Check a car’s MOT history for free using its registration number. Then read beyond the latest pass: the mileage, repeated advisories and previous failures can help you decide what to ask before a viewing.
Check the official MOT record
You will need the registration number. The GOV.UK service opens the official test history; our own vehicle lookup is not live yet.
What does an MOT history check show?
The official service lists test outcomes, recorded mileage and the next due date. Great Britain records also show defects recorded at a test. Car, van and motorcycle results are available from 2005 in England, Scotland and Wales, and from 2017 in Northern Ireland.
| Record | What to look for as a buyer |
|---|---|
| Passes and failures | Read what failed and ask for evidence of the repair, rather than judging the car by the number of failures alone. |
| Mileage readings | Compare successive readings with the advert and service invoices. Investigate a drop or an unexplained change. |
| Advisories | Look for the same concern appearing over several tests. Ask what has been repaired since the latest test. |
| Gaps between tests | Ask why the car was not tested during that period. Do not assume the explanation from the gap alone. |
How to read MOT history before buying
1. Confirm you have the right car
Compare the registration and vehicle details with the advert. At the viewing, match the VIN and V5C with the vehicle. Use our registration check guide if the details do not line up.
2. Read the newest test first
Make a short list of current advisories and ask the seller for dated invoices. A recent pass does not tell you whether every advisory has been fixed or what has changed since the test.
3. Follow the mileage backwards
Note each reading and its date. Compare the pattern with servicing and ownership records. A low annual distance may be plausible; a decreasing reading needs an explanation. Our mileage check guide explains what evidence to compare.
4. Look for recurring themes
Repeated tyre, brake or suspension notes are useful questions for the viewing. Ask specifically which parts were replaced and when. An invoice is more useful than a general statement that “everything was done”.
5. Turn the record into a viewing checklist
Take your notes with you. If a repair is difficult to assess, ask an independent mechanic to inspect it. Use our car check guide to bring the records, paperwork and physical inspection together.
What an MOT check cannot tell you
MOT history is a test record, not a complete ownership or maintenance history. It does not replace service invoices, a viewing or a test drive. Do not use a pass as proof that a car has no mechanical problems today.
It is also separate from checks for outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and stolen vehicle risks. Read our car history guide before deciding which further checks you need.
Check the tax status too
MOT status and vehicle tax are different checks. Our car tax check guide links to the official status service and explains the next steps for buyers.
More help with MOT records
If the search is blank, read what to check when no MOT history is found. To compare maintenance evidence, read MOT history versus service history. You can also use our tax and MOT check guide to review both records.
MOT history questions
Is an MOT history check free?
Yes. The official GOV.UK service is free to use with a registration number.
Do I need the V5C?
You can see the basic history using the registration. In Great Britain, viewing where a test was carried out requires the 11-digit V5C number.
Does an advisory disappear after it is repaired?
The past test remains a historical record. Ask for the repair invoice and assess the current condition rather than expecting the old entry to be removed.
What if there is no MOT history?
Check the registration and the vehicle details first. Age, test location and the scope of the official records may explain a missing history. Ask the seller for supporting documents before making a decision.
Official reference: GOV.UK — Check the MOT history of a vehicle. Reviewed 30 October 2026. Check My Vehicle is an independent guide and is not DVSA or DVLA.