Free MOT History Check
View complete MOT test history, advisories, failures and mileage records for any UK vehicle.
The basics
What is an MOT History Check?
An MOT history check reveals the complete testing record for any UK vehicle. See every MOT test result, advisory notes, failure reasons, and recorded mileage going back years. This free check uses official DVLA data to help you spot potential problems before buying a used car. For a full vehicle history report including finance and theft checks, upgrade to our premium service.
Complete Test History
View every MOT test result including passes, failures, and the reasons for any failed tests.
Advisory Notices
See all advisory notes from previous MOT tests, early warnings of components that may need attention soon.
Mileage Verification
Compare recorded mileage at each MOT test to detect potential odometer tampering or clocking.
MOT Expiry Date
Check when the current MOT expires and plan ahead for the next test date.
Reading the history
Reading an MOT history properly
Advisories tell you what a garage noticed. The mileage recorded at each test, open here, tells you whether the rest of the history can be trusted at all.
Is the vehicle still on finance?
If a lender still has an interest in the vehicle, they can repossess it from your driveway. The seller keeps your money.
- Searched against
- The UK finance register
- Agreement types
- PCP, HP, lease, unit stocking
- Report shows
- Agreement type, date and status
- Recorded by
- The lender, not the seller
Source: UK Finance Register
Has it been written off?
Insurers record a category when a vehicle is damaged badly enough to be uneconomical to repair. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can legally return to the road.
- Searched against
- MIAFTR, the insurance loss register
- Categories covered
- A, B, C, D, S and N
- Report shows
- Category, and the date of loss
- Also covered
- Salvage and total-loss records
Source: MIAFTR
Does the mileage add up?
Every MOT reading is on record. A reading that goes down, or a jump that does not fit the pattern, is the clearest sign of a clocked vehicle.
- Readings used
- Every MOT reading on file
- Looking for
- Readings that fall, or jump
- Report shows
- The full run of readings, in order
- Also covered
- Average miles a year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is it recorded as stolen?
A car reported stolen and never recovered stays flagged on the Police National Computer. Buying one means losing the vehicle and the money.
- Searched against
- The Police National Computer
- Marker covers
- Vehicles reported and not recovered
- Report shows
- Whether a theft marker is held
- Also covered
- The vehicle's registration status
Source: Police National Computer
How many hands has it passed through?
Frequent keeper changes can mean a problem car being passed along. The V5C record shows every change of keeper since first registration.
- Source record
- The DVLA keeper record
- Report shows
- How many keepers it has had
- Dates given
- First registration and last change
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
Has it crossed a border?
An import can be fine, but it changes the history you should expect to find, and an exported marker on a vehicle still being sold here is a red flag.
- Markers checked
- Imported and exported
- Covers
- Vehicles first registered abroad
- Report shows
- Which marker is held, and when
- Also covered
- Whether UK history starts late
Source: DVLA
Has it been scrapped?
A certificate of destruction means the vehicle should not exist on the road. Vehicles with cloned plates borrow the identity of scrapped vehicles.
- Markers checked
- Scrapped, and destroyed
- Covers
- Certificates of destruction
- Report shows
- Whether the record was closed, and when
- Also covered
- Whether the VIN matches the record
Source: DVLA
Has the plate been changed?
Plate changes are legal and common, but they are also how a past identity gets buried. The full history lists every registration the vehicle has worn.
- Source record
- The DVLA registration record
- Report shows
- Every plate the vehicle has worn
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- Personalised plates added and removed
Source: DVLA
What does the MOT record say?
Every test, pass, failure and advisory since the vehicle's third year. Advisories are the useful part: they are a mechanic telling you what was already wearing out.
- Tests listed
- Every test on record
- Report shows
- Result, date and mileage for each
- Also covered
- Advisories and reasons for failure
- Goes back to
- The vehicle's third year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is there an outstanding safety recall?
Manufacturers issue recalls when a fault could be dangerous. The work is free, but it only happens if somebody books it in, and a recall can sit unactioned for years.
- Searched against
- The DVSA recalls database
- Report shows
- Recalls affecting this vehicle
- Also covered
- Recall history for the model
- Cost to put right
- Free, at a franchised dealer
Source: DVSA recalls database
Has it been resprayed?
A recorded colour change can be a personal choice. It can also be how accident repairs or a previous identity stop being obvious at a glance.
- Source record
- The DVLA vehicle record
- Report shows
- Every recorded colour change
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- The colour at first registration
Source: DVLA
Does the vehicle match its paperwork?
The VIN on the vehicle should match the one on the record. When it does not, you are looking at a cloned or altered identity, and everything else in the history belongs to a different car.
- Compared
- The VIN against the DVLA record
- Report shows
- Whether plate, VIN and record agree
- Catches
- Cloned and altered identities
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
What will it cost to tax?
The rate depends on emissions and registration date, and the difference between bands is large enough to change which vehicle you should buy.
- Source record
- The DVLA tax record
- Report shows
- Tax status, and the date it runs out
- Rate given
- The annual rate for this vehicle
- Based on
- Emissions and registration date
Source: DVLA
What is actually under the bonnet?
Engine size, power, fuel type and economy, taken from the manufacturer record rather than the advert. Useful for checking a listing describes the vehicle it is actually selling.
- Taken from
- The manufacturer record
- Report shows
- Engine size, power and fuel type
- Also covered
- Economy, emissions and gearbox
- Useful for
- Checking the advert is accurate
Source: Manufacturer data
What will it cost to keep?
Fuel, servicing, insurance group and tax in one place, so the monthly cost of owning the vehicle is visible before you commit to it rather than after.
- Report shows
- Fuel, tax, insurance and servicing
- Fuel worked out from
- The vehicle's own economy figures
- Adjustable
- By the mileage you actually drive
- Also covered
- Typical service and MOT costs
Source: Car Owl running-cost model
What will it be worth later?
What the vehicle is worth now and what it is likely to be worth in three years. Depreciation is usually the largest single cost of owning a vehicle, and the easiest one to ignore.
- Report shows
- What the vehicle is worth today
- Ranges given
- Private sale and trade
- Projected to
- Three years ahead
- Based on
- Age, mileage and market data
Source: Car Owl valuation model
What has happened to this vehicle?
Keeper changes, MOT tests, mileage readings and plate changes on one timeline. Patterns that are invisible in a list of dates tend to be obvious once they are in order.
- Events shown
- Keepers, MOTs, mileage and plates
- Ordered by
- Date, from first registration
- Also covered
- Stretches with no record at all
- Drawn from
- DVLA and DVSA records
Source: DVLA and DVSA records
What should you check in person?
A checklist built around this specific car, including what its own MOT advisories say to look at. It turns a viewing into something you can work through rather than guess at.
- Built from
- This car's own MOT advisories
- Also built from
- Known faults for the model
- Report shows
- What to check, in viewing order
- Includes
- Questions to ask the seller
Source: Car Owl
Also in every full report: VIC marker · Unpaid loan records · Common faults and typical repair costs · Fuel cost calculator · Priority support · Money-back promise
Step by step
How Do I Check MOT History?
Checking a vehicle's MOT history with Car Owl is quick and completely free. We pull official data directly from DVLA records to show you the complete MOT testing history for any UK registered vehicle.
- MOT Valid
- No Advisories
- Taxed
- Year
- 2019
- Colour
- Blue
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Engine
- 1,997 cc
Enter Registration
Type the vehicle's registration number into the search box above. You can also search using the VIN.
Access DVLA Records
We instantly retrieve the official MOT history from DVLA databases, going back to 2005.
Review Full History
See every test result, advisory, failure reason, and mileage reading in chronological order.
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Explained
Understanding MOT History Results
An MOT history check reveals valuable information about a vehicle's condition and maintenance. Here's what to look for when reviewing MOT records.
What Do MOT Advisories Tell You?
MOT advisories are early warnings about components that are starting to wear but haven't yet failed. Common advisories include brake disc wear, tyre condition, and minor corrosion. A vehicle with many advisories may need expensive repairs soon. Use this information to negotiate a better price or budget for upcoming maintenance.
How to Spot Mileage Discrepancies
MOT records show the mileage at each annual test, creating a reliable timeline of vehicle use. If the mileage suddenly drops or shows inconsistent patterns, this could indicate odometer tampering. Always compare MOT mileage records with the current odometer reading and any service history available.
What Causes MOT Failures?
Common MOT failure reasons include lighting and signalling issues, brake problems, suspension faults, and excessive emissions. Repeated failures for the same issue may indicate a recurring problem that's difficult to fix permanently. A well-maintained vehicle should have mostly clean pass records with minimal advisories.
Why it matters
Why Check MOT History Before Buying?
MOT history is one of the best indicators of how well a vehicle has been maintained. Patterns of failures, advisories, and mileage progression tell the true story of a car's condition that sellers might not reveal.
Detect Clocking
MOT mileage records expose odometer fraud. If mileage goes down between tests, the car has been clocked.
Gauge Maintenance
Frequent advisories and failures suggest poor maintenance. Clean records indicate a well-cared-for vehicle.
Predict Future Costs
Current advisories show what repairs are coming. Budget accordingly or negotiate a lower purchase price.
At a glance
Official MOT History Data
Complete, Accurate, 100% Free
Car Owl provides free access to official DVLA MOT history records. Check any UK vehicle's complete MOT testing history going back to 2005.
Official DVLA Data
Our MOT history check uses official Government data from DVLA records. The same information MOT testing stations access.
Unlimited Free Checks
Check as many vehicles as you like, completely free. Compare multiple cars when shopping for your next vehicle.
Check MOT History in Seconds
Our free MOT history check reveals the complete testing record for any UK vehicle. Make informed buying decisions with official DVLA data.
Still unsure?
Frequently Asked Questions about MOT History
How far back does MOT history go?
MOT history records are available from 2005 onwards. This gives you up to 20+ years of testing history for older vehicles, allowing you to track the vehicle's condition over time.
Is MOT history check really free?
Yes, our MOT history check is completely free with no hidden charges. We provide the same official DVLA data that's available through the Government website, but in an easier-to-read format.
What's the difference between an MOT failure and advisory?
A failure means the vehicle didn't pass the MOT test and cannot legally be driven until repaired. An advisory is a warning about a component that's starting to wear but hasn't yet reached the failure threshold.
Can I check MOT history for any UK vehicle?
Yes, you can check MOT history for any UK registered vehicle that's over 3 years old and requires an MOT. This includes cars, motorcycles, and light goods vehicles.
How do I spot mileage clocking using MOT history?
Compare the mileage recorded at each annual MOT test. The mileage should steadily increase year on year. If it suddenly drops or shows irregular patterns, the odometer may have been tampered with.
When is my car's MOT due?
Our MOT history check shows the current MOT expiry date. You can book your next MOT up to one month before this date without losing any days from your certificate.
What happens if I drive without a valid MOT?
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal in the UK. You could face a fine of up to £1,000, and your car insurance may be invalidated. The only exception is driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test.
Do new cars need an MOT?
New cars don't require an MOT for the first 3 years after registration. After that, they need an annual MOT test like any other vehicle.
What are the most common MOT failures?
The most common MOT failures are lighting and signalling issues (blown bulbs), suspension problems, brake defects, tyre issues, and driver's view obstruction (windscreen damage).
Can I use MOT history to negotiate a car price?
Absolutely! If the MOT history shows recent advisories or a pattern of failures, you can use this to negotiate a lower price or request repairs before purchase.