At Take My Scrap Car, we’re often approached by customers looking to dispose of vehicles with a failed MOT. The reason for the MOT failure is inconsequential, as the aim at this point is to scrap and recycle the car in question.
But does this mean that you can legally drive a car with a failed MOT to a scrap yard? If not, what’s the safe (and legal) way to get rid of a car that no longer has a valid MOT?
Understanding What an MOT Test Means
Contrary to popular belief, passing an MOT does NOT mean that your vehicle is then safe to drive for the next year. All it means is that it was capable of passing a series of standardised tests on the day.
Technically speaking, your car could develop a dangerous fault on the drive back from the testing centre. Something that could potentially put you and all other road users at risk.
An MOT is an essential formality to ensure that cars are kept in at least relatively decent condition and are roadworthy. It is by no means an indication that the car in question will remain safe to drive indefinitely.
When a Car Fails its MOT
There are literally thousands of reasons why a car might fail its MOT. It could be something as simple as an issue with a brake light, or it could be an extremely serious mechanical malfunction of some kind.
Either way, you’re left with two options when your car fails its MOT:
- Organise the necessary repairs immediately and keep your car off the road until they are performed
- Accept your car is no longer safe for use on public roads and send it away to be scrapped and recycled
If the repairs required to keep your car on the road exceed the value of the car itself, the latter of the two options could prove more cost-effective.
Can I Drive my Car to a Scrap Yard Without an MOT?
Unfortunately, the answer is no – you cannot drive a car with a failed MOT on public roads. The only exception is driving it to the garage to have the necessary repairs performed. But even then, you’ll be liable for anything untoward that happens along the way.
If you get caught driving a car without an MOT to a scrapping or recycling centre, you could find yourself facing a four-figure penalty. A fine that will significantly exceed the scrap value of your car, leaving you massively out of pocket.
Contact Take My Scrap Car for Convenient Collection
Thankfully, driving any kind of vehicle to a recycling centre is not necessary. At Take My Scrap Car, it’s all part and parcel of the service package we provide.
We’ll collect your car from any location in Norfolk, transport it to an authorised treatment facility and ensure it is responsibly recycled. All of which is 100% free of charge, with the added bonus of a fair price paid for every vehicle we collect.
For more information or to arrange collection of your end-of-life vehicle, contact a member of the team at Take My Scrap Car today.
