The MOT plays an essential part in upholding UK motoring safety standards. Once your car is three years old, it must undergo an MOT each year in order to remain road-legal. The test can be conducted at most local garages, and is an easy process for peace of mind when driving. If your car fails then you are left with a few options, dependent on the car’s condition. Owners with a minor fail are most likely to repair faulty components, but those with a severely damaged car would do well to consider scrap schemes or preparing the car for sale. There are various merits to each of these three scenarios, and with a few simple steps you can ensure that you achieve the best result.
Scrap Schemes
Cars with extensive damage of any nature are often too costly to renew it to successful MOT standard. This was a severe blow for car owners of the past, as they were forced to scrap their car for little money, at a dump or scrapyard. However, with growing concerns of the ecological effect of improperly recycled cars, there are now multiple UK schemes which will scrap your car for money. You can sell your MOT failure through companies like Scrap Car Comparison. Many car manufacturers also offer these scrapping schemes, in which you submit your scrap car for a significant discount off of a new vehicle. With these schemes in effect, it has now become much easier for owners to part with old cars, instead of wasting money on renewing them.
Repairing your Vehicle
If you do not wish to engage in a scrap-trade scheme, you are left with repairing your vehicle. This can either be done with the intention of continuing ownership, or with desire to sell the car once it has been returned to drivable condition. For most owners, the deciding factor is the proportion between repair costs and Kelley Blue Book valuations.
Owners of a car with low-cost repairs will often opt to continue using their vehicle. A car that is credited with a history of passed MOTs will retain a higher valuation than one that has been repaired without resitting its inspection. If you endeavour to maintain your vehicle’s roadworthy status, the car will retain its maximum value for when you finally sell it on.
However, when you are faced with a larger bill or are considering upgrading your vehicle, it may be best to repair with the intention of reselling. The second-hand car market is in constant fluctuation, and repairing your car while observing the value of similar models will signify when it is wise to sell.
If you do decide to sell your car, it is highly recommended that you keep its MOT up to date. Second-hand car buyers are very interested in the MOT status of a prospective buy, as a lengthy MOT means that the vehicle has more recently been approved. Safety is a valuable aspect and a lengthy MOT, as well as history of successful MOTs, will allow you to ask a higher price.
Remember!
Whichever path you pursue – if your car is to be used further, it is highly important that you maintain its MOT status. It is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle that has failed an MOT. You may drive a failed car to the garage only if it is booked for an MOT. It is illegal to drive a failed car to a garage for any work other than an MOT. Please arrange suitable transport for your car to be collected, in order to practise legal motoring conduct and keep UK roads safe.
