Why check the MOT history?
The MOT history shows how a car has been looked after. Repeated failures, the same advisory year after year, or long gaps between tests can all point to problems or money you'll need to spend soon.
What the MOT history check shows
- Every MOT test recorded, with the date and result
- Each defect (dangerous, major and minor) and every advisory the tester noted
- The mileage at each test, on a chart, with any drop flagged
- Gaps of more than 13 months between tests
- Whether the MOT is current, and when the next one is due
The full MOT history is in both reports: the MOT and tax check (£2.99) and the full history check (£9.99).
Reading the history
Advisories are worth reading closely: they're things the tester thought were wearing or might need work. Our guide How to read a car's MOT history explains what to look for.
MOT records come from the DVSA. Cars need their first MOT three years after they're first registered, so newer cars won't have any tests yet, and cars over 40 years old are usually exempt.
Questions
How far back does the MOT history go?
MOT records have been held electronically since 2005, so the history covers every test recorded since then.
Does the MOT history prove the mileage is genuine?
It's the best independent record of mileage, as each reading is taken at a test. The mileage check flags readings that go down or show very low use, which can be a sign of clocking.