Check MOT history.
Free, in seconds.
See every MOT test a vehicle has ever had — passes, failures, mileage and advisories — from official DVSA records.
To check a vehicle’s MOT history, enter its registration number above. You will instantly see every recorded MOT test — the date, pass or fail result, mileage at each test, failure reasons, advisory notes and the current MOT expiry date. The check is free and works for any car, van or motorcycle registered in the UK.
What an MOT history check shows you
An MOT history check gives you the complete testing record held by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) for a vehicle. For every test on record you can see:
- Test date and result — whether the vehicle passed or failed, and when.
- Mileage at each test — the odometer reading recorded by the tester, year after year.
- Failure reasons — the exact defects that caused a fail, in the tester’s own categories.
- Advisory notices — items that passed but were flagged as worn or needing attention soon, such as tyres near the legal limit or early corrosion.
- Current MOT status and expiry date — whether the vehicle is legally roadworthy right now and until when.
- Where the test took place — the area of the test centre for each test.
Computerised MOT records go back to 2005, so for most vehicles on the road today you can see the full history from its very first test.
How to check MOT history
You only need the vehicle’s registration number — no log book (V5C), no paperwork and no account.
- Step 1: Type the registration into the yellow plate box at the top of this page.
- Step 2: Press CHECK FREE. The vehicle’s record is pulled from official DVSA data.
- Step 3: Read the full history on screen — latest status first, then every previous test in date order.
Why the MOT history matters when buying a used car
The MOT history is the most honest document a used car has. Unlike an advert, it was written by independent testers with no reason to flatter the vehicle. Before you buy, look for these patterns:
Repeated failures for the same fault
A car that fails every year on different small items is usually just old. A car that fails repeatedly on the same item — brakes, suspension, emissions — may have a deeper problem that keeps being patched rather than fixed.
A long list of advisories on the last test
Advisories are tomorrow’s bills. If the most recent test lists several advisories — worn tyres, corroded brake pipes, oil leaks — expect to pay for them within the next year and use them to negotiate the price.
Gaps in the history
A missing year usually means the vehicle was off the road (SORN) or its MOT was simply late. A gap is not proof of a problem, but it is a question worth asking the seller.
Mileage history and clocking
Because the mileage is recorded at every MOT, the history builds a year-by-year mileage timeline. Mileage clocking — winding the odometer back to make a car look less used — shows up as a reading that goes down between one test and the next. If the mileage ever drops, or jumps by an impossible amount in a few months, walk away or demand proof (service records, invoices) that explains it.
What an MOT history check does not show
The MOT record covers testing only. It does not show service history, accident or write-off records, whether the car is on finance, or whether it has ever been stolen. Those checks need insurance and finance industry data, which is why they sit in the full report. The MOT history is the free first step — for a car you are seriously about to buy, it is worth combining it with a full history check before money changes hands.
When is a vehicle’s first MOT due?
In England, Scotland and Wales, cars, vans and motorcycles need their first MOT on the 3rd anniversary of registration, then every year after that. In Northern Ireland the first test is at 4 years. Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000 — and your insurance may be invalid — so if a vehicle you own or are viewing has no test history at all, check its age before assuming anything is wrong.
What the defect grades in an MOT history mean
Since May 2018, every defect a tester records has a grade. The grade tells you how serious the problem was, and whether the car passed or failed. Once you know the grades, the history is much easier to read.
- Advisory – the car passed, but the tester noted something that will need attention soon, such as a tyre wearing thin.
- Minor – the car still passed. The defect was recorded, but it does not affect safety or the environment much.
- Major – the car failed. The defect could affect safety, put other road users at risk, or harm the environment.
- Dangerous – the car failed, and this is the most serious grade. The vehicle must not be driven until the defect has been repaired.
Read the grades as a pattern, not one test at a time. A single Major for a worn tyre that was fixed and never came back is normal wear. The same fault coming back test after test is a sign the problem was patched rather than fixed. A Dangerous defect on a car you are thinking of buying is a reason to walk away.
When the MOT history is blank, short, or has gaps
When you check MOT history and find a blank record, start with the simple checks. Make sure the registration is typed correctly, with no mix-up between similar letters and numbers, and try the same registration on GOV.UK. If the vehicle is under three years old in Great Britain, or under four in Northern Ireland, its first MOT is not due yet, so there is nothing to show.
Computerised records also have a start date. For cars, vans and motorcycles, only tests since 2005 are in the record. For lorries, buses and coaches, only tests since 2018 are shown, and for vehicles tested in Northern Ireland, only tests since 2017. So an older vehicle can have a genuine history that starts part-way through its life, and only a paper certificate can prove the tests before then.
Gaps between tests usually have a plain explanation. The vehicle may have been off the road, declared SORN, or its MOT may simply have been late. If the gap is long, ask the seller why the car was not tested. If a car that should have a history shows nothing at all, ask for the old MOT certificates. With the 11-digit number from the V5C log book, GOV.UK can show where each test was done and let you download copies of the current and previous certificates in Great Britain.
Northern Ireland is different
In Northern Ireland, vehicles are tested by the Driver and Vehicle Agency, known as the DVA, rather than the DVSA, and the first test is due at four years, not three. The online history only goes back to 2017, and you cannot download MOT certificates through the GOV.UK service. If an MOT is still valid, a duplicate certificate can be applied for through NI Direct. So if you are buying a Northern Ireland car, expect a shorter online record.
Renewing early, failing, and driving without a valid MOT
An MOT lasts for a year. You can take the test up to a month minus a day before the current certificate runs out and keep the same renewal date, so a car whose MOT runs out on 15 May can be tested from 16 April without losing a day. Test it any earlier and the renewal date for the following year will change. You can also sign up for free MOT reminders on GOV.UK.
A car fails when a Major or Dangerous defect is listed. You can drive it away only if your old MOT is still valid and no Dangerous defect was recorded. If it cannot be driven away, it must be repaired before it can be used again. If you think the result is wrong, you can appeal it.
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal, with a fine of up to 1,000 pounds, and you cannot even park the vehicle on the road once the MOT has run out. The only journeys allowed are to a pre-arranged MOT test, or to or from somewhere to be repaired. You also cannot renew the vehicle tax without a valid MOT, so if the tax is due, the vehicle must be declared off the road (SORN) or tested first. Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition is a separate offence, with a fine of up to 2,500 pounds, a possible driving ban and three penalty points.
What the MOT test checks, and what it does not
The MOT is a check that a vehicle meets minimum road safety and environmental standards. During the test, a tester at an authorised test centre checks items such as the lights, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, seat belts, bodywork and exhaust emissions. A pass means the vehicle met that minimum standard on the day of the test. It is not a promise that nothing will go wrong before the next test.
An MOT is not a service. It does not check the general condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it does not cover oil, filters or other service items. That is why a car can pass its MOT and still need a service. Your MOT history may also tell you if the vehicle has been recalled for a safety reason.
There is also a limit on what a test can cost you. The most a garage can charge for a Class 4 MOT, the class that covers most cars, is 54.85 pounds, and for a motorcycle it is 29.65 pounds. Those are maximum fees set by the DVSA, with no VAT added, and many garages charge less.
Sample result — this is what your data looks like
Every test back to 2005 is listed the same way — date, result, mileage and the tester’s notes — so patterns are obvious at a glance. (Sample data shown for illustration.)
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to check MOT history?
Yes. Checking a vehicle’s MOT history on MOTBuddy is completely free, and you do not need to sign up or enter any personal details — just the registration number.
What do I need to check a car’s MOT history?
Only the vehicle’s registration number. You do not need the V5C log book or the MOT test number to see the recorded history.
How far back does MOT history go?
Computerised MOT records start from 2005. Any test carried out since then appears in the vehicle’s history, including the mileage recorded at each test.
Can I see why a car failed its MOT?
Yes. The history shows the failure reasons and defects recorded by the tester for every failed test, as well as advisory items on passes.
Does MOT history show if a car has been clocked?
It can reveal it. Because mileage is stored at every test, a later reading that is lower than an earlier one is a clear clocking warning sign.
What if a vehicle has no MOT history?
It may be under 3 years old (first MOT not yet due), recently imported, or exempt. Historic vehicles over 40 years old are generally MOT-exempt if not substantially modified.