Can You Move a Car Without an MOT on Trade Plates?

Trade plates do not make an unroadworthy car legal. The vehicle still has to be fit to drive, which for us means a valid MOT and a car or van that can be driven rather than pushed, towed or winched.

If you tell us there is no MOT or the car will not start, we will point you to a transporter straight away. It is the right tool for that job and it saves you a wasted booking.

GOV.UK rules for using trade plates require a roadworthy vehicle, insurance and a valid MOT unless the vehicle is exempt. We go a step further and do not offer drives to a booked MOT test. Find out more about how a driven trade plate movement works.

The car or van must be taxed where required, fit for the road and have enough fuel or charge for the first part of the drive. We provide the insurance. The keys need to be at the collection point, and if anything is missing, let our office know before we quote rather than at the gate.

Auction stock follows the same rule. Some compounds will let an unroadworthy vehicle leave on plates, but we will not, so we only dispatch once the release is confirmed and the vehicle is roadworthy.

A car with no MOT, a category write off, a van with brakes you would not trust or several vehicles going the same way as one load are all transporter jobs. We will tell you that plainly so you can book the right service first time.

Not sure which you need? Send us the registration anyway and our office will tell you which method suits the job. A quick conversation now saves a driver being turned away later.