Our free MOT check lets you see any UK vehicle's current MOT status and full test history in seconds using just the registration number. Every car, van and motorcycle over three years old must have a valid MOT certificate to be driven legally on UK roads. Whether you want to check your own MOT expiry date or look up the history of a used car before buying, our tool pulls data directly from the DVSA database and displays it clearly and instantly.
The MOT history check goes beyond the current status. It shows every test the vehicle has had since digital records began in 2005, including the mileage recorded at each test, any advisories the tester flagged, and the reasons for any failures. This makes the MOT history one of the most useful free checks available when researching a used car.
Enter any valid UK registration number into the search field above and click check. Our system sends a request to the official DVSA database and retrieves the complete MOT record for that vehicle within seconds. You will see the current MOT status and expiry date at the top, followed by the full test history laid out in chronological order. Each entry shows the test date, pass or fail result, the mileage recorded by the tester, any advisories issued, and the specific reasons for any failures. There is no login required and no payment needed for the MOT history check.
Our MOT check report draws on official DVSA records to give you a complete view of a vehicle's MOT status and history in one place.
MOT expiry date and days remaining: See exactly when the current MOT certificate runs out and how much time is left before a new test is needed.
Full MOT test history since 2005: Every test on record, with the date, pass or fail result, and the name of the test station that carried it out.
Mileage at every test: The odometer reading recorded by the tester at each MOT, creating a year-by-year mileage timeline you can use to verify the current reading.
Mileage inconsistency flags: Any drop in recorded mileage between consecutive tests is flagged automatically, helping you spot potential clocking before you buy.
Advisories from every test: Items that were not bad enough to fail the car at the time but were flagged as needing attention. Advisories that repeat across multiple years can indicate an ongoing problem.
Failure reasons explained: When a vehicle failed its MOT, the specific reason recorded by the tester is shown in full, giving you context on what was wrong and when.
MOT data is sourced directly from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the government body responsible for vehicle testing across England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland operates a separate testing system through the DVA.
Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate is illegal and can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and penalty points on your licence. The only exceptions are driving to a pre-booked MOT test or to a garage for repairs following a failure. Driving an uninsured vehicle without a valid MOT can also invalidate your insurance policy.
MOT requirements vary by vehicle type and class. Cars, vans and motorcycles follow standard rules, while heavier vehicles and buses have different testing regimes. See the DVSA inspection manual for the full breakdown of requirements by class.
Vehicles first registered more than 40 years ago are exempt from the annual MOT test, provided no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years. This exemption covers most pre-1985 cars and motorcycles. You can confirm eligibility using the DVLA historic vehicle checker.
Since May 2018, MOT faults are classified as Dangerous, Major, Minor or Advisory rather than a simple pass or fail. Dangerous and Major defects cause an immediate fail. Minor defects result in a pass but are recorded. Advisories are noted but do not affect the test result. This system gives a clearer picture of severity than the previous approach.
Once you have checked your MOT expiry date, you can book your MOT online quickly and without any upfront fees. Authorised MOT test stations are easy to find through our booking tool.
Only authorised test centres carrying the blue sign with three white triangles are permitted to carry out MOT tests in the UK. Unofficial centres cannot issue a valid certificate.
You can get your MOT done up to one calendar month minus one day before the current certificate expires without losing any of the remaining time. The new certificate will still run from the original expiry date, not the test date. This means you can get tested early without sacrificing any validity days.
Use the MOT check tool above to see your current expiry date, then use our booking tool to find an authorised test centre nearby and compare prices before you book.
The mileage recorded at each MOT is one of the most valuable pieces of information in the history report. Compare the figures from the oldest test to the most recent. A healthy record shows steady, consistent growth year on year that matches how the vehicle was described to you. Any drop in recorded mileage between two consecutive tests is physically impossible under normal use and is a strong indicator that the odometer has been tampered with, a practice known as clocking. Mileage clocking is illegal in the UK and remains a persistent problem in the used car market, estimated to affect around one in fourteen vehicles. If you spot a drop, do not buy the car.
You should also check the most recent DVSA-recorded mileage against the current odometer reading when you view the vehicle in person. If the figure on the clock is lower than the most recent MOT reading, something is seriously wrong.
Advisories are recorded by the MOT tester for items that are not yet bad enough to cause a failure but are approaching a condition where they might. A single advisory is not alarming. Common advisories include tyres approaching the legal minimum tread depth, minor surface corrosion on brake discs, slight play in a steering component, and small oil leaks that are not yet dripping. The key question is whether the advisory was addressed before the next test.
If the same advisory appears across two, three or more consecutive years on the same component, it means the owner repeatedly chose not to fix it. This pattern tells you the car may not have been well maintained and that you should inspect those areas carefully. It also gives you a solid basis for negotiating a lower price to cover the cost of repairs.
A single MOT failure is not necessarily a concern. Vehicles develop faults and responsible owners get them fixed. What should give you pause is a vehicle that has repeatedly failed on the same item across multiple tests. If the MOT history shows three failures on brakes in five years, this may indicate either persistent neglect or an underlying mechanical fault that has never been properly resolved. Look for patterns rather than isolated incidents.
The MOT history records the name and location of the test station for each test. This can be a useful cross-reference when assessing a vehicle. If a car is advertised as having one previous owner in one region but the test history shows it was tested in several different areas of the country, this warrants an explanation. It can indicate the car has changed hands more times than the seller is letting on, or that the history being presented does not match the actual ownership record.
If a vehicle has a gap of more than a year in the MOT history with no SORN declaration to explain it, ask why. A gap can mean the car was off the road for legitimate reasons, such as being stored, in long-term repair, or being used exclusively on private land. But a gap combined with a mileage reading that suggests the car was driven during that period is a significant red flag. Driving without a valid MOT is illegal and suggests a disregard for basic vehicle compliance that may extend to other areas of maintenance.
Enter the vehicle registration number into the search field at the top of this page. The MOT check will instantly display the current expiry date, how many days remain, and the full MOT history from DVSA records. You do not need to log in or pay anything.
An MOT test is an annual roadworthiness inspection required by law for all vehicles over three years old in the UK. It covers over 60 individual checks across key systems including brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, seatbelts, horn, mirrors, wipers, windscreen condition, exhaust emissions, fuel system integrity, and vehicle structure. Testers also check for excessive corrosion in safety-critical areas and that all warning lights are functioning correctly.
Since May 2018, defects found during the test are classified into four categories. Dangerous defects are immediate safety risks and result in a fail. Major defects are significant faults that also cause a fail. Minor defects are recorded but do not prevent the vehicle from passing. Advisories are flagged for the owner's attention but do not affect the result.
If a vehicle passes, it receives a certificate valid for 12 months. If it fails, repairs must be completed before it can be legally driven except to a pre-booked retest or repair garage.
Yes. Under DVSA rules you can book and complete an MOT up to one calendar month minus one day before your current certificate expires. Importantly, this does not shorten the new certificate. It will still run for 12 months from the original expiry date, not from the date you had the test. This flexibility means you do not have to rush to get tested on exactly the right day.
You can book online through our service to find authorised test centres near you and compare prices. You can also search directly for an MOT centre near you. Only DVSA-authorised test stations displaying the official blue sign with three white triangles can issue a valid MOT certificate.
A standard MOT test takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes for a car. If the vehicle fails and needs repairs before a retest, the total time at the garage will depend on the scope of the work required.
The DVSA sets maximum fees for MOT tests. The current maximum for a car or motor caravan is £54.85. For a standard motorcycle the maximum is £29.65. Most garages charge less than the maximum, and significant discounts are often available if you book online or combine the MOT with a service. Prices vary between test centres, so comparing before you book is worthwhile.
If your vehicle fails its MOT you cannot drive it on public roads except to a pre-booked repair garage or to a retest appointment. Repairs must be completed to address the failure reasons. If you have the repairs done at the same garage within 10 working days, a partial retest is usually available at a reduced fee rather than a full new test charge. If you take the car elsewhere or wait longer than 10 working days, a full new test and fee applies.
Vehicles first registered more than 40 years ago are generally exempt from the annual MOT test, provided no substantial changes have been made to the vehicle's engine, transmission, axles, steering or braking systems in the last 30 years. You can confirm whether a specific vehicle qualifies using the UK government's historic vehicle page. If you are unsure whether modifications disqualify the exemption, the DVSA can advise.