Full MOT History Check
Check any UK vehicle's MOT

1.What is an car MOT history check?

An MOT history check is a free online tool that shows you the full MOT record of any UK car. It tells you whether the car passed or failed its tests, what problems inspectors found, and when the MOT expires.

You just need the car's registration number to get started. The data is sourced directly from DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) records and covers most vehicles tested since 2005.

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2.How to check MOT history online

Checking MOT history online is very simple. Anyone can do it in just a few steps.

Step 1 — Enter the vehicle registration number

Go to the MOT history check box at the top of this page. Type in the registration number — the number plate — of the car you want to check. Make sure you type it correctly. Spaces are accepted but not required, for example AB12CDE.

Step 2 — View current MOT status

After you enter the registration, you will see the MOT status of the car right away. This tells you whether the car currently has a valid MOT certificate and when it expires.

Step 3 — Review previous MOT test results

Scroll down to see the full list of past MOT tests. You can see every test the car has ever had, including the dates and whether it passed or failed each time.

Step 4 — Check advisories and defects

You can also see advisory notes for each test. Advisories are small problems that were noticed but did not cause a failure — they are warnings that something may need fixing soon.

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3.What information does MOT history include?

A full MOT history report gives you a lot of useful details about a vehicle.

• MOT pass and fail records — every time the car passed or failed an MOT test. A car that fails many tests may have serious problems.
• MOT expiry date — the date by which the car needs a new test. Driving a car with no valid MOT is illegal in the UK.
• Mileage history — every MOT test records the car's mileage. You can check if the mileage shown on the car's odometer matches the official MOT records.
• Advisory notices — warnings given during a test that tell you which parts of the car may need attention in the near future.
• Defects and failure reasons — if the car failed an MOT, you can see exactly why it failed, such as brake problems, tyre damage, or lighting faults.
• Test centre details — the MOT test centre where each test was carried out.

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4.Why check a vehicle's MOT history?

MOT history tells you the truth about a car. Without checking, you might buy a vehicle with hidden problems and spend a lot of money fixing it later. There are several important reasons to check:

Before buying a used car

Always check MOT history before buying a second-hand car. It helps you understand what condition the car is really in before you hand over your money.

Verify vehicle condition

MOT records give you an honest picture of the car's condition over the years. A car with a clean history is much safer to buy than one with repeated failures.

Check mileage accuracy

Some dishonest sellers wind back the mileage to make a car look less used. MOT records show the mileage at each test, so you can spot if something does not add up. This is illegal under the Fraud Act 2006.

Identify recurring issues

If the same problem shows up test after test, that is a big warning sign. MOT history helps you identify recurring issues before they become your problem.

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5.Understanding MOT test results

When a car goes for an MOT test, it receives one of the following results:

• Pass — the car is safe and roadworthy. It gets a valid MOT certificate for another year.
• Pass with advisories — the car passes, but the tester noticed some minor issues. These do not prevent the car from passing, but they should be fixed soon.
• Fail — the car has problems that make it unsafe to drive. It cannot be driven legally until the problems are fixed and it passes a retest.
• Dangerous defects — very serious problems that make the car immediately dangerous. The car must not be driven at all until it is repaired.

Since May 2018, defects are categorised as Dangerous (immediate risk to road safety), Major (likely to affect safety or the environment) or Advisory (not an immediate failure but worth monitoring).

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6.Common reasons for MOT failure

Many cars fail their MOT for similar reasons. Here are the most common ones to be aware of:

• Lighting and electrical issues — broken headlights, faulty indicators, or non-working brake lights are very common failure reasons.
• Brake problems — worn-out brakes or brakes that pull to one side can cause a fail result.
• Tyre wear and damage — tyres that are too worn or have cuts and bulges will fail the MOT. All four tyres must meet the minimum 1.6 mm tread depth.
• Suspension defects — damaged suspension parts make the car hard to control and are a common reason for failure.
• Windscreen and visibility issues — cracks in the windscreen or worn wiper blades can fail the test if they affect the driver's view.
• Emissions failures — cars that produce too much pollution fail the emissions part of the test.

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7.Benefits of checking MOT history before buying used

Doing a free MOT check before buying a used car gives you peace of mind and can save you a significant amount of money.

• Spot potential mechanical problems — old MOT records highlight past mechanical issues that might still be present in the car.
• Detect mileage discrepancies — compare mileage at each MOT test to spot if someone has tampered with the odometer.
• Estimate future repair costs — advisory notes from past tests tell you what repairs might be needed soon so you can budget before buying.
• Strengthen price negotiations — if the car has a history of failures or many advisories, you can use this to negotiate a lower price.

Remember that MOT history is just one part of due diligence. You should also check whether the vehicle has been reported stolen, whether there is outstanding finance, whether it has been written off in an insurance claim, and the V5C logbook to confirm keeper history.

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8.How often does a vehicle need an MOT?

Most cars need their first MOT when they are three years old. After that, they need one every year. If a car's MOT expires, it cannot be driven on public roads until a new test is passed.

You can book an MOT test up to one month before the expiry date and still keep the same renewal date, so you never lose time on your existing certificate.

MOT exemptions

Not all vehicles require an annual MOT. The following are generally exempt:

• vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1980 (classic vehicles over 40 years old)
• new vehicles — not required until the vehicle is three years old
• goods vehicles with a plating certificate tested under a different regime
• vehicles used only for off-road purposes
• vehicles that have a current SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)

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9.MOT history check vs vehicle history check

An MOT history check shows MOT test results and mileage records sourced from official DVSA data. A full vehicle history check also covers finance checks, write-off records, stolen vehicle checks and keeper history.

For peace of mind when buying a used car, it is best to do both. Start with a free MOT history check here, then consider a full vehicle history report from a commercial provider if you want to go further.

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10.Tips for maintaining a good MOT record

Keeping your vehicle in good shape between tests reduces the chance of failure and keeps repair costs down.

• Follow regular servicing schedules — regular servicing keeps your car in good condition and reduces the chance of MOT failure.
• Fix advisory issues promptly — do not ignore advisory notes. Fix them quickly before they turn into serious failures at the next test.
• Monitor tyres, brakes, and lights — check your tyres, brakes, and lights regularly, as these are the most common reasons for MOT failure.
• Keep maintenance records — keep receipts and records of all repairs. A well-documented service history adds value to your car when you come to sell.

Other vehicle checks are available from DVLA and DVSA:

open_in_new Vehicle Tax Check

open_in_new Mileage Records Check

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