Selling a car without a TÜV: Tips & where you can still get money
The MOT has expired, but the chances for your good old car to get the HU sticker again are slim? Understandable, if you think about not spending a good chunk of money again to get the old car back into shape. Read here how you can sell your car without a TÜV.
Can you sell a car without a TÜV?
Yes, in principle it is possible to sell a car without TÜV. Whether to dealers or private individuals. What can cause problems is the fact that no test drive can be made without TÜV. Of course, this can deter some interested parties. In addition, you will certainly get less money if someone decides to buy.
Selling a car with or without TÜV, which is more worthwhile?
In fact, it is a question of weighing up whether you present your car again to the responsible testing organization before selling it. A car with TÜV has some advantages:
- more money when selling
- Test drive possible
- more interested parties
- Trusted
Accordingly, these are of course the disadvantages of selling a car without a TÜV:
- less money when selling
- fewer interested parties
- no test drive possible
- Low confidence, as there could be major defects
Depending on its age and general condition of the vehicle, a car without a TÜV can be sold for several hundred euros less. If the costs for repairs of a defective car and the TÜV do not exceed the difference in sales price if the car is to be sold without a technical inspection, it is still worthwhile to hand in the car to the inspection centre. The same applies to a tire change, the repair of defective headlights or the replacement of defective shock absorbers.
To put it more simply: If you have the car repaired for 1,200 euros, but in the end you can only get rid of it for 600 euros more than without a technical inspection, then you can consider selling the four-wheeled buddy "TÜV-free".
Also, if you want to sell a car of a deceased person that no longer has a TÜV, it makes sense to see if you can still get an appropriate amount. You can also remove the environmental sticker before selling.
Can you drive a car without a TÜV to the TÜV?
Yes, that is possible. However, it is an exception and you are only allowed to drive your car directly to the nearest TÜV station without registration. No detours or extra trips are permitted.
How does a missing technical inspection affect the sales price?
We cannot give exact sums here, but it is clear that a lack of TÜV has a very strong effect on the price. So you can get significantly more money if a technical inspection has been carried out – in most cases, paying the TÜV fee is worthwhile.
Who buys old cars without TÜV? These options exist
This question is probably the crux of the whole discussion: Does anyone want the car at all if the technical inspection is missing? There are certainly interested parties who would not say "no" to an untested car. Various people can potentially be considered as buyers for your used car:
1. Private sale of cars without MOT
No one will stop you from placing a free online ad and selling the vehicle to private individuals. Of course, you must indicate that it is a vehicle without a valid technical inspection. However, many interested parties are likely to feel deterred by this, because the purchase of such a car will not be completely problem-free:
- Car without MOT must park on private property
- Test drive is not possible
- Major repairs with high costs may be necessary
A transfer with short-term license plates is also not permitted for vehicles without a TÜV certificate. So if you have fallen in love with your HU-less car with all your heart, you will not be able to avoid transporting the car with a trailer.
In order for anyone to develop an interest in the car at all, the price must be good. In concrete terms, this means for you: Without TÜV, you get significantly less money. If you just want to sell your car quickly, then the chances are quite good. If you now give the car some love in the form of a comprehensive cleaning from the inside as well as from the outside, there may be a little more money in it.
Is it possible to test drive without a TÜV?
No, a test drive is not possible without a valid technical inspection. The vehicle may not be driven on public roads.
Should you deregister a car without a MOT before selling?
Deregistering the car before selling it is safer for you as the seller – but more cumbersome for buyers. But if the car doesn't have a MOT anyway, you can also deregister it, because neither test drive nor transfer are possible.
2. Trade-In and Car Dealership
If you want to get rid of the used car and have the purchase of a new vehicle in mind anyway, you can also ask the car dealership for a trade-in. You are also rather wrong at this address if you expect enormous amounts of money for your car without TÜV. If it is simply a matter of getting a few more euros, you can have the money for the old car offset directly against the purchase price of the new vehicle.
But even if you don't want to buy a new car, you can ask a car dealership without obligation whether you are interested in buying a car without a current technical inspection. However, be aware of the negotiation skills that retailers like to show in this business - because there will be no rain of money here either.
Are there specialists for the purchase of cars without TÜV?
It is possible that you will find dealers who specifically buy cars without a valid technical inspection. But here you will get relatively little money, because the dealer will carry out the necessary repairs, have the MOT renewed and then resell the car.
How can I transfer a car to the dealer without a TÜV?
You are only allowed to drive a car without a MOT if you take it to the nearest inspection center to extend the technical inspection. If you want to sell the car, you have to transport it to the dealer with a trailer.
3. Car export without TÜV or handicraft cart
Alternatively, you can also hand in the used car to a dealer with a special specialization in car sales abroad. There, the car is then repaired cost-effectively and transported out of the country by road or water.
If there is great hopelessness regarding the roadworthiness, you can always hand the car in to a hobbyist, who will be happy about the individual parts and valuable components.
If it is a classic car, you can also be lucky at a car auction. Here it often does not matter whether the car is roadworthy or not.
4. Online platforms
Some online providers don't particularly care whether your car still has a valid MOT or not – of course, you will also receive low purchase offers here. And if you're already here anyway, you can also simply take the shortest route and sell your car quickly and easily via Carwow!
Upload all data and pictures and indicate that your car currently does not have an MOT. If you know that your car is defective, state the defects as well as possible and interested dealers will bid on your vehicle.
Buying a car without a TÜV: What do you have to look out for?
Buying a car without a MOT is risky. You don't know what repairs are due and whether the car will even survive the next technical inspection. If you are not well versed in cars, then you should be careful here.
Can you register or register a car without a TÜV?
No, you must prove a valid technical inspection to register the car.
Can you re-register a car without a TÜV?
No, proof of the passed general inspection must also be presented in order to re-register the car.
Can I register a car without a MOT with a short-term license plate?
No. As a private individual, you can only get a short-term license plate if your car has a valid TÜV. Accordingly, you cannot register your car, because it does not get a short-term license plate without a valid technical inspection.
Can I drive a deregistered car without a TÜV to the TÜV?
If you have temporarily deregistered a car and it still has a stamped license plate, then you can drive the car directly to the main inspection even without a valid MOT – the registration office must be the most obvious.
What exactly is the TÜV or a technical inspection?
"Another two years have passed, then it's probably time again: off to the TÜV!" This or something similar it sounds like when the car has to undergo the routine all-round check again. Strictly speaking, however, vehicle owners do not complete a TÜV, but a general inspection (HU) followed by an exhaust emission test (AU).
"TÜV" is merely the acronym for the Technical Inspection Association, where the HU can be carried out. So "TÜV" has erroneously established itself as a term for the legally required vehicle inspection. A technical inspection can therefore also be carried out by other testing organisations such as DEKRA, GTÜ or KÜS.
You can tell when the technical inspection is due by your TÜV sticker.