getting it to pass an MOT before it can be driven.
Here's a quick breakdown of the key considerations:
| Consideration | Implication for the Seller |
|---|
| Legal Requirement | It is illegal to drive a car without a valid MOT on public roads, except to a pre-booked MOT test. |
| Target Market | Your buyers will be mechanics, hobbyists, or scrap yards—not typical drivers. |
| Sale Price | Expect a significantly lower price, often hundreds or thousands less than a car with a full MOT. |
| Liability | You must be transparent about the car's condition. Misrepresenting it could lead to a dispute. |
| Exemptions | Vehicles manufactured or first registered over 40 years ago are generally exempt from MOT requirements. |
The most straightforward path is to get the car through an MOT before listing it. While this costs money upfront for any necessary repairs, it builds buyer confidence and allows you to command a fair market price, making the sale process much smoother and faster.
