Every car's MOT history is stored by the DVSA and publicly accessible to anyone who knows the registration. Checking MOT history for free is quick and should be one of the first things you do before buying any used car.
Here is how to access it and how to use what you find.
Where to Check MOT History for Free
The official service is provided by the DVSA at check.mot.api.gov.uk.
You need just one piece of information: the vehicle's registration number.
Enter the registration and you will see:
- The date and result of every MOT test since records began (typically 2005 onwards)
- The mileage recorded at each test
- Failure reasons for failed tests
- Advisory items noted but not failed
- The test station where each test was carried out
What to Look For
Mileage progression. This is the most important thing. Look at the mileage at each test and confirm it increases logically year on year. A mileage drop between tests indicates the odometer has been tampered with.
Gaps in testing. Cars over three years old require an annual MOT. A gap of more than 12 months means the car was either SORNed, unroadworthy, or being used illegally.
Failure patterns. Look at what items caused failures. Repeated failures on brakes, tyres, or lights suggest a neglected car. Structural rust failures are a serious concern.
Advisory progression. Advisories that appear over several years without being fixed tell you about the owner's maintenance habits.
What the Free Check Does Not Tell You
The DVSA's free MOT history check covers MOT records only. It does not tell you:
- Whether there is outstanding finance
- Whether the car has been stolen
- Whether it has been written off
- The number of previous keepers
- Whether the registration number has been changed
For those checks, you need a paid vehicle history check. Run a full check at Bad Drivers UK to get finance, stolen, write-off, and keeper data alongside the MOT history.
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
For a used car purchase, do both.
Start with the free DVSA check to review the MOT history in detail. Look at the mileage progression and check for any patterns in the failures and advisories.
Then run a paid vehicle history check to cover finance, stolen, write-off, keeper history, and plate changes. The paid check also pulls the MOT data together in a more readable format.
How Far Back Does the Free Check Go?
The DVSA holds computerised records from around 2005 onwards. Pre-2005 MOT certificates are paper-based and not on the system.
For older cars, check whether paper service records and MOT certificates are present. These are especially important for pre-2005 vehicles where the digital trail does not exist.
FAQ
Where do I check MOT history for free?
At the DVSA's official service at check.mot.api.gov.uk. Enter the registration number and you get the full MOT history including test dates, pass/fail results, mileages recorded, failure reasons, and advisory items. It is completely free.
How far back does the free MOT history check go?
The DVSA holds computerised records from around 2005 onwards. Pre-2005 MOT certificates are paper-based and not on the system. For older vehicles you need to check physical documents.
Is the free MOT check enough before buying a used car?
It is a useful starting point but not sufficient on its own. The DVSA check covers MOT history only. It does not show outstanding finance, stolen status, write-off records, or keeper history. You need a paid vehicle history check for those.
