In short
- Our car checks use official MOT data from the DVSA.
- Our calculators use published UK rates, or the figures you type in.
- When a result is an estimate, we say so on the page.
- We never show keeper names, addresses or any personal details.
MOT history data from the DVSA
Our car checks, including the MOT history check and the mileage check, use the MOT History API. It is run by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and holds the same records as the free MOT check on GOV.UK.
What it includes
- Vehicle details: make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size and the date the vehicle was first used.
- Every MOT test: the date, the result, the mileage reading and when the MOT runs out.
- Every problem the tester recorded: dangerous, major and minor defects, plus advisories.
Which vehicles it covers
| Where the vehicle was tested | Cars, vans and motorbikes | Lorries, buses and trailers |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland and Wales | Tests since 2005 | Tests since 2018 |
| Northern Ireland | Tests since 2017 | Tests since 2017 |
What MOT data can't tell you
- Newer cars may have no history yet. Most cars don't need an MOT until they are three years old, or four years old in Northern Ireland.
- It shows the car on test day only. A car can pass its MOT and develop a fault the next week.
- It doesn't cover finance, write-offs or theft. Those records are held elsewhere. See "What we can't show" below.
How fresh the data is
We save each result for up to 24 hours so pages load quickly and we don't overload the DVSA's service. If a car had its MOT today, the new test may take a day to appear on VehicleMonkey.
Licence
MOT data is Crown copyright. We use it under the terms of the Open Government Licence.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
How we write our summaries
The summary on each check is worked out from the MOT data using fixed rules. It is not a guess and it is not an opinion. For example, we flag:
- Mileage problems: a reading that is lower than an earlier one, or a long gap between tests.
- Repeat faults: the same problem recorded at more than one MOT.
- Recent advisories: items the tester warned about at the latest MOT, which may still need work.
The summary helps you spot things worth asking the seller about. It is not a mechanical inspection, so we always suggest getting a car checked by a qualified mechanic before you buy it.
Road tax rates
Our road tax calculator uses the vehicle tax rates published by the government on GOV.UK. New rates start each April, and we update the calculator when they do.
For now, you type in the CO₂ figure yourself. You'll find it on the V5C log book. We'll fill it in for you automatically once the DVLA opens access to its vehicle data to new sites.
Number plate dates
Our number plate year checker uses the DVLA's age identifier system, the two numbers in the middle of a modern plate. New identifiers start on 1 March and 1 September each year, and we add each one on the day it starts.
Figures you enter
Some tools, like the fuel cost calculator, work only with the numbers you type in, such as your mileage, MPG and fuel price. The sums are done in your browser. We don't store your figures.
When we give an estimate
Some answers can't be looked up directly, so we work them out from the data we have. For example, whether a car meets the ULEZ standard depends on its Euro emissions rating, which isn't in the MOT record. We estimate it from the fuel type and the date the car was first registered, using the standards published by Transport for London.
Whenever a result is an estimate, we label it clearly and link to the official checker so you can confirm it.
What we can't show
| Record | Who holds it | How to check it |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding finance | Finance companies, through private databases | A paid history check. Our guide on checking for outstanding car finance explains how. |
| Insurance write-offs | Insurers, through the insurance industry's register | A paid history check, or ask to see the V5C. Read how to check if a car has been written off. |
| Stolen vehicle records | The police | A paid history check. See how to check if a car is stolen. |
| Keeper names and addresses | The DVLA | Only released for reasons set by law, such as parking enforcement. No car check can show them, and we never will. |
Spotted something wrong?
If a result doesn't look right, please tell us and include the registration number. If the problem is in the MOT record itself, such as a wrong mileage reading, it needs to be fixed at the source. The MOT centre that did the test can ask the DVSA to correct it.