Is it worth buying a car with no MOT?

Is it worth buying a car with no MOT?

A car without an MOT certificate is simply not worth the cost and effort for the vast majority of private used car buyers. When they can get good deals on cars that are in much better condition, they’re almost guaranteed to pass you by.

What does it mean if a car has no MOT?

If your car has no valid MOT and no tax, you can drive it to a test centre. That’s because, without an MOT, you will be unable to renew your road tax. By law, your vehicle needs to have passed its MOT test to be taxed. Once it passes, however, you must immediately organise your car tax so you are driving legally.

Is it illegal to keep a car on the road with no MOT?

Whilst it’s parked on the public highway without an MOT it could be reported, resulting in you being fined and your car seized. Remember that, whilst your car has no MOT, it is illegal to drive it on the road unless you’re taking it directly to an MOT testing station for its MOT.

What happens if police stop you without MOT?

If you are stopped by the police and they request a copy of a valid MOT, failure to provide one can lead to a prosecution for non-compliance. The only time that it is not illegal to drive your car without a valid MOT is when you are driving to a pre-booked appointment at a garage for an MOT test.

How long can I drive without MOT?

If your car has failed its MOT, you can only continue to drive it if the previous year’s MOT is still valid. This could happen if you take your car in for a test a few weeks early, for example. You can still drive it away from the testing centre or garage if no dangerous problems were identified during the MOT.

Does no MOT invalidate insurance?

So, in most cases your insurance will be invalidated if you drive without an MOT and that means you’ll be breaking the law twice: first by driving without a valid MOT and second for driving without valid insurance.

Do you get 14 days grace for an MOT?

Many people believe that there is a two-week grace period for lapsed MOTs – which can allow drivers a leeway period to get their vehicle booked in for their MOT test. Unfortunately, despite popular belief, the ‘MOT grace period’ is actually a myth.

How do I get out of a car with no MOT?

If your MOT has expired, the only circumstances in which you can drive it is directly to the garage for its test or to and from somewhere to be repaired. If you’re stopped on the way by police, you must be able to prove that you have an appointment booked at the garage.

Can police tell if I have no MOT?

A vehicle that does not have a valid MOT test certificate has its registration details automatically passed onto the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) of police vehicles.

How long do you have to get MOT after it expires?

You can do MOT tests anytime within the 12-month period as long as it is before the current one expires. Re-testing is free if you complete the required repair work and schedule the second test within 10 working days of the original.

Does no MOT come up on ANPR?

No. The development of ANPR has helped with the enforcement of road tax, no insurance, no MoT etc as well as tackling other more serious offences. It will have no impact on the vast majority of motorists who use their vehicles lawfully on our roads, pay their vehicle taxes and insurance and are law-abiding.

How long can MOT be overdue?

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is printed on your current MOT pass certificate. You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT. You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.

Do you need an MOT when buying a second hand car?

If you’re buying a second-hand car, you should check it’s MOT status and arrange a test, either at the point of sale or one that you can drive to immediately. Cars travelling to a prearranged test can be driven without a valid MOT certificate. The same applies when driving to or from a garage for repairs.

Can you drive a car without an MOT certificate?

New cars don’t need an MOT certificate until their third anniversary of registration. If you’re buying a second-hand car, you should check it’s MOT status and arrange a test, either at the point of sale or one that you can drive to immediately. Cars travelling to a prearranged test can be driven without a valid MOT certificate.

What happens if my car fails an MOT?

For the safety of yourself and others, if your car is discovered to possess a defect that is deemed dangerous by your MOT tester and fails, you should never drive it from the place of testing until the fault is fully fixed and your vehicle roadworthy once more. It is unlawful to drive a vehicle that endangers lives.

How to report a vehicle with no MOT in the UK?

The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union on 31 October 2019. Report a vehicle with no MOT. Contact your local police to report a car, van, motorcycle or other vehicle that does not have an MOT. You can only report a vehicle with no MOT to the police if it’s being used on a road. This includes parked vehicles.