What MOT failures, dangerous and major defects, and advisories tell you about a used car, and the patterns to look out for before you buy.
A car's MOT history is one of the most useful things you can look at before buying. It shows how the car has been looked after, what has gone wrong, and what might need money spent on it soon.
What's in the MOT history
For every test since 2005, the record shows the date, whether the car passed or failed, the mileage, and each problem the tester noted. Cars need their first MOT three years after they're first registered, then every year. Cars over 40 years old are usually exempt; see classic cars at 40.
Understanding the results
| Result |
What it means |
| Dangerous |
A direct risk to road safety. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's repaired. |
| Major |
Could affect safety or the environment. The car fails and must be repaired. |
| Minor |
No significant effect on safety. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible. |
| Advisory |
Something the tester expects to need attention soon. The car passes. |
Before May 2018, problems were recorded as failures or advisories, without the dangerous, major and minor categories.
What to look for
Advisories on the latest test
These are the jobs most likely to need doing soon: worn tyres, brake pads or discs, corrosion, oil leaks. Price them up and use them when you negotiate.
Repeat advisories
The same advisory year after year can mean a problem that's been left alone. It might be minor, but it shows the owner didn't fix things until they had to.
Corrosion
Rust on brake pipes, suspension parts or the underside comes up often on older cars. Corrosion near structural areas, such as sills and subframes, can be expensive to repair.
Failures fixed the same day
A fail followed by a pass on the same day or shortly after usually means the faults were repaired promptly, which is a good sign.
Gaps between tests
A gap of more than a year can mean the car was off the road, perhaps declared SORN, or driven without an MOT. Ask the seller why.
The mileage
Each test records the mileage. It should only ever go up. See how to spot a clocked car.
Our reports show the full MOT history with every defect and advisory, chart the mileage, and flag long gaps between tests and unusually low use. Check a car.
A clean MOT history isn't everything
The MOT checks a car's safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't check the engine, clutch or gearbox in any detail, and it doesn't tell you whether a car has outstanding finance or has been written off. Use it alongside a full history check and your own inspection.