Every vehicle that's been through an MOT test in the UK has a publicly accessible history. Most drivers don't know it exists, and even fewer know how to read it properly. Whether you're buying a used car or just curious about your own vehicle's track record, here's what you need to know.
Where to check
The official MOT history service is run by the DVSA and available at no cost. All you need is the vehicle's registration number. The results show every MOT test the vehicle has had, including the date, mileage at the time of test, the result (pass or fail), and any advisory notices or failure reasons.
This is the same data that garages and dealers use, there's no separate "trade" version with more information.
What the history tells you
Beyond simple pass/fail results, MOT history is one of the most useful tools for understanding a vehicle's condition over time. Look for:
- Mileage consistency: The recorded mileage at each test should increase steadily. Any drops or large jumps could indicate clocking or a replacement odometer.
- Recurring advisories: If the same issue appears as an advisory for multiple years, it's likely getting worse. Corrosion warnings, for example, tend to escalate.
- Failure patterns: A car that fails on brakes or suspension repeatedly may have an underlying issue that quick repairs haven't resolved.
- Gaps in testing: A missing year could mean the car was off the road, or that it was driven without a valid MOT.
Using it when buying a car
MOT history is one of the first things to check when considering a used car. It's free, it's instant, and it tells you more about the car's real condition than most seller descriptions. A clean history with consistent mileage and no repeated failures is a strong signal. A history full of advisories that were never addressed is a warning.
Cross-reference the mileage in the MOT history with what's on the dashboard. If they don't match, walk away.
Keeping track of your own
For your own vehicles, MOT history is useful as a maintenance reference. Advisories from your last test are things to monitor or address before the next one. Revn pulls this data automatically when you add your registration, so your MOT history, upcoming expiry, and previous advisories are always visible in one place.
Your car's MOT history is one of the most underused free tools available to UK drivers. Five minutes reading it could save you thousands.
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