Can I Sell My Car Without MOT in Surrey?

January 10, 2026 3 min read

One of the most common questions we hear at Surrey Car Buyer is: “Can I sell my car without an MOT?” The short answer is yes, absolutely. We buy cars without valid MOT certificates every day, and the process is just as simple as selling any other vehicle.

The Legal Position

Let’s clear something up first. It’s perfectly legal to sell a car without an MOT. The important thing is that you’re honest with the buyer about the vehicle’s status. Since we specifically buy cars in all conditions, including those without MOT, there’s no issue here at all.

What you can’t do is drive a car without MOT on public roads (except to a pre-booked MOT appointment). But that’s not your problem – we’ll collect your car for free, so you don’t need to worry about getting it anywhere.

Why Do Cars End Up Without MOT?

There are lots of reasons why someone might have a car without a valid MOT:

  • The MOT expired and the car has been sitting unused
  • The car failed its last MOT and wasn’t worth repairing
  • The vehicle broke down and was taken off the road
  • Someone inherited a car that had been SORNed
  • The owner moved abroad or simply forgot to renew

Whatever your situation, it doesn’t affect our ability to buy your car.

Will I Get Less Money Without MOT?

Honestly? It depends. A car without MOT is harder for a regular buyer to purchase, which is why many people end up coming to us. We assess every vehicle on its merits – the overall condition, age, mileage, and specification all factor into our valuation.

That said, if your car is likely to pass an MOT with minimal work, it may still command a decent price. We’re fair in our assessments and won’t penalise you unnecessarily.

What If My Car Has Other Issues Too?

No problem. Many of the cars we buy without MOT also have mechanical problems. Perhaps that’s why the owner let the MOT lapse in the first place. We buy cars with engine problems, gearbox issues, electrical faults, and any other condition you can think of.

How to Sell Your Car Without MOT

The process is the same as selling any car to us:

  1. Get a free quote online or by phone
  2. Accept our fair cash offer
  3. We collect for free from anywhere in Surrey
  4. Get paid on the spot

Visit our how it works page for full details.

Areas We Cover

We buy cars without MOT from right across Surrey, including Guildford, Woking, Farnham, Epsom, Reigate, and all surrounding towns.

Ready to sell? Contact us today.

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