Can I scrap a car with no MOT or tax?
2 Nov 2026 · 2 min read · by the Motorspot team
Yes. Most cars we buy have neither. We collect on a lorry, so it never goes on the road, and the price is the same.
Yes. Most of the cars we buy have no MOT, no tax, or neither. We collect on a recovery lorry, so the car never has to be driven on the road, and an expired MOT does not change what it is worth for scrap. More on failed MOTs is on our page for selling a car with no MOT.
Does no MOT change the price?
No. The scrap value is the car's weight and the parts on it, above all the catalytic converter. A car that failed its MOT on tyres or brakes weighs the same as one that passed.
The car has no tax. Will I get a fine?
A car with no tax has to be declared SORN (off the road) and kept off the road. If it has been sitting on a drive untaxed without a SORN, the DVLA may already have written to you. Scrapping it now stops any more letters, because our Certificate of Destruction tells the DVLA the car no longer exists. You do not need to tax it before we collect. Our guide on declaring SORN before scrapping explains when it is worth doing.
Do I get a tax refund?
If the car was still taxed, the DVLA refunds any full months left once it hears the car has been scrapped. The refund goes to the address on the DVLA record, so update it first if you have moved. If there was no tax, there is nothing to refund and nothing to pay.
Can I drive it to you without an MOT?
No. Without an MOT a car may only be driven to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for the repairs it needs, and it still needs tax and insurance for that. That is why our collection is free and on a lorry.
Quick answers
Is it legal to sell a car with no MOT? Yes, to a scrap yard or for parts. You just cannot drive it on the road.
Is it legal to scrap a car with no tax? Yes. Untaxed cars are scrapped every day.
Do I need any extra paperwork? No. The same photo ID and proof of address as any other car.