Can you drive a car to the scrapyard without an MOT?
Last updated September 29, 2022
If your vehicle fails its MOT and you don’t want to pay for expensive repairs, the best solution for you might be to scrap your car. Of course, you’ll need to get your car to the scrapyard to do this. However, you may be wondering what restrictions apply when it comes to taking a vehicle without an MOT certificate to be scrapped.
In this article, we will explain the legislation surrounding this matter. We’ll cover the circumstances under which you can and cannot drive your vehicle to the scrapyard, the alternative transport methods available - and the penalties you may face for failing to comply.
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Can you drive a car without an MOT to be scrapped?
No, you can’t drive your car to a scrapyard if it doesn’t have a valid MOT certificate. It’s illegal to drive a car that has failed its MOT anywhere, as they are not considered safe for use on the road.
In fact, you could face MOT fines if you drive to the scrapyard without your MOT.
Are there any exceptions to this?
There are only two situations where it is legal to drive a car that has failed its MOT. The first is to take your car to a pre-arranged MOT appointment, such as to re-take the test. You are also legally allowed to drive your car to pre-arranged garage appointments for repairs. There are still strict guidelines surrounding these exceptions – your vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition, and you’ll need special cover from your insurance provider.
What happens if I take my MOT early?
If, for any reason, you’ve taken your MOT early and the vehicle has failed, you may be able to drive your car to the scrapyard if it meets certain requirements. To drive the vehicle away, your previous MOT must still be valid, and the most recent MOT should not have picked up on any dangerous problems, having only failed on minor faults.
If you fail your MOT due to a dangerous fault being identified, you must stop driving the car immediately, even if your previous MOT is still valid.
What happens if I’m caught driving without an MOT?
If you are ever caught driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate, you’ll most likely face some serious consequences. At the very least, you’ll be fined up to £1,000, though this could be increased to £2,500 if the vehicle is deemed too dangerous to drive. You will also likely receive points on your licence and could even be banned from driving.
How can I scrap my car without an MOT?
If your car has failed its MOT and you decide to scrap your car, you can do this at one of webuyanycar’s 500+ branches across the UK. Simply enter your registration number now and receive a quote in 30 seconds.
My car has an MOT but it’s SORN, can I still drive it to get scrapped?
If you have a valid MOT certificate but your vehicle is SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), you’ll need to tax and insure the car before you are able to drive it again. If you do this, you can drive your vehicle to the scrapyard, though it’s generally more cost-effective to organise an alternative means to transport your vehicle.
What should I do if I can’t drive my car to the scrapyard?
If you can’t drive your car to the scrapyard, you should organise a service to collect the car from your home for you. In your local area, there will likely be an organisation that you can hire to tow your car to the scrapyard.