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Frequently asked questions
Is this an official DVSA check?
Yes — this tool uses the official DVSA MOT History API directly, so the data comes straight from the same source as the government's own MOT history checker.
Is the MOT history check free?
Yes, completely free, with no signup required.
What can I see in the history?
Every MOT test on record: pass or fail result, test date and expiry, the mileage recorded at each test, and every defect or advisory noted, with its severity.
Why does a car have no MOT history?
Vehicles under 3 years old are exempt from MOT testing, so a new car will show no history yet. Some older or unusual vehicles may also have incomplete records.
What's the difference between this and the Full Vehicle Report?
This free tool shows the complete MOT test timeline. The paid Full Vehicle Report additionally checks finance, theft, write-off and mileage-anomaly markers, plus a valuation and full specification.
How to read an MOT history
An MOT history lists every test a vehicle has taken, with the date, the result, the odometer reading and any defects. Reading it properly tells you far more than the pass or fail alone. Start with the pattern: a car that passes every year with few notes is usually well looked after, while one that fails repeatedly or collects the same advisories year after year may have been neglected.
What the defect categories mean
Since 2018, defects have been grouped into four categories. A dangerous defect means the vehicle should not be driven until it is repaired, and it is an automatic fail. A major defect also fails the test and must be fixed before the car can pass. A minor defect is recorded but does not fail the vehicle, and an advisory is something the tester has noted that may need attention soon, such as tyre wear approaching the legal limit, or corrosion that is not yet serious. Advisories are the most useful part of the history for a buyer, because they show what is likely to need spending money on.
Mileage: what to look for
Each test records the odometer reading, so you can see how the mileage has grown over time. Steady growth of a few thousand miles a year is normal. A reading that drops from one test to the next, or a long flat period followed by a jump, can point to a clocked odometer or a data entry error. Compare the history with the mileage on the dashboard and the service book before you buy, and ask the seller to explain anything that does not match.
When a car needs its first MOT and how long it lasts
In Great Britain, a car needs its first MOT three years after its registration date, and then every year. You can take the test up to a month (minus a day) before the expiry date and keep the same renewal date. Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and penalty points. The maximum fee a garage can charge for a car test is £54.85, though many charge less. Vehicles first registered more than 40 years ago can be exempt, and Northern Ireland has its own testing rules.
Checks to make before buying a used car
The MOT history is one part of the picture. Check the keeper history against the V5C logbook, make sure the vehicle identification number and registration match, and look at the service history. Ask whether any advisories on the last MOT have been fixed, and take the car for a test drive at a range of speeds. A vehicle can pass an MOT and still have outstanding finance or an insurance write-off marker, which the MOT does not record. That is what a full vehicle history check covers, and it is worth doing before you hand over money.
Data in this tool comes from the DVSA's MOT history service, which holds digital records of tests carried out since 2005. Records for older tests and for some unusual vehicles may be incomplete. This guide is general information; always have a vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic before buying.
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