How to Check MOT History for Free (and What to Look For When Buying Used)

Meta description: Learn how to check MOT history for free on GOV.UK, spot mileage concerns and repeated advisories, and understand what an MOT record won’t tell you.

To check a vehicle’s MOT history, use the free GOV.UK MOT history service and enter its registration number. You can review past test results, recorded mileages, failures and advisories. Useful information if you’re considering buying a used car or van.

How to check MOT history

1. Open the GOV.UK service. Go to Check the MOT history of a vehicle and select “Start now”.
2. Enter the registration number. Check that you’ve entered it correctly, then view the record for that vehicle.
3. Read through the test results. Look for pass or fail results, the mileage recorded at each test, and any failures or advisory items. You can also see when the next MOT is due.

In England, Scotland and Wales, the service has records for cars, motorcycles and vans tested since 2005. It can also show where a test took place if you have the 11-digit reference number from the vehicle’s V5C log book. The GOV.UK service has Northern Ireland test results from 2017; MOT testing there is handled by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), and some details differ.

What to look for when buying a used car or van

An MOT record is a useful starting point, not a verdict on the vehicle. Look at the pattern across several years and ask the seller about anything that doesn’t make sense.

Mileage that doesn’t add up

Mileage would normally rise over time, although it may increase by very different amounts from one year to the next. A reading that goes backwards or jumps unexpectedly is a reason to ask questions.

It could be a mistake in the record or another issue. Don’t assume the reason from the MOT history alone. Ask the seller for an explanation and compare the record with service invoices, receipts and any other mileage records they can provide.

The same advisory appearing repeatedly

A recurring advisory may suggest that a problem has been noted more than once without being fully dealt with. Ask whether it has since been repaired and, if so, whether there’s an invoice or other evidence.

Advisories don’t all mean the same thing, and they aren’t automatically a reason to walk away. For what the different MOT result categories mean, see our guide to MOT advisories explained.

A recent fail followed by a pass

A quick pass after a fail can simply mean the vehicle was repaired and retested. Check what failed, whether the repair is reflected in the paperwork, and whether the seller can tell you what work was done.

The pass is useful evidence of the test outcome at that time, but it doesn’t confirm what was repaired or guarantee the vehicle’s current condition.

Gaps in the record

A gap doesn’t prove that anything is wrong. The vehicle may not yet have needed its first MOT, may have been off the road, or its older tests may fall outside the records available online.

Still, ask the seller why the history has a gap, especially if it doesn’t fit with the vehicle’s age or the paperwork they’ve shown you.

What MOT history does not tell you

An MOT history check isn’t a complete vehicle history check. It won’t tell you whether there’s outstanding finance, whether the vehicle has been written off, or whether its mileage has been altered. The MOT mileages may help you spot a discrepancy, but they can’t confirm the vehicle’s full mileage history.

It also isn’t a substitute for service records. Ask to see the service history and supporting paperwork, and consider separate checks for finance, write-off history or other vehicle records. These may be available from separate services, sometimes for a fee.

The MOT record doesn’t show whether the vehicle is taxed now, either. For that, use the GOV.UK vehicle tax check.

Using MOT history for vehicles you already own

Checking your own vehicle’s record can help you keep previous test results and mileage details straight, and remind you to follow up on advisories. The underlying MOT test information comes from the DVSA, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Motorlane Fleet uses DVSA MOT data to help you track MOT dates and sends reminders 30, 14 and 7 days before they’re due. Daily walkaround checks with photos can help you keep an eye on vehicle condition between annual tests, but owners and drivers remain responsible for the vehicle.

For more on the official record and how to check any details, start with GOV.UK. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Try Motorlane Fleet with a 14-day free trial; plans start at £4.99 a month. Drivers don’t need to download an app.