Free MOT history check

What the MOT history shows you

The DVSA records every MOT test carried out in England, Scotland and Wales since 2005. That history is the cheapest and most reliable insight into how a car has been treated, and it is free to view here.

• Current MOT status and the exact expiry date.
• Every test result, in date order, with the test date.
• The odometer reading recorded at each test — the basis of any clocking check.
• Failure items, so you can see what was wrong and whether it was ever properly fixed.
• Advisory notes, the best early warning of upcoming repair bills.

How to read the advisories

An advisory is something the tester noticed that is not yet a failure. Corrosion advisories on structural components, repeated brake or suspension advisories, and tyre notes appearing year after year all point to deferred maintenance. A car with a long clean history is worth paying more for.

Mileage gaps are a red flag

Look at the mileage recorded at each test. A car that covers 12,000 miles a year and then suddenly records only 2,000 across a gap, or a reading lower than an earlier test, needs explaining. Our paid report cross-references MOT readings against trade and service records and flags every anomaly automatically.

What the MOT does not cover

An MOT is a minimum roadworthiness test on the day. It says nothing about engine or gearbox condition, service history, outstanding finance, or whether the car has been written off. Those need the full history check.