Official DVSA Database

Why Use a Free MOT History Check?

Discover everything you need to know about checking MOT history for free. Learn how to verify mileage, spot fraud, and make informed decisions when buying a used car using official DVSA data.

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Enter any UK vehicle registration number on our homepage to view complete MOT history instantly. 100% free, no registration required.

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Why Use Our Free MOT History Check?

Complete History

View all MOT tests, results, and advisories from the official DVSA database dating back to 2005

Instant Results

Get immediate access to MOT history data in seconds with real-time DVSA database queries

£

100% Free

No registration, no hidden fees, unlimited checks - completely free to use forever

Official DVSA Data

Access the same official government database used by MOT test centres and garages across the UK

No Registration Required

Simply enter a registration number and get results - no account creation or personal details needed

Detailed Test Results

View complete defects, advisories, mileage readings, and test outcomes for every MOT test

Unlimited Checks

Check as many vehicles as you need - perfect for buyers, sellers, and vehicle traders

What Information Does a Free MOT History Check Show?

Test History

  • All MOT test dates from 2005 onwards
  • Pass or fail result for each test
  • Test number and certificate details
  • MOT test centre name and location
  • Next MOT expiry date

Mileage Records

  • Odometer reading at each test
  • Mileage progression over time
  • Identification of mileage discrepancies
  • Detection of potential clocking fraud
  • Average annual mileage calculation

Defects & Failures

  • Dangerous defects that must be fixed immediately
  • Major defects that caused test failure
  • Minor defects that need attention
  • Detailed description of each defect
  • Location of defects on the vehicle

Advisory Notices

  • Items that may need attention soon
  • Wear and tear observations
  • Potential future maintenance needs
  • Early warning signs of problems
  • Recommendations from MOT examiners

Benefits of Checking MOT History Before Buying a Used Car

Verify Mileage Accuracy

Check for mileage discrepancies and protect yourself from clocking fraud when buying a used vehicle. Every MOT test records the odometer reading, allowing you to track mileage progression and identify suspicious gaps or reversals that indicate tampering. Clocked vehicles can cost thousands in hidden repairs and significantly reduced resale value.

Identify Hidden Problems

Discover recurring mechanical issues and expensive failures that sellers may not disclose. MOT history reveals patterns in defects - if a car repeatedly fails on brakes, suspension, or emissions, you'll know before you buy. This information is invaluable for negotiating price or deciding to walk away from a problem vehicle.

Assess Vehicle Condition

Get an independent assessment of the vehicle's true condition from qualified MOT examiners. Advisory notices reveal wear and tear, corrosion, oil leaks, and components nearing the end of their life. This helps you budget for upcoming repairs and maintenance, avoiding nasty surprises after purchase.

Check Maintenance Quality

See how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle. Regular MOT tests with few advisories indicate good maintenance, while multiple failures and dangerous defects suggest neglect. Test frequency gaps may indicate the vehicle was off-road due to problems or accidents.

Confirm MOT Status

Verify the vehicle has a valid MOT certificate before you buy. Some sellers may claim a long MOT when it's actually expired or due soon. Checking ensures you won't face immediate test costs or legal issues from driving without valid MOT. You can also see exactly when the next test is due.

Negotiate Better Prices

Use MOT history as leverage when negotiating the purchase price. Evidence of failures, expensive repairs, or high mileage progression gives you strong grounds to request a lower price. Knowledge is power in used car negotiations - sellers are more likely to accept reasonable offers when presented with documented issues.

Avoid Dangerous Vehicles

Steer clear of vehicles with serious safety concerns. Dangerous defects recorded in MOT history include faulty brakes, steering problems, structural corrosion, and unsafe tyres. If a vehicle has multiple dangerous failures, it may have fundamental safety issues that make it unsuitable for purchase.

Plan Future Costs

Budget accurately for future maintenance based on the vehicle's history. If advisories mention worn brake pads, ageing tyres, or minor oil leaks, you can factor these costs into your buying decision. This prevents budget-breaking surprises and helps you choose a vehicle that fits your financial situation.

How to Check MOT History for Free

Checking your vehicle's MOT status and history is quick and simple. Our free service connects directly to the DVSA database to provide instant, accurate results.

1

Enter Vehicle Registration Number

Type the vehicle registration number (number plate) in the search box at the top of this page. No spaces, hyphens, or special formatting needed - our system automatically recognizes and formats all UK registration styles including current (AB12 CDE), prefix (A123 BCD), and suffix (ABC 123D) formats.

2

Click Check MOT History

Submit the form to instantly search the official DVSA MOT database. Our system connects directly to the government's MOT history API in real-time, ensuring you receive the most current and accurate information available. The search takes just seconds and requires no login or personal details.

3

View Complete MOT History

See comprehensive MOT test history including all test dates, pass/fail results, recorded mileage at each test, complete defects categorized by severity (dangerous, major, minor), all advisory notices from examiners, MOT expiry dates, and test centre information. Results are displayed in an easy-to-read format with clear explanations.

4

Analyze the Information

Review the full history to understand the vehicle's condition. Check mileage progression for consistency, identify recurring problems or patterns in failures, note any dangerous defects or major repairs, and review advisories to plan future maintenance. Use this information to make informed decisions about buying, selling, or maintaining the vehicle.

Pro Tip: When buying a used car, always check the MOT history before viewing the vehicle. This allows you to ask informed questions about failures, repairs, and maintenance, giving you a stronger negotiating position and helping avoid problem vehicles entirely.

Understanding Your MOT History Results

Pass Results

A pass means the vehicle met all minimum safety and environmental standards at the time of testing. However, a pass can still include advisory notices about items that need monitoring or may require attention soon.

What to check: Look at any advisories even on passed tests - these indicate wear and tear that could become failures at the next test. Multiple advisories on the same component across different tests suggest an ongoing issue.

Fail Results

A fail means the vehicle had one or more defects serious enough to make it unroadworthy. Failed vehicles receive a VT30 refusal certificate and cannot be driven legally (except to a pre-booked retest).

What to check: Review what caused each failure and when repairs were made. Multiple failures on the same component may indicate poor repairs or fundamental problems. Check if retests were completed within 10 working days for free partial retests.

Dangerous Defects

Dangerous defects pose an immediate risk to road safety and must be repaired before the vehicle can be driven. Examples include severely worn brake pads, broken suspension springs, or major steering faults.

What to check: A history of dangerous defects is a major red flag. It suggests the vehicle was poorly maintained or driven in unsafe condition. Be very cautious about buying vehicles with multiple dangerous defects in their history.

Major Defects

Major defects affect the vehicle's safety or impact the environment. They result in MOT failure and must be repaired before a retest. Examples include excessive brake wear, significant exhaust emissions, or damaged suspension components.

What to check: Look for patterns in major defects. Repeated failures on brakes, tyres, or emissions indicate neglected maintenance or component wear that needs addressing.

Minor Defects

Minor defects don't affect safety significantly and won't cause MOT failure, but should be repaired soon. The vehicle still receives a pass certificate with these recorded.

What to check: Minor defects that go unaddressed for multiple tests often become major defects or failures. Track whether issues are being fixed or ignored.

Advisory Notices

Advisories are observations by the MOT examiner about items that aren't defects yet but may need attention in the future. Common advisories include slight brake wear, minor oil leaks, or surface corrosion.

What to check: Advisories are early warnings. If the same advisory appears on multiple tests without being addressed, it will likely become a failure. Use advisories to plan maintenance and budget for upcoming repairs.

How to Check for Mileage Discrepancies (Clocking)

Mileage fraud (clocking) is one of the most common forms of used car fraud in the UK, costing buyers thousands of pounds. Our free MOT history check helps you detect clocking by revealing the complete mileage history from every MOT test.

Warning Signs of Clocking

  • •Mileage decreases between MOT tests
  • •Unusually low mileage increase in a year (less than 5,000 miles annually is suspicious for daily drivers)
  • •Sudden changes in mileage progression patterns
  • •Mileage that doesn't match vehicle wear and condition
  • •Gaps in MOT testing history (vehicle may have been clocked during off-road periods)

How to Analyze Mileage History

1. Check for Decreasing Mileage

Look at the odometer readings from each MOT test in chronological order. The mileage should always increase or stay the same. If it ever goes down, the vehicle has definitely been clocked. This is clear evidence of fraud.

2. Calculate Annual Mileage

Work out how many miles were added between each test. The average UK driver covers 7,000-10,000 miles per year. Variations are normal, but sudden drops from 12,000 miles/year to 3,000 miles/year should raise suspicions, especially if the vehicle is advertised as having "one careful owner."

3. Look for Consistency

Check if mileage progression is consistent over time. Most vehicles have relatively steady annual mileage. Wild fluctuations (20,000 miles one year, 2,000 the next, then 15,000) can indicate odometer tampering or replacement.

4. Compare with Vehicle Condition

Low mileage should correlate with good condition. If a car shows 30,000 miles but has worn pedals, a shiny steering wheel, heavy seat wear, or multiple brake replacements in MOT history, the mileage has likely been reduced. Physical wear doesn't lie.

5. Check Service History Against MOT Mileage

If the seller provides service history, compare mileage in service books with MOT records. Discrepancies indicate tampering. For example, if a service at 45,000 miles is dated before an MOT showing 40,000 miles, something is wrong.

What to do if you find clocking: Never buy a clocked vehicle. Report suspected mileage fraud to Trading Standards and Action Fraud. If you've already bought a clocked vehicle, you may have legal recourse against the seller under consumer protection laws. Seek legal advice immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free MOT History Checks

What information does a free MOT history check provide?

A free MOT history check provides complete test history including all test dates, pass/fail results, exact mileage readings at each test, detailed defects categorized by severity (dangerous, major, minor), advisory notices from examiners, MOT expiry dates, test centre information, and any outstanding vehicle safety recalls. All data comes directly from the official DVSA database.

How do I check my MOT history for free?

Simply enter your vehicle registration number on the homepage and click 'Check MOT History'. You'll instantly see complete MOT test history from the official DVSA database. No registration, login, or payment required - it's completely free with unlimited checks.

Is the free MOT check using official data?

Yes, all data is sourced directly from the official DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) MOT history API. This is the same government database used by MOT test centres, garages, and the official gov.uk MOT checking service, ensuring complete accuracy and reliability.

Can I check MOT history for any UK vehicle for free?

Yes, you can check the complete MOT history for any vehicle registered in the UK using just the registration number. This includes cars, motorcycles, vans, motorhomes, HGVs, and light commercial vehicles. The service is 100% free with no limits on the number of checks you can perform. Learn about MOT requirements for different vehicle types.

Why should I check MOT history before buying a used car?

Checking MOT history before buying reveals critical information: verify mileage accuracy and spot clocking fraud, identify recurring mechanical problems and expensive failures, check maintenance quality and test frequency, detect structural issues or major defects, confirm the vehicle's true age and condition, and negotiate a fair price based on the vehicle's actual history.

How far back does the free MOT history check go?

The DVSA database contains MOT test records dating back to 2005. Our free check displays all available MOT history for your vehicle from this date onwards, providing up to 20 years of comprehensive test data including every test, mileage reading, and defect ever recorded.

Can I use a free MOT history check to detect clocking?

Yes, MOT history is one of the best ways to detect mileage fraud (clocking). Every MOT test records the odometer reading, creating a chronological mileage history. If mileage decreases, has unusual patterns, or doesn't match the vehicle's condition, it's likely been clocked. This check can save you thousands by avoiding fraud.

What's the difference between advisories and defects?

Defects are faults that affect safety or the environment and are categorized as dangerous, major, or minor. Dangerous and major defects cause MOT failure. Advisories are observations about items that aren't defects yet but may need attention soon, like slight brake wear or minor corrosion. Advisories don't cause failure but should be monitored. Learn more in our guide on understanding MOT results.

Do I need to create an account to check MOT history?

No, you don't need to create any account or provide personal information. Simply enter a vehicle registration number and get instant results. Unlike some services that require email registration or charge fees, our free MOT history check is completely anonymous and unrestricted.

How often should I check my vehicle's MOT history?

Check your MOT history before the annual test to review previous advisories and address issues proactively. Also check when buying or selling a used vehicle, if you notice new problems that might relate to previous MOT issues, or if you're planning a long journey and want to verify your vehicle's condition and expiry date. Read our complete MOT guide for more tips on preparation and testing.

Can MOT history show if a car has been in an accident?

MOT history doesn't directly record accidents, but it can provide clues. Look for sudden appearance of structural defects, corrosion, or damage to multiple areas that weren't previously noted. Gaps in MOT testing might indicate the vehicle was off-road for repairs. However, for accident history, you should also check insurance databases and vehicle history services.

What should I look for in a good MOT history?

A good MOT history shows: consistent annual testing with no gaps, mostly pass results with few failures, minimal advisories that are addressed at subsequent tests, steady mileage progression matching the vehicle's age, no dangerous defects, and no mileage discrepancies. Regular testing and proactive maintenance indicate a well-cared-for vehicle. View example MOT reports to see what good and bad histories look like.

Related MOT Resources & Tools

Find MOT Test Centres

Search over 23,000 approved MOT centres across the UK by postcode or town - find garages near you instantly

Complete MOT Guide

Everything you need to know about MOT tests - what they check, when needed, preparation tips, and how to pass

Understanding MOT Results

Learn how to read MOT certificates, understand defect categories, and take action after your test

MOT Report Examples

View example MOT reports showing different scenarios including passes, fails, and mileage discrepancies

Ready to Check Your MOT History?

Enter any UK vehicle registration number to view complete MOT history instantly. 100% free, no registration required.

Check MOT History Now