MOT History Check
Check a car's history and check for any hidden dangers. Find out for free:
- MOT Status
- Vehicle Mileage
- Reason for failure (if applicable)
What Is a MOT history check
MOT Explained (UK Legal Overview)
MOT stands for the Ministry of Transport test, which is a yearly inspection that's required to make sure your vehicle meets the legal safety and environmental standards for driving on UK roads. Once your car hits the three-year mark, it needs to pass an MOT test every year to remain roadworthy.
These tests are conducted at DVSA-approved test centres (that's the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), where they check important components like brakes, lights, tyres, emissions, and the overall condition of your vehicle. If you don't have a valid MOT certificate, you could end up with fines, and your insurance might not cover you, so it's really important to keep your MOT up to date.
Why MOT History Matters
A vehicle's MOT history gives you a detailed look at its safety record over time, showing whether it's been well-maintained or has repeated issues. Checking past results helps you spot patterns - like advisories that keep coming up or faults that could become costly in the future.
When buying or selling a used car, the MOT history is one of the most reliable ways to understand its true condition. It helps buyers make confident decisions and gives sellers proof that their vehicle has been properly cared for.
How our MOT history check works
Regit's MOT history check pulls from official data provided by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), which is the same trusted source that GOV.UK relies on. This means that every result you receive is directly sourced from the government's database - no guesswork involved.
Just enter your vehicle registration, and you'll get immediate access to its complete MOT history, including test dates, results, mileages, and advisories.
What You'll Get from this MOT history checker
We will provide for each car, the following information on a car's MOT History, free as a digital service.
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Date of Test
Records when each MOT test took place, letting you keep a simple track of future dates and helping you notice trends ahead of time. It's important to know the last date of your MOT test, as driving without a valid MOT will land you a fine. -
Test Result (Pass or Fail)
Get the most out of your report – at once. Scan through the results to pick out what you need. The simple Pass or Fail system gives you lightning-speed insight into the car's condition. -
Test Expiry Date
This date says when the MOT expires, and as a result, shows the deadline for your next MOT test. Difficult to keep track of, yet vitally important – it is displayed clearly for your benefit. -
Odometer reading at test (mileage)
As part of your MOT test, your car will be provided with a free mileage test. This will be noted down onto your MOT and is a convenient way of keeping track of a vehicle's state. -
Reason for MOT failure (if applicable)
A useful addition to your typical MOT report, this section will give you a specific answer as to why the vehicle failed the MOT test. Great for noticing patterns and checking them ahead of time.
How to interpret MOT history results
Passes vs Fails
MOT pass: means the vehicle met the minimum legal safety and emissions standards on the day of the test, so it was road legal at that time.
MOT fail: means at least one defect was serious enough that the car could not legally be driven until it was repaired and retested. If a car fails, you usually need a re-test after the faults are fixed, and in some cases, it can only be driven to or from a garage for repairs. Repeated failures in an MOT history can point to ongoing issues or poor maintenance over the years.
How to Read Advisories
Advisories are reminders about parts that are worn down, beginning to fail, or nearing the legal limit but still pass the MOT. It's not unusual to have one or two advisories that change as time goes on, reflecting normal wear and tear.
However, if the same advisory keeps showing up year after year, it could mean that some repairs have been neglected. A long list of advisories, particularly around brakes, tyres, or suspension, might indicate that the car hasn't been maintained as well as it should be.
Mileage Inconsistencies
The MOT history provides a record of the mileage logged at each test, which should ideally increase over time. If you notice the mileage decreasing, jumping around unexpectedly, or not aligning with what you'd anticipate for the car's age, it might indicate clocking or tampering with the odometer. Any odd mileage pattern is a red flag for buyers and a reason to ask questions, request evidence like service history, or walk away from the deal.
More about the DVLA MOT history check
Check a Car's MOT History
Ever looked at a new car and wondered if the MOT records are as perfect as the seller is telling you? Well, if you have, our MOT checker tool will provide exactly that.
Simply enter the vehicle registration number of the car in question, and we'll do some clever stuff behind the scenes to provide you with a full history of every MOT test that car has been through and if it's MOT certificate it up-to-date.
We'll provide each test result, its mileage at point of test, and any advisory notices left by the MOT inspector. No longer will you be in the dark about the provenance of that new car.
Check Your MOT Due Date
In addition, we will also tell you how long is until the MOT is up for renewal and when your MOT certificate expires.
MOT Reminders
If it's your car you are checking the MOT history of, we will also set up reminders to alert you 30 days before it's due to expire. Peace of mind.
MOT Check by Registration
Our service enables you to quickly retrieve your due date by number plate. Unfortunately, without this we cannot check your date. However, you can still avail of our unique reminder service.
MOT History vs MOT Status & MOT Due Date
MOT history is the record of all past MOT tests on a vehicle – including passes, fails, mileages and advisories – so you can see how it has been cared for over time.
MOT status tells you whether the car has a valid MOT right now, and the MOT due date is the date the current certificate expires and the next test must be done by.
For example, a car might have a clean MOT history with regular passes but an expired status, meaning it is not currently legal to drive on the road. Another car could have a mixed history with a few past fails, but a current pass and a due date several months away, showing that any issues have been fixed and it's road legal today.
When you're checking a vehicle, it's best to look at all three together so you understand both its background and whether it's legally ready to drive.
Most common reasons for MOT failure and what's important to check
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Lighting & Illumination
Up to 26% of all MOT test failures can be attributed to poorly adjusted headlight direction, faulty brake lights or other faults with the car's electrical equipment. This number has steadily increased over the years, typically accounting for major issues, rather than dangerous ones.
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Suspension
Standing at an impressive 18% of all found defects, data shows that over 6,500 breakdowns are caused by potholes and poor road conditions in the first quarter of a year alone. Paying attention to any strange noises while taking a corner or passing over a bumpy road can help you avoid failing your car's MOT.
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Brakes
Accounting for about 29% of all dangerous defects and 14% of all major ones, this issue comes up worryingly often. Additionally, pay attention to the handbrake – as it also is a crucial factor when deciding whether your car passes its MOT test.
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Tyres
Despite making up 12% of all defects, they make up 60% of all classified as dangerous. Regardless of your car's service history, it's wise to check your tyres periodically, making sure they're all right. Cuts, lumps and checking with a 20p coin are all great indicators you should take a second look.
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Visibility
Cracks, chips and things blocking the windscreen may all lead to failing your car's next MOT test. Wipers can also be a source of trouble, make sure to top them up with windscreen fluid before the test.
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Body, chassis, structure
Excessive corrosion can be a threat, especially for "future vintage" type cars. Structural weaknesses or holes can also cause an MOT test failure. Especially dangerous are corrosions near steering, suspension, brakes and seat belts. Get them fixed as soon as possible, for your own sake.
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Noise, emissions and leaks
If any part of the noise suppression system is likely to become detached, then you'll fail the MOT test with a dangerous defect. Otherwise, pay attention to the emission levels exceeding limits, loud exhaust noises and any possible leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MOT history show why a car failed?
Yes, the MOT history explains why any previous tests didn't pass, pointing out specific faults. Each failed test shows the issues found, detailing what was fixed so the car could pass.
Can I check a car's mileage using MOT history?
The MOT history keeps track of the mileage at every test, so you can see a clear timeline of how far the car has traveled over the years. This makes it easy to notice if the mileage is consistently increasing or if there are any odd drops that could suggest tampering.
How far back does MOT history go in the UK?
MOT history checks cover tests since 2005, when digital government records began. This provides over 20 years of data on passes, fails, mileages, and advisories for most vehicles tested in England, Scotland, or Wales. Northern Ireland records start in 2017, and HGV records from 2018. However, for regular cars, you get a strong, long-term view of the vehicle's condition.
Is MOT history important when buying a used car?
Yes, looking into the MOT history is super important when buying a used car. It shows you the car's complete safety record, how the mileage has fluctuated, and any ongoing problems or advisories that have come up over the years. If you don't check it, you could easily miss out on signs of bad maintenance, potential clocking, or hefty repairs that the seller might be trying to hide.
What do MOT advisories mean?
MOT advisories are basically the tester's way of giving you a heads-up about parts that are starting to wear out or are nearing the legal limit. They're not serious enough to fail your car on the spot, but they do suggest that you should get them checked or fixed soon to avoid costly repairs down the line.
Is MOT history data from an official source?
Yes, all MOT history data is pulled directly from the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), which is the official UK government body that manages the MOT testing scheme. Regit's MOT History checker uses the same database as GOV.UK, so you can trust that you're getting accurate and up-to-date records without any guesswork.