MOT expired? Learn if you can sell, how price changes, what dealers accept, and whether you should renew the MOT.
You can sell your car even with expired MOT. Dealers accept this and adjust price (approx. CHF 300-800 deduction, depending on expected repair costs). Private buyers are more skeptical – selling to dealers is often easier.
Expired MOT = approx. CHF 300-800 price deduction. Dealers calculate MOT renewal + possible repairs.
Swiss dealers buy cars with expired MOT. They have own workshops and renew MOT themselves.
If >6 months expired: Renewal usually not worthwhile. Dealers still pay fair price.
You have 2 main options when selling with expired MOT:
✅ Higher sale price possible (approx. CHF 500-1,000 more)
✅ Private buyers have more confidence
✅ No uncertainty about hidden defects
❌ Costs: CHF 100-150 MOT + possible repairs (CHF 300-2,000)
❌ Time investment: Schedule appointment, workshop, possible rework
✅ No costs for MOT renewal
✅ No time investment – sell immediately
✅ Dealers accept this without problems
❌ Lower price (approx. CHF 300-800 deduction)
❌ Private buyers are skeptical – smaller buyer pool
Price deduction depends on 3 factors:
1-3 months: approx. CHF 300-500 deduction. 3-6 months: approx. CHF 500-800 deduction. Over 6 months: approx. CHF 800-1,200 deduction (higher risk for expensive repairs).
Good condition (little rust, no oil leaks, everything works): MOT renewal is cheap, dealers deduct less. Poor condition (rust, defects, high mileage): Higher repair costs expected, more deduction.
Expensive car (>CHF 20,000): CHF 800-1,200 deduction (dealer has higher effort). Cheap car (<CHF 5,000): CHF 300-500 deduction (proportionality).
Swiss dealers have clear advantages when buying cars with expired MOT:
Unlike private buyers, dealers are not skeptical about expired MOT. Reasons:
Dealers deduct MOT costs (approx. CHF 100-150) + estimated repairs (CHF 200-600) + risk buffer (CHF 200-300) from market price. Result: Fair price for you, calculable effort for dealer.
What you need to consider legally:
Selling a car with expired MOT is legal in Switzerland. Important: You must inform buyer about expired MOT (disclosure obligation). If stated in sales contract, everything is regulated.
You may NOT drive with expired MOT (exception: Direct drive to MOT test center). In case of accident insurance won't pay. Transport only with trailer or truck.
For private sales: Note 'sold as seen' in sales contract and list all known defects. This excludes warranty claims. For dealer sales: No warranty needed.
Yes, sale is legal. You must inform buyer about expired MOT. Dealers buy such cars without problems – they renew MOT themselves. For private sales buyers are more skeptical.
Typically CHF 300-800 less than with valid MOT. Exact deduction depends on: How long expired (1 month vs. 6 months), vehicle condition (rust, defects?), vehicle value (expensive car = higher deduction).
Depends: MOT only 1-3 months expired + no major defects expected: Can be worthwhile (higher sale price). MOT >6 months expired or uncertain about defects: Not worthwhile – dealer still pays fair price.
Only to MOT test center itself (direct drive allowed). Otherwise driving is prohibited. If checked: Fine up to CHF 500. In case of accident: Insurance won't pay. Transport with trailer is safer.
Most yes. Professional dealers (like via autoweg) have own workshops and can renew MOT cheaply. Smaller dealers without workshop may refuse or pay less.
Yes! Our dealer partners accept cars with expired MOT. You receive fair offers with transparent price calculation. Dealers renew MOT themselves – for you this means: No effort, fast sale.
Swiss dealers buy your car despite expired MOT. No MOT renewal needed, fair prices, fast processing.