How to check a car's MOT history
Every car's MOT record is public and free to check. Here is what it tells you, and why it is worth doing before you buy.
How do you check a car's MOT history?
Use the free government MOT history service and enter the car's number plate. It shows every MOT test on record: the date, the result, the recorded mileage, and every advisory and failure item noted by the tester. You do not need to own the car, so it is a strong tool when buying used.
What can the MOT history tell you?
The mileage at each test is the biggest tell: if it jumps around or the reading falls, the odometer may have been wound back. A long run of the same advisory (say, a slowly worsening oil leak or corrosion) shows a fault that has been left. Repeated failures on the same area point to a persistent weakness.
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Mileage that dips or jumps | Possible clocking or a swapped odometer |
| The same advisory year after year | A fault that has been ignored |
| Repeated fails on one area | A persistent or costly weak point |
| Long gaps between tests | The car may have been off the road or neglected |
What next
See what your model tends to fail on, so you know what to look for.
Sources: Check the MOT history of a vehicle, gov.uk ยท Getting an MOT, gov.uk