What an MOT check shows you
Every time a car goes in for its MOT, the tester logs the result on the DVSA's system. Put together, those records show how the owners have treated the car over the years, not just how it looks on the driveway.
- The date and result of every test, pass or fail
- The mileage the tester read off the dashboard each time
- Every fault that caused a fail
- Advisories, which are problems that weren't bad enough to fail but need watching
- The date the current MOT runs out
You also get the make, model, colour, fuel type and engine size, so you can spot straight away if the plate doesn't match the car in front of you.
A car's first MOT is due when it's three years old, or four in Northern Ireland, so a newer car won't have any tests yet. A private plate doesn't hide anything either. The record follows the car, not the plate, so you still see every test.
How to check MOT history by reg
- Get the number plate. That's all you need. You don't need the V5C logbook or the owner's details.
- Type it into the yellow box at the top of this page and press Check MOT. It works for cars, vans and motorbikes.
- Read our summary first. It sits at the top of your results and lists anything worth a question.
- Go through each test. Start with the latest one and work back.
It works the same way for your own car. Plenty of sellers look up their own record first, so they know what a buyer will see. In England, Scotland and Wales, owners can also download copies of past MOT certificates from GOV.UK.
What our summary picks up for you
Going through ten years of tests line by line takes a while. Our free MOT check reads them all first and pulls out anything that needs a second look:
- Mileage that goes down between two tests
- Gaps of more than 18 months with no MOT
- The same fault or advisory at three or more tests, which usually means nobody fixed it
- A dangerous defect at the last test
- A failed MOT with no pass since, or an MOT that has already run out
- When the next MOT is due, including the first one on a newer car
If nothing stands out, the summary says so. It won't replace a proper look at the car, but it tells you where to look.
How to read the results like a mechanic would
A long list of advisories can look scary, but most of them are normal wear on any car over five years old. What matters is the pattern.
Start with the latest test
The most recent MOT tells you what the car needs now. Advisories for tyres, wipers or a slightly worn brake pad are cheap to sort. Corrosion on brake pipes, the subframe or the sills costs more, and it only gets worse.
Check the expiry date too. If the MOT runs out in the next month or two, ask the seller to put the car through a fresh test before you buy, or take the cost off the price. You can't tax a car without a valid MOT, and driving one without it can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Look for the same advisory year after year
If the tester flagged a worn suspension bush in 2023, 2024 and 2025, nobody has fixed it. That tells you a lot about how the owner looks after the car. Ask for a receipt, or knock the repair cost off your offer.
Check the mileage makes sense
The mileage should go up at every test. Most UK cars cover around 7,000 miles a year. If a reading drops, or the seller's figure is lower than the last MOT, someone may have clocked the car. That means they wound the mileage back so the car looks less used. Walk away unless the seller can prove why.
Don't panic about a fail followed by a pass
A fail and a pass on the same day usually means the garage fixed something small during the test, like a bulb or a wiper blade. A fail for brakes, steering or rust, followed by a pass weeks later, is worth asking about.
Ask about gaps
A missing year can mean the car was off the road with a SORN, waiting for repairs or stored over winter. It can also mean someone drove it without a valid MOT. Either way, ask the seller to explain.
What the MOT results mean
Since May 2018, testers put every problem into one of four groups. Older tests just show fails and advisories.
| Result | What it means | Can you drive it? |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | A direct risk to road safety or the environment | No, not until it's fixed |
| Major | Could affect safety or harm the environment | It fails and needs repairing |
| Minor | No big effect on safety right now | It passes, but fix it soon |
| Advisory | Something the tester wants you to keep an eye on | It passes |
What the MOT record won't tell you
The MOT record only covers what the tester saw on the day. It won't tell you if an insurer wrote the car off, if there's finance owing on it or if someone reported it stolen. It doesn't list previous owners or show the service history either.
For those, you need a paid history check and the paperwork from the seller.
Questions to ask the seller
Take your results to the viewing and ask these before you agree a price.
- Were the advisories from the last MOT fixed? Can I see the receipts?
- Why is there a gap between these two tests?
- Does the mileage on the dashboard match the last MOT reading, plus normal use since?
- Do you have the service history to go with the MOT record?
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my MOT history?
Type your number plate into the box at the top of this page and press Check MOT. You don't need the logbook, an account or any payment. The same records are on GOV.UK if you'd rather check there.
Is it free to see a car's MOT records?
Yes. MOT records are public, and looking them up costs nothing here or on GOV.UK. Be careful with sites that show the basics for free and then charge for the "full report". The MOT part should never cost you anything.
Can I check a car I don't own?
Yes. Anyone can check any car with just the number plate, and the seller doesn't need to know. The record never shows the owner's name or address.
How far back does MOT history go?
For cars, vans and motorbikes tested in England, Scotland and Wales, online records start in 2005. In Northern Ireland they start in 2017. Older tests only exist on paper certificates, so ask the seller if they kept them.
The mileage on my MOT record is wrong. Can I fix it?
Yes. If the test was in the last 28 days, go back to the MOT centre and ask them to correct it. After 28 days, you report it to the DVSA online with proof of the right mileage, such as an invoice or service receipt from within a day of the test.