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12 months MOT advertised on used car, but check shows MOT due in 4 days

Aristophanes
Aristophanes Posts: 8 Forumite
in Motoring
Hello,

I'm looking to buy a car from a dealer on autotrader. The dealership has very positive reviews. But in the description for the car it says "12 months MOT" which I took to mean it has 12 months before it's next MOT. However I did a quick checkup of the car on cartaxcheck and it says the last MOT was just over a year ago and the next one is due in 4 days.

Is it possible there could be a genuine explanation for this or is it a definite red flag?

Thanks

Comments

  • GrumpyDil
    GrumpyDil Posts: 2,172 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It could mean they will do an mot once they have a sale lined up.
  • Aristophanes
    Aristophanes Posts: 8 Forumite
    That's a point.. they do include "free service at screen price" in the description so perhaps they'd do both?
  • harz99
    harz99 Posts: 3,792 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Home Insurance Hacker!
    Nothing unusual at all. Used cars are often advertised like this, but the dealer will only have the car tested when a sale has been agreed otherwise the MOT would need doing again and again if the car was a slow seller.


    As long as it is done when you take ownership no problem.
  • misswansea
    misswansea Posts: 58 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts
    When I bought my car the dealer got the mot done after we agreed a price (to include mot pass) I went home, sorted out insurance and tax overnight, then went back to pay and pick up the car the following day. Could have done it on the same day but it was a local dealer and that worked out for both of us.
    I guess most dealers have an agreement with a nearby mot place so they can get tests done quick.
  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,988 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Aristophanes wrote: »
    Hello,

    I'm looking to buy a car from a dealer on autotrader. The dealership has very positive reviews. But in the description for the car it says "12 months MOT" which I took to mean it has 12 months before it's next MOT. However I did a quick checkup of the car on cartaxcheck and it says the last MOT was just over a year ago and the next one is due in 4 days.

    Is it possible there could be a genuine explanation for this or is it a definite red flag?

    Thanks
    This is the best site to check. It updates very soon after the MOT (usually before I go to pick the car up). https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
  • facade
    facade Posts: 7,876 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As above replies, they will get a new MOT when you buy it.


    Otherwise if they MOT it today, and someone bought it next week, the purchaser would be on here screaming that their advertised "12 Months" MOT was actually only 11 months and 3 weeks and can they get compensation. :D:D
    I want to go back to The Olden Days, when every single thing that I can think of was better.....

    (except air quality and Medical Science ;))
  • foxy-stoat
    foxy-stoat Posts: 6,879 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    facade wrote: »
    Otherwise if they MOT it today, and someone bought it next week, the purchaser would be on here screaming that their advertised "12 Months" MOT was actually only 11 months and 3 weeks and can they get compensation. :D:D

    Yeah, mis-selling, false advertising the lot.

    :rotfl:
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