Step 1: Work out roughly why it will not run
You do not need a full diagnosis, but the cause changes the picture. A flat battery after months of standing is very different from a seized engine. Useful things to note:
- Does the dashboard light up when you turn the key or press start?
- Does the engine turn over, start briefly, or do nothing at all?
- Were there warning messages, noises, smoke or a loss of power just before it stopped?
- Has anyone tried to repair or restart it since?
Some faults stop a car from starting even though the engine itself is sound. On 2016 onwards Land Rover diesels, for example, a persistent AdBlue system fault can trigger a countdown that ends with the engine refusing to start (iFixAdBlue). Others, such as timing chain or crankshaft failure, involve engine damage. Our guides to engine failure and timing chain failure explain those in more detail.
If a garage has looked at the car, ask for their findings in writing. If not, a clear description of the symptoms is still useful.
Step 2: Decide whether repairing first makes sense
Getting the car running before you sell can be worth it when the cause is simple and confirmed, such as a battery. It is harder to justify when the fault is unknown or the engine or gearbox is damaged. Think about:
- how certain the diagnosis is, and what could still be unknown
- the overall condition of the car, including mileage, bodywork and other faults
- whether a repair quote is fixed or open ended
- whether you would keep the car once it is fixed
If the answer is unclear, selling as it stands avoids spending money on a car you then sell anyway.
Step 3: Check the legal basics
MOT
If the MOT has run out, you cannot drive or park the vehicle on the road, except to a pre arranged MOT test or to somewhere it is being repaired. You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT (GOV.UK). Any permitted journey still requires the car to be roadworthy, insured and to meet applicable tax rules. An expired MOT exception does not permit driving to a buyer. Do not drive a vehicle with dangerous defects. A major failure is not permission to drive: the remaining MOT validity and roadworthiness requirements still apply (GOV.UK).
Tax and SORN
If you keep the car off public roads without taxing it, you must make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). Keep it on private land, such as a driveway or in a garage. A SORN does not permit general use on public roads. It ends when you sell the vehicle and does not transfer to the new keeper (GOV.UK).
Finance
If the car is on hire purchase or PCP, the finance company owns it until the agreement is settled. Your lender can give you a settlement figure (Auto Trader). Always tell a buyer about outstanding finance.
Step 4: Gather what a buyer will ask
Having these ready saves time and helps avoid surprises at collection:
- registration, model, engine and approximate mileage
- what happened and the current symptoms
- any garage findings or quotes
- service history you hold
- whether the keys are present and working
- any other faults or damage
- outstanding finance, if any
Step 5: Plan the collection
This is the part that is easy to overlook. A car that will not run needs suitable transport agreed with the buyer, so access details matter:
- where the car is: a drive, a garage, a street, a car park or a workshop
- whether the wheels turn and the car can be steered
- whether it is stuck in park or the electronic handbrake is on
- whether the tyres are flat after standing
- anything that affects access, such as a gate, a narrow or steep drive, height limits or parking restrictions
If the car is at a garage or storage yard, give the buyer the address and let the site know a collection is being arranged.
Step 6: Choose who to sell to
A private buyer may be wary of a car that does not run. Other options are usually a trade buyer who buys non runners, a specialist who takes the car as a project, or, if the car really is at the end of its life, scrapping. Scrapping must be done at an authorised treatment facility, and you must tell DVLA (GOV.UK). A 2016 onwards Land Rover may be worth selling as a whole car before you consider scrap.
Step 7: After the sale
Tell DVLA that you no longer own the vehicle. Your tax is then cancelled and you receive a refund for any full months remaining (GOV.UK).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to get it running before I sell?
No. Buyers of non running cars expect them as they stand. Whether repairing first makes sense depends on the diagnosis, likely cost and your plans for the car.
Can I sell a non runner with no MOT?
Yes. Arrange collection for the sale. The limited MOT driving exceptions do not allow a journey to a buyer, and a SORN has its own narrower rules.
What if I have lost a key?
Tell the buyer. Missing keys affect how the car is moved and what is needed afterwards.
Sell a non running Land Rover
We buy 2016 onwards Land Rovers and Range Rovers that do not run, including the Discovery, Discovery Sport and Defender. We check your details and return with an offer. Collection is nationwide and arranged with you, and payment is same day bank transfer on collection. Call 01293 245488 to request a valuation, or read more on our non runners page.