Repair or scrap? Is your car worth fixing after a failed MOT?

Put in the repair quote, what the car would be worth with a fresh MOT and a scrap price. The calculator does the sums; the guide below covers what numbers can't.

Checked against the MOT inspection manual and GOV.UK guidance · Updated November 2026

Don't know the scrap value? Get a free scrap quote – it takes a minute. For the passed value, look at comparable cars with a full MOT on the big classified sites, then knock off 10–15% for a private sale.

How the calculation works

The comparison that matters is:

Value after repair − repair cost vs what you'd get today If repairing leaves you with less than selling or scrapping the car as it is, the repair is costing you money.

It's not the same as "is the repair less than the car is worth". A £900 repair on a car worth £1,200 after passing leaves you £300 better off than a car worth nothing – but if a scrap yard would pay £300 today, you've spent £900 to stand still.

The rules of thumb

Under 25% of value: almost always repair.
25–50%: repair if the car is otherwise sound and you plan to keep it for at least another year or two.
Over 50%: think hard. You'll probably face more bills soon, and you won't get the money back if you sell.
Repairs exceed value: scrap or sell as seen, unless the car has sentimental or classic value.

What the numbers don't tell you

Next year's MOT

Look at this year's advisories and the car's MOT history. A car that's just had £700 of welding and has three more corrosion advisories is very likely to need more next year.

Upcoming servicing

A cam belt, clutch or set of tyres due soon all count. Add them to the advisory box.

What you'd replace it with

If you'd have to spend £3,000 on another car, a £600 repair that buys a year or two of reliable motoring can still be good value. The question is whether this car is reliable.

Failures that tip the balance

Structural corrosion in several places
DPF or catalytic converter replacement
ABS modules, steering racks, airbag modules
Several suspension and brake items at once on a car over 12 years old

Questions people ask

When is a car not worth repairing?

When the repair cost is close to or more than the difference between what the car will be worth after passing and what you can get for it now as scrap or sold as seen. As a rule of thumb, be cautious once repairs pass half the car's value.

How much will a scrap yard pay for a failed MOT car?

It depends mainly on the car's weight, current metal prices, whether parts are worth salvaging, and where you are. Small cars typically fetch less than large cars and vans. Get a quote with your registration and postcode for a real figure.