Buying a second car tips and MOTs

[Z064life]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a second hand car (which is really cheap eg <£500). I have seen a few with a yr to go on MOT (10-12 months normally).

The problem is, and I am new to the car market (new or 2nd hand), how do I know if the car will be likely to pass its MOT the next year? As I don't want to buy a car which fails the MOT and costs more than the car to fix.


Thanks

[sherman]

For less than £500 who cares if it makes the MOT next year. Sell it for parts and spares if it doesnt make its MOT next year and you will probably make back most of your money.

[Petrolize]

One tip would be to find out the document reference number then input this into the VOSA MOT history check online. You can find the number on the V5. You will also need the cars registration plate to do the check.
Dates + mileages at the point of its last MOT are shown along with any advisories or if it failed.
Of course on a £500 car it's never going to be perfect.

[Jamirecluse]

Do you have any friends or family that are mechanics or know about cars that could look at the car with you?

[Efbe]

Petrolize said:

One tip would be to find out the document reference number then input this into the VOSA MOT history check online. You can find the number on the V5. You will also need the cars registration plate to do the check.
Dates + mileages at the point of its last MOT are shown along with any advisories or if it failed.
Of course on a £500 car it's never going to be perfect.

+1

also get underneath the car, have a poke around with a screwdriver (gently). look for rust around the ledges.
then make sure you check the clutch well, and make sure it goes into all the gears ok.

These are the expensive things, and most other stuff will have been covered by the last MOT.

Other advice is to get a HPI check and make sure you look around a few of each model car. what the seller is telling you is normal for a car is often not. seeing a few lets you know when something stands out as being odd, for instance feeling of clutch, gearbox etc.

[Z064life]

Hi,

I have some relatives who are mechanics, yes. I may ask them for advice.


I guess I am really looking for a way to find a car and do some sort of electronic check to prove that it is in good condition but I guess the only way to tell is by having a look around/test drive (like mentioned here). I will do the HPI check, but the problem I guess is that nobody can predict the future?

Do I need to MOT a car which won't be driven?

[littleredrooster]

Efbe said:

.....then make sure you check the clutch well, and make sure it goes into all the gears ok....

Nowt to do with MOT.

[littleredrooster]

Z064life said:

...Do I need to MOT a car which won't be driven?

Eh??

[Efbe]

littleredrooster said:

Efbe said:

.....then make sure you check the clutch well, and make sure it goes into all the gears ok....

Nowt to do with MOT.

aye, that's what I said. which is why you need to check them, as they won't have been covered by the MOT...

[onomatopoeia]

Z064life said:

Do I need to MOT a car which won't be driven?

If it's kept off the road, no.

[andy-xr]

Headgasket and cam belt from the sounds of it around here recently

[Z064life]

onomatopoeia said:

If it's kept off the road, no.

In my case, the car won't be driven but will be there to accumulate NCB.

Where can I get more information on the law in this case? I haven't found any info on not needing MOT for a car not being driven.


Thanks

[onomatopoeia]

I imagine the department of transport website will have the information. You need an MOT to use a car on the road (including parking it) unless taking it to or from a previously booked MOT test or a place where repairs required for a failed MOT will be carried out - for those journeys the car is classed as an exempt vehicle.

You need an MOT to get a tax disc, but it only needs to be valid on the day of issue or day the disc comes into force, if later.

If you're not using the car you can declare it SORN which saves you needing to get a tax disc.

[hidetheelephants]

It would be cheaper to buy a knackered moped for £50 and insure that; easier to get rid of afterwards also.

[SLCZ3]

Check out what the advisories are with the MOT, these should give you an indication of what may need attention in the months to follow.