Buying a car without MOT
Discussion
A bit of a random question. Would you buy a car without an MOT, and what is the maximum you'd pay if so?
The situation is this. A specialist car has been for sale on and off for 4 years. During that time it's been serviced once then left unused.
The owner wants rid so has dropped the price. However, it's still an expensive car and has some niggles from being stood which may impact it's ability to pass without work.
When I first saw the ad I thought it was a bit of a bargain. It's 25 percent less than when it was for sale with a fresh service and MOT. However, the more I think about it, the less I'm sure.
It's basically 1 of 1, so difficult to judge value, although seemingly less than it was previously advertised as it didn't sell.
Seller doesn't want to MOT and I don't think will budge on price.
The situation is this. A specialist car has been for sale on and off for 4 years. During that time it's been serviced once then left unused.
The owner wants rid so has dropped the price. However, it's still an expensive car and has some niggles from being stood which may impact it's ability to pass without work.
When I first saw the ad I thought it was a bit of a bargain. It's 25 percent less than when it was for sale with a fresh service and MOT. However, the more I think about it, the less I'm sure.
It's basically 1 of 1, so difficult to judge value, although seemingly less than it was previously advertised as it didn't sell.
Seller doesn't want to MOT and I don't think will budge on price.
I bought one of my current cars without an MOT, drove it to one on the way home to find out exactly what it would fail on and then stuck it through the free retest the weekend after.
Need more info on the word specialized, is it a cut up car made into a pickup with bits of scaffold poles or a handmade Porsche replica?
Need more info on the word specialized, is it a cut up car made into a pickup with bits of scaffold poles or a handmade Porsche replica?
yeah the last MOT that it did have - did it pass? what were the advisories then?
cars that are stored correctly and are undriven probably wont get any worse over time - unless it was stored outside in a field. but inside in a nice dry garage... probably be alright, the worst things you'd have to worry about probably a knackered battery, old fuel in the tank and brittle, flat spotted tyres.
cars that are stored correctly and are undriven probably wont get any worse over time - unless it was stored outside in a field. but inside in a nice dry garage... probably be alright, the worst things you'd have to worry about probably a knackered battery, old fuel in the tank and brittle, flat spotted tyres.
brillomaster said:
yeah the last MOT that it did have - did it pass? what were the advisories then?
cars that are stored correctly and are undriven probably wont get any worse over time - unless it was stored outside in a field. but inside in a nice dry garage... probably be alright, the worst things you'd have to worry about probably a knackered battery, old fuel in the tank and brittle, flat spotted tyres.
It's an LS powered TVR. Mot history shows worn suspension components and a power steering leak. The rack and all suspension consumables were replaced and it had a clean pass before being stored in a dry garage.cars that are stored correctly and are undriven probably wont get any worse over time - unless it was stored outside in a field. but inside in a nice dry garage... probably be alright, the worst things you'd have to worry about probably a knackered battery, old fuel in the tank and brittle, flat spotted tyres.
I would buy a car with no MOT if it was the right price, and I'd given it a decent look over and was fairly confident the amount of work it needed was in line with the saving over the asking price. It would also depend on what needs doing. I can swap parts no problem, but cannot weld. So a frilly sill would put me off a lot more than (for example) a couple of broken springs.
In your case, if you have something that's very difficult to value then it's not black and white what "enough of a saving" would be. If it really is a unique car, then you either want it enough to pay the asking price and deal with whatever skeletons are lurking in the MOT cupboard ... or you don't. If you don't, then work out a price at which you would be willing to roll those dice, and put it to the seller along with your reasoning. The worst he can say is "no".
Things that would put me off considering buying a car with no MOT ...
A seller who doesn't have a good/logical explanation for why they won't be MOTing the car.
A car that has been sat for a considerable period of time.
A car that is rare or unusual where certain parts may be difficult/expensive to get hold of.
It appears that you have a Full House on my 'Run Away' bingo card!
In your case, if you have something that's very difficult to value then it's not black and white what "enough of a saving" would be. If it really is a unique car, then you either want it enough to pay the asking price and deal with whatever skeletons are lurking in the MOT cupboard ... or you don't. If you don't, then work out a price at which you would be willing to roll those dice, and put it to the seller along with your reasoning. The worst he can say is "no".
Things that would put me off considering buying a car with no MOT ...
A seller who doesn't have a good/logical explanation for why they won't be MOTing the car.
A car that has been sat for a considerable period of time.
A car that is rare or unusual where certain parts may be difficult/expensive to get hold of.
It appears that you have a Full House on my 'Run Away' bingo card!
When I worked in the motor trade, we would occasionally be offered a car with no MoT, often where the owner had "overlooked" getting their pride and joy tested. Across all dealers and marques I worked for, the value of a car without an MoT was the same... scrap.
Do a deal with the vendor if you can agree on the price, subject to an MoT test. If the bill to pass is too great you can walk away from the deal.
Do a deal with the vendor if you can agree on the price, subject to an MoT test. If the bill to pass is too great you can walk away from the deal.
_DJ_ said:
brillomaster said:
yeah the last MOT that it did have - did it pass? what were the advisories then?
cars that are stored correctly and are undriven probably wont get any worse over time - unless it was stored outside in a field. but inside in a nice dry garage... probably be alright, the worst things you'd have to worry about probably a knackered battery, old fuel in the tank and brittle, flat spotted tyres.
It's an LS powered TVR. Mot history shows worn suspension components and a power steering leak. The rack and all suspension consumables were replaced and it had a clean pass before being stored in a dry garage.cars that are stored correctly and are undriven probably wont get any worse over time - unless it was stored outside in a field. but inside in a nice dry garage... probably be alright, the worst things you'd have to worry about probably a knackered battery, old fuel in the tank and brittle, flat spotted tyres.
It's not an LS7 350 is it?
So what it really is, is a modified car. Before buying you need to understand how it was modified, who modified it .
I am no expert on TVR, but would suggest putting an lsi in to replace the original.engine would devalue it substantially. More so if it is not a recognised conversion.
I am no expert on TVR, but would suggest putting an lsi in to replace the original.engine would devalue it substantially. More so if it is not a recognised conversion.
As someone who owns a tatty Chimaera, buy it! 
It wouldn't have an engine conversion without having the body off so all of the usual TVR crap will have already been addressed, I'm assuming it's got cats fitted so will pass emissions and the cars are so basic that there's not much else needed for an MOT.
It wouldn't have an engine conversion without having the body off so all of the usual TVR crap will have already been addressed, I'm assuming it's got cats fitted so will pass emissions and the cars are so basic that there's not much else needed for an MOT.
Rotary Potato said:
A seller who doesn't have a good/logical explanation for why they won't be MOTing the car.
A car that has been sat for a considerable period of time.
A car that is rare or unusual where certain parts may be difficult/expensive to get hold of.
It appears that you have a Full House on my 'Run Away' bingo card!
Indeed it does. The optimism in me says he's just not the time or inclination to sort out the niggles for the MOT and has knocked several thousand off the asking so that someone would take the punt.A car that has been sat for a considerable period of time.
A car that is rare or unusual where certain parts may be difficult/expensive to get hold of.
It appears that you have a Full House on my 'Run Away' bingo card!
The suggestion of getting it mot'd on the understanding I would go ahead if it only fails in items that have been disclosed is a decent enough one. I assume if it fails it'd be stuck their until it passed or is trailored away?
I think I have talked myself out of it - I have a perfectly good TVR already and although an extra 200hp would be nice, it will never be as tidy as my current car. Maybe a turbo is in order instead..
s p a c e m a n said:
As someone who owns a tatty Chimaera, buy it!
It wouldn't have an engine conversion without having the body off so all of the usual TVR crap will have already been addressed, I'm assuming it's got cats fitted so will pass emissions and the cars are so basic that there's not much else needed for an MOT.
It'll fail because some of the instrument don't work, so potentially will have warning lights on the dash...It wouldn't have an engine conversion without having the body off so all of the usual TVR crap will have already been addressed, I'm assuming it's got cats fitted so will pass emissions and the cars are so basic that there's not much else needed for an MOT.
LS swaps are a standard TVR engine swap thing, topcats do loads.
https://topcatsracing.com/ls-series-engine-convers...
https://topcatsracing.com/ls-series-engine-convers...
ARHarh said:
So what it really is, is a modified car. Before buying you need to understand how it was modified, who modified it .
I am no expert on TVR, but would suggest putting an lsi in to replace the original.engine would devalue it substantially. More so if it is not a recognised conversion.
That's debatable (and has been, on here). I am no expert on TVR, but would suggest putting an lsi in to replace the original.engine would devalue it substantially. More so if it is not a recognised conversion.
Current price is about 8k more than a standard car. Conversation would be 25k I would guess.
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