An MOT is indispensable for motorists on British roads, and if you're purchasing or selling a used car, reviewing its MOT history will aid in comprehending the vehicle's condition and any prior repairs it has undergone.

However, if you're not selling your car for further use but instead arranging for its collection by a scrap dealer, do you still need to provide its MOT history?

What does MOT history entail?

In the United Kingdom, it is a legal obligation to annually assess the roadworthiness of any vehicle over three years old. This assessment is an MOT, an abbreviation for Ministry of Transport. An MOT consists of a stringent series of inspections to ensure no issues with the lights, steering, suspension, emissions, and overall safety of the car. Vehicle owners must obtain an MOT certificate to demonstrate that the car has successfully passed these inspections. If it fails, the identified issues must be rectified before the car can legally operate on the roads.

Why is an MOT history valuable when selling a car?

When buying or selling cars, presenting the MOT history is typically done to substantiate that the vehicle has been well-maintained and is safe to drive. This lets the buyer ascertain whether any existing or previous issues might affect the car's future performance. Moreover, the buyer can identify which car components should have been replaced or repaired during retesting, providing insights into the age and condition of crucial elements. Another advantage is that it serves as a record of the car's mileage history, enabling detection of any inconsistencies or tampering.

Is it obligatory to provide an MOT history when scrapping a car?

If you are merely selling an old vehicle to be completely scrapped, the MOT history becomes relatively irrelevant. Since the car will no longer be driven, its condition holds no significance as long as it can be physically towed or loaded onto a lorry. Regarding monetary value, scrap cars are priced based on weight, not condition, so the absence of MOT information will not impact the valuation.

However, if the vehicle is in a good enough condition to be salvaged, the buyer or dealer may find the MOT history useful. Generally, the more information you can provide as a seller, the better. An MOT history could potentially help you negotiate a higher price.

How to access a car's MOT history for free

In some instances, MOT history can prove beneficial when arranging for the collection of a car by a scrap or salvage dealer. But what if you cannot locate or do not possess the MOT history for your vehicle? Well, if your car was tested in England, Scotland, or Wales, you can check the test results dating back to 2005 for free on the gov.uk website. To do so, you will require the vehicle's number plate or registration number. Additionally, if you wish to view the test location, you will need the 11-digit number from the vehicle's V5C logbook.

If you're considering scrapping your car, then get an instant quote with no obligation from Motorwise today.