Test driving a car without MOT

[ChickenRoseNugget]

We're looking at a car at a local dealership and really interested. I've done online checks to check it's not stolen, write off, outstanding finance etc and all looks good. I've checked the MOT history and nothing major, just tyres etc. The garage have offered a full MOT and service with the car in which they'd pay for any issues or advisories.

I'd like to test drive the car before putting down a deposit, but the car has no MOT currently as it's not long expired (after they had got it)

Am I right in thinking you can't legally test drive without an MOT even on trade plates? Are you both the driver and the garage responsible if caught?

Not sure how to approach it and whether or not to just ask them to MOT it prior to agreeing to anything. Is this normal for garages who offer a full MOT and service with every car?

Many thanks!

I've just googled it, trade plates don't cover a vehicle with no MOT. It could be unroadworthy (dodgy tyres etc)
The garage should have it MOT'd first. You certainly don't want to agree to buy the car then they MOT it & find major faults, because the garage will just pass it on to you to fix.

As far as I’m aware, the only legal way to drive a car with no MOT is to the garage for its MOT.

Also, I’m more than happy to be corrected, but to me this sounds dodgy as hell behaviour from he garage.

No you can't test drive a car without an MOT, both you and the garage would be prosecuted, you for driving with no MOT and the garage for knowingly allowing it.

I think the only legal time you can drive without an MOT (in a car that needs one) is if you are driving it to the garage to get it tested/fixed.

Don't test drive a car without a valid MOT! The garage should arrange MOT before it allows tests drives to be done on the car and really ought MOT it anyway, to sell it. As yes you'd be responsible if it had an accident. But shocking they haven't arranged MOT yet as its party of what needs to be done to be able to sell it unless stating it is without mot and sold as seen.

Have the garage said you can test drive it now? Or are you assuming they won't MOT the car first?

If the garage are happy to let people take it for a test drive before buying, and are happy to provide the MOT when you agree to buy it, it seems completely batshit of them not to MOT it now.

There's also no legitimate reason for the garage NOT to get it tested and certified if they are actively trying to sell the car. Either they don't think it will pass or they think they'll have a hard time selling it for whatever reason and don't want to MOT it for a year if it's just sitting on their forecourt for that long.

The garage need to MOT it before allowing anyone to test drive it.

I've bought all my cars second-hand and they've always had valid MOT's and been re-tested before purchase too.

I am always suspicious of dealers offering new mot etc....ask them to do one and on test drive ask to take it to another mot station a few miles away...watch their reaction....!!....Avoid.....

The driver is responsible if a car is driven with no MOT

TBH I wouldn't entertain buying any car from a garage that thought this was OK. Is it possible they plan to do the MOT before letting you drive it?

@earsup

I am always suspicious of dealers offering new mot etc....ask them to do one and on test drive ask to take it to another mot station a few miles away...watch their reaction....!!....Avoid.....

Ignore this utter batshittery.

Thank you everyone!

Yes, we viewed yesterday and he offered me a test drive there and then which I refused as I had my little one with me. He said I can arrange one for any day and to let him know! I went home to put in the reg etc to check and found the MOT and tax had expired.

The guy said they do the MOT and service fresh for whoever buys it, but letting us test drive illegally makes me re-think a bit, as if I accepted yesterday I wouldn't have know the MOT had expired!

Also to add, I did research the place properly too and seemed a lovely little family run place which is now in their third generation! All reviews are brilliant so unsure if this is something they do regularly or what 😅