When selling your car, the aim of the game is to instil buyers with confidence about its condition and reliability. Having a recent MOT certificate can go a long way in this regard.
It’s compulsory for all UK cars over three years old to undertake an annual MOT (Ministry of Transport) test to ensure their safety and roadworthiness.
Your car cannot legally be used on the roads without an in-date MOT certificate. This document declares that your vehicle is in good working condition and complies with all the legal and environmental standards set out in the MOT checklist.
In this guide, we’ll clarify exactly how an MOT can impact your car’s value. Read on to find out whether it’s worth getting a fresh MOT when preparing your car for resale.
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How much value does an MOT add to your car?
Whether your car has an MOT certificate is one of the key factors that determines its resale value.
The amount of value added by your MOT certificate is also determined by the duration of its validity:
| MOT cover remaining | Impact on car value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| No MOT/expired | 😔Significantly lower value | Buyers see this as a risk, as the car may need costly repairs to pass an MOT. |
| Under 1 month | 😥Low value | Close expiry means buyers will need to renew the MOT immediately, adding inconvenience. |
| 1-2 months | 😐Moderately lower value | An approaching MOT date may raise concerns about potential issues for some buyers. |
| 3-5 months | 🙂Neutral to slightly higher value | Reasonable MOT coverage offers some reassurance to buyers. |
| 6+ months | 😃Higher value | Longer MOT validity indicates a reliable car with no immediate check-up needed. |
| Not Required | 😎Neutral (typically for newer cars) | Newer cars (under 3 years old) don’t require an MOT. |
It’s also important to maintain a comprehensive MOT history. If buyers can see that you have consistently maintained your car to a high standard and submitted it for MOT testing in a timely manner, this can reduce their perception of risk.
Knowing that your car has passed multiple inspections should help buyers to feel more secure, attracting more interest - and ultimately allowing you to command a higher price.
You can view your car’s MOT history by entering the reg number into our free MOT check tool.
My car failed its MOT. How will its value be affected?
Selling your car with a failed MOT certificate will be a slightly tougher endeavour, but it is possible. Although you can legally sell your car after a failed MOT, there are several reasons why its value will be affected:
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1. A risky investment and knocked buyer confidence
A motor that has failed its MOT test is perceived to be a riskier investment. In the same way that a valid MOT certificate instils confidence in a car’s safety and reliability, a failed MOT inspires the opposite.
Buyers who don’t believe your car is safe and dependable will either reduce their offer or back out of the sale completely.
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2. Increased repair costs
When your car fails its MOT test, you can choose to repair your car or sell it in its current condition. Either way, someone will need to foot the bill for the repair costs before the vehicle can be driven legally.
If you choose to leave the repairs up to the buyer, they will reduce their offer accordingly.
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3. Changing customer preferences
There is a growing demand for technologically advanced and eco-friendly vehicles in the UK.
Conversely, demand for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, especially those that fall short of modern emissions standards is falling rapidly. Due to this change in consumer preferences, your car’s value could be diminished even more with a failed MOT.
So, if you plan to sell your MOT-less car, you should be completely transparent about its status - and be prepared to receive lower offers.
Is it worth getting an MOT before I sell my car?
Getting an MOT before selling your car can impact both the sale process and the final selling price. So, deciding whether to get one is an important consideration. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of getting an MOT before selling
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Higher resale value - If getting the highest possible price for your motor is the end goal, having a valid MOT is a must. An MOT certificate assures buyers that your car has a clean bill of health, meaning they are more likely to pay a premium for it.
Getting a fresh MOT is especially beneficial if the current one has expired (or is about to). Many buyers will happily pay extra for the peace of mind that they won’t have to worry about MOT testing for a while.
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More buyer confidence - As we’ve mentioned, a valid MOT helps many buyers feel confident they’re investing in a roadworthy car that meets all the necessary standards. More buyer confidence translates to higher desirability.
With the market being as competitive as it is, more desirability makes a world of difference when selling your car.
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An easier sale process - Today’s used car buyers are increasingly prioritising ease. A car with a valid MOT can be test driven – and legally driven away by the new owner at the point of sale.
Conversely, if a car does not have a valid MOT, it’s more difficult for the owner to demonstrate it. What’s more, even if the car is sold, the buyer will need to arrange for it to be towed, as it isn’t roadworthy.
Therefore, having an MOT makes the process so much easier. Without any immediate concerns about repairs or inspections, it’s likely that you’ll have a smoother transaction, with less time spent on negotiations.
Cons of getting an MOT before selling
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Risk of failure - As your car ages, the risk of MOT failure increases. This can be a drawback if you want to sell your car quickly, because a failed MOT means unexpected repair costs or a lengthier sales process.
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Cost considerations - As of January 2025, getting an MOT test can cost up to £54.85. This can be especially daunting if your car is older with known issues, as it’s more likely you’ll discover further repair costs once your vehicle has been inspected. Therefore, if you’re looking to sell your car quickly, it might be worth selling it without getting an MOT.
Do advisories affect car value?
Advisories on an MOT test are defects found during the inspection that do not constitute a failure.
However, these defects can potentially turn into major issues in the future, so you shouldn’t ignore them. Furthermore, failure to address minor issues could hurt your car’s desirability and resale value.
Advisory notes become more common as your car gets older, as they are often caused by wear and tear. They often relate to factors such as tyre health, worn brake pads, and faulty lights. Such advisory notes can deter buyers, particularly if you’re selling privately.
Private buyers are more likely to worry about the upfront costs they’ll incur when buying a car with worn tyres or brake pads.
Advisories can affect resale value, especially for private buyers, and you can check your car’s valuation on our MOT check page.
Can you sell a car without an MOT?
Yes, you can legally sell your car without an MOT, even if it isn’t roadworthy. However, you are obligated to disclose its MOT status to the buyer – and could face a fine if you fail to do so.
It’s important to consider how not having an MOT affects the sales process and the price of your car. This can impact both you and the buyer if you’re selling your car privately:
- You can expect to attract a limited pool of prospective buyers and lower offers, making it significantly harder to sell your car at the desired price.
- A buyer is not legally allowed to test drive the car on a public road or drive the car home, which complicates the purchase with transportation planning and costs.
- Buyers will also need to obtain the MOT certificate themselves before they can insure the car. This additional hassle might deter them entirely.
However, there is a simpler option for selling a car without an MOT. If you sell your car to webuyanycar, you’ll benefit from a guaranteed sale.
Here’s how it works:
- Enter your reg number and mileage into our free car valuation tool.
- Book your appointment at any of our 500+ UK branches.
- Drive to your appointment. Happy to sell? We’ll send the money to your bank.
We’re pleased to offer a hassle-free solution for selling your MOT-less motor.
How does MOT status affect price when you sell to webuyanycar?
Here at webuyanycar, MOT status is one of the factors that our buyers consider during the final valuation process:
- Naturally, cars with more MOT cover will be valued higher, thanks to the reassurance and convenience this provides.
- Cars with limited MOT cover will typically be valued slightly lower.
- Finally, cars without a valid MOT will be valued lower, as they cannot be driven, and may have hidden mechanical issues.
Want to know how much your car is worth? Enter your reg number into our free car valuation tool now.