Sell a Car Without an MOT
You can sell a car without a valid MOT in the UK. The legal restriction is on driving the car on public roads without one, not on selling it — but there are a few things worth understanding before you do.
The legal position, in plain terms
It's illegal to drive a car on a public road without a valid MOT, except when driving to a pre-booked MOT test appointment or to a garage for repairs necessary to pass the test. This applies whether you're selling the car or not.
Selling the car itself isn't restricted — plenty of vehicles are sold without a current MOT, particularly non-runners, project cars, or cars being sold for parts or export.
This is general information, not legal advice — if you're unsure about your specific situation, GOV.UK's guidance on MOTs is the authoritative source.
What to expect from buyers
Buyers of cars without a current MOT typically expect this to be reflected in the price, since they'll usually need to arrange an MOT (and any necessary repairs) themselves before the car can be driven on the road again.
Being clear about why the MOT lapsed — for example, the car hasn't been used, or it failed on specific points — helps buyers understand what they're taking on.
How to describe this in your enquiry
Select 'Expired MOT' or 'Failed MOT' as appropriate on the Sell My Car form, and mention the MOT expiry date if you know it. If the car failed its last test, note the reasons in the known problems field if you have them.