Buying a car without MOT

Hades · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:26

I'm considering viewing a car for which the MOT has run out. Aside from the obvious risks in buying something that may not pass, I wanted to check the legality of getting it home. If I decide to buy it, could I book an MOT near my home. Then when I collect it drive it straight there. If it passes then all well and good. If it fails then I just drive home, thereby saving myself any costs to trailer the car (I expect it to pass anyway).

Because I'd have an MOT pre-booked I believe it's legal for me to drive it to the MOT station (with insurance of course). Is there any flaw in my plan such as my insurance not being valid because I bought it without an MOT :confused:

It might seem an obvious question but I wanted to check.

(may have found myself a Corrado).

Berger · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:37

Depends how far away the MOT station is.

It has to be within a sensible distance ie you cant buy a car in Glasgow with no MOT but have one booked in London and plan to drive it back all the way.

[TW]Fox · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:45

There are very, very few occasions where it makes sense to buy a car with no MOT.

Not having an MOT seriously affects the value of the car, so much so that you'd have to be a complete headcase not to chuck 30 quid at an MOT and add 4 figures to the value of your car. Or you'd have to know it wont pass...

Burnsy2023 · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:48

Berger said:
Depends how far away the MOT station is.

It has to be within a sensible distance ie you cant buy a car in Glasgow with no MOT but have one booked in London and plan to drive it back all the way.

There's no provision like the one you suggest. As far as I can tell, there is not issue with your plan as long as the car is roadworthy.

Hades · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:51

The guy has offered two options: either he will get it MOT'd or reduce the price (amount not discussed) and take it without one. I appreciate it massively affects the price (but thanks for reminding me as it keeps my feet on the ground!).

It's about a 20 minute drive away. So I'd guess that's acceptable (if I buy without an MOT)? It allegedly passed it's MOT last year with no advisories. But it has been sitting in a drive unused for a while, hence the MOT running out (allegedly of course!).

To be honest, unless it's massively discounted I'll be asking him to get the MOT sorted

But I wanted to know my options before seeing the car.

EDIT: Thanks Burnsey.

Berger · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:55

Burnsy2023 said:
There's no provision like the one you suggest. As far as I can tell, there is not issue with your plan as long as the car is roadworthy.

Ok lets just say I wouldnt try it over anything over 15 or so miles.

Its asking for a huge can of worms to be opened when you get pulled over on the motorway and taken to the police service area for your car to be gone over with a fine tooth comb.

You better hope that "bargain" car you just bought is completely roadworthy or your going to have to bend over and take it.

Hades · 8 Mar 2010 at 21:59

This is what I love about this forum. I can ask a question on a dedicated car forum and wait ages for an answer. I pop in here (rarely use OcUK Motors) and get an instant debate

It's better than IRC

[TW]Fox · 8 Mar 2010 at 22:25

One make forums can be so dull.

HI GUYS THIS IS MY NEW CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
NICE CAR
Is that a goat?
TOPIC PLS THREAD LOCKED

The_Abyss · 8 Mar 2010 at 22:42

Hades said:
This is what I love about this forum. I can ask a question on a dedicated car forum and wait ages for an answer. I pop in here (rarely use OcUK Motors) and get an instant debate It's better than IRC

As Fox says, it is because most people here are enthusiasts on one level or another. Owner forums are full of spotters and stalkers.

Lashout_UK · 9 Mar 2010 at 06:51

There is no distance limit, so if the car is relatively roadworthy and has nothing obvious wrong with it, you can reasonably just book an MOT and drive back...