What you'll see
- Full MOT test history, every test on record
- Pass and fail results for each test
- Advisory notices: items that may fail next time
- Dangerous and major defects recorded
- Mileage recorded at every MOT test
- Current MOT expiry date
Why check a car's MOT history?
MOT history is one of the most powerful free tools available to used car buyers. Every MOT test records the car's mileage, which means you can trace a car's mileage over its entire life. If the mileage drops between tests, or jumps suspiciously, it's a strong indicator of clocking, a practice that still affects hundreds of thousands of cars on UK roads.
Beyond mileage, MOT advisories reveal the car's underlying condition. A car that scrapes through each year with a growing list of advisories is a very different prospect from one that passes cleanly. Recurring advisories on the same component (suspension bushes, brake discs, corrosion) tell you exactly what maintenance the previous owner neglected.
Checking the MOT expiry date is also essential before buying. A car with only days left on its MOT might need expensive work to pass its next test. Our free check shows you the exact expiry date so you know where you stand.
How to read your MOT results
Since May 2018, every MOT defect falls into one of four categories. Understanding these is essential when evaluating a used car.
Defect categories
- Dangerous - an immediate risk to road safety. The car cannot legally be driven from the test station until repaired. Examples: severely corroded brake lines, structural failure, a tyre with cords showing.
- Major - a significant safety or environmental issue. This is an automatic fail. The car must be repaired and retested. Examples: worn brake pads below the legal limit, a headlamp not working, excessive exhaust emissions.
- Minor - a defect that does not cause a fail but is recorded. It should be repaired soon. Examples: a slightly damaged number plate, minor oil leak.
- Advisory - a component showing wear that could become a failure in future. Advisories are the single best predictor of what will fail next year. A car that "passed" with eight advisories is one MOT away from multiple failures.
MOT records before May 2018 use a simpler pass/fail/advisory system, so older results may look different.
Red flag patterns to watch for
Recurring advisories on the same component across multiple years reveal neglect. If "suspension arm bush worn" appears three years running, the owner never fixed it. That repair now falls to you. Corrosion advisories that progress from "not seriously weakened" to "weakened" indicate a car rusting structurally.
Failures on basic maintenance items (bulbs, wipers, tyres) suggest an owner doing the bare minimum. A car that consistently passes with few advisories has been looked after.
Gaps in the timeline matter too. Every car over 3 years old needs an annual MOT. A gap of more than 12 months means the car was SORN (off road), abroad, or driven illegally without a test.
Frequently asked questions
Is MOT data reliable?
Yes. MOT data comes directly from DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), the government body that oversees MOT testing in Great Britain. Every MOT testing station is required by law to record test results on DVSA's system. The data is as reliable as any official government record.
How far back does MOT history go?
DVSA records go back to 2005 for most vehicles. Any MOT test conducted from 2005 onwards should appear in the history. For cars first registered before 2005, only tests from 2005 onwards will be shown.
Can I check any car's MOT history?
You can check the MOT history of any car, van or motorcycle registered in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland has a separate MOT system. You just need the vehicle's registration number.
What is the difference between advisory and failure items?
A failure item means the car did not pass its MOT and the defect must be repaired before it can legally be driven on the road (except directly to a garage for repair). An advisory is a heads-up that a component is showing wear and may fail at the next test. Advisories do not cause a fail but they tell you what maintenance is coming.
How often should a car pass its MOT first time?
A well-maintained car should pass its MOT first time more often than not. The national average first-time pass rate is around 80%. If a car's MOT history shows repeated failures, it suggests the owner was reactive rather than proactive about maintenance.a red flag for a used car buyer.
Other free tools
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MOT data sourced from DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). Last updated September 2026.