Scrap a Car That Failed Its MOT

A car fails its MOT when the test finds ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ problems. You get a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ and the result is recorded in the MOT database.

You can only drive the car away if its current MOT is still valid and no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed. Otherwise it has to be repaired before it is driven. Once an MOT has run out, the car cannot be driven or parked on the road except to a pre-arranged MOT test or to be repaired. GOV.UK has the full rules: MOT test result and if the MOT has run out.

That leaves three realistic options: pay for the repairs and a retest, sell the car as it is, or scrap it.

No. A car does not need a current MOT to be collected and scrapped. It is loaded onto a recovery vehicle rather than driven on the road.

Until it is collected, keep it off the road, for example on a drive, in a garage or on private land. If its vehicle tax is due to run out and the MOT has expired, GOV.UK advises registering it as ‘off the road’, because tax cannot be renewed without a valid MOT.

Your valuation comes from a person at the collection company, based on the details you give. The main factors are the car's make, model and age, its weight and materials, and which parts can be reused. The reasons it failed matter too: a failure on corroded sills affects value differently from one on worn tyres.

The valuation is given in pounds on a ‘subject to contract’ basis. The car is inspected on collection, and the valuation can be revised if its condition differs from what you described. Listing the failure items from your MOT result when you enquire is the simplest way to avoid that. More on scrap car prices.

If the car is completely scrapped at an authorised treatment facility, the facility gives you a Certificate of Destruction within 7 days. It is your proof that you handed the car over for scrap. Without it you could still be liable for traffic penalties and vehicle tax, so keep it safe (GOV.UK).