MOT Check
Enter any UK registration for a free MOT check — instantly see MOT expiry date, full MOT history, advisories, failures and mileage records from official DVSA data.
What Is Included in a Free MOT Check?
Around 23% of vehicles fail their MOT on the first attempt in the UK. Our free MOT check pulls directly from official DVSA records to show you the complete test history for any registered vehicle, helping you stay legal and buy used cars with confidence.
- Current MOT status — valid, expired or not yet required
- MOT expiry date and days remaining on the current certificate
- Full MOT test history going back to 2005 (2017 for Northern Ireland)
- Pass and fail result for every recorded test
- All advisory notices recorded at each test
- All reasons for failure with defect categories (Dangerous, Major, Minor)
- Mileage recorded at each MOT test for clocking detection
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I view a vehicle's MOT history?
Enter the vehicle's registration number into our free MOT check above. Our service returns the full MOT history from DVSA records, covering every test since 2005 for vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales, and since 2017 for Northern Ireland. Results include the date of each test, pass or fail outcome, mileage recorded at the time, any advisory notices and the reasons for any failures. The current MOT expiry date and days remaining are displayed instantly with no account or payment required.
Can a free MOT check help me verify a vehicle's mileage?
Yes. Every MOT test records the vehicle's mileage at the time of inspection, and our MOT history check displays these readings chronologically. Comparing mileage figures across consecutive tests is one of the most reliable ways to identify potential clocking, where the odometer has been illegally wound back to inflate the car's perceived value. A sudden drop in recorded mileage or an unusually large jump from one test to the next are both red flags that warrant further investigation before purchasing.
How long is an MOT certificate valid for?
An MOT certificate is valid for 12 months from the date the test was passed. You can have your vehicle retested up to one month before the current certificate expires without losing any coverage — the new certificate will run for 12 months from the original expiry date rather than the test date. This means it is always worth booking early rather than letting the certificate lapse.
What are the MOT defect categories and what do they mean?
Since May 2018, MOT defects have been classified into four categories rather than a simple pass or fail, giving a much clearer picture of severity. Dangerous defects are immediate safety risks — the vehicle must not be driven at all until the fault is repaired. Major defects cause the test to fail and must be fixed before the vehicle can be used legally. Minor defects are recorded but do not prevent a pass; they should be addressed before the next test. Advisories are flagged by the tester as items that may deteriorate before the following year's test but do not currently affect the result. When reviewing a used car's MOT history, pay close attention to recurring advisories for the same component across multiple years — this can indicate progressive wear the seller has not addressed.
Why is my vehicle's MOT information not available?
There are several reasons MOT records may not appear in our check. The vehicle may be under three years old and not yet required to have had an MOT. The test may have been conducted before 2005 in Great Britain, or before 2017 in Northern Ireland, which are the earliest dates covered by the DVSA digital database. The registration number entered may contain a typo. Some MOT-exempt vehicles, such as those over 40 years old with no substantial modifications in the last 30 years, have no MOT records by design. If you believe records should exist, contact the DVSA directly for assistance.
Is my vehicle exempt from an MOT?
Most vehicles in the UK require their first MOT at three years old and annually thereafter. Vehicles first registered more than 40 years ago are generally exempt, provided no substantial changes have been made to the engine, transmission, axles, steering or braking systems in the last 30 years. In Northern Ireland, vehicles must have an annual MOT from four years old. Certain other vehicles including tractors, some electric goods vehicles registered before 1 March 2015, and specialist vehicles are also exempt. You can confirm exemption status for any specific vehicle using the UK government's historic vehicle checker on GOV.UK.
Can you drive your car if your MOT has expired?
No. Driving a vehicle with an expired MOT is illegal and carries a fine of up to £1,000. If the vehicle has dangerous defects, penalties can reach £2,500 with penalty points on your licence. Driving without a valid MOT also typically invalidates your car insurance, meaning you would be completely uninsured in the event of an accident. The only legal exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT test appointment or to a garage for repairs following a failure — and you must be able to prove the appointment if stopped, as ANPR cameras will flag vehicles with no valid MOT.
What happens if your car fails an MOT test?
If your car fails its MOT, you will receive a VT30 refusal certificate listing the category and reason for every failure. Dangerous defects mean the vehicle must not be driven under any circumstances. Major defects mean it cannot be used until repaired and retested. If you have repairs done at the same test centre and return within 10 working days, the retest is free for the items that originally failed. If you take the vehicle elsewhere or return after 10 working days, you will need to pay the full MOT fee again.
The Most Common MOT Failure Reasons
Understanding the most frequent failure points helps you prepare your vehicle and spot potential issues in a used car's MOT history:
- Tyres: Over 2.1 million vehicles failed on tyre defects in the 2023–24 testing year, making this the single most common failure category. Illegal tread depth below 1.6mm, cuts, bulges and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) faults are all failure points. A history of tyre-related failures or advisories in a used car check suggests the vehicle may have been driven with worn tyres for extended periods.
- Lights and electrical equipment: Lighting and electrical faults account for around 25% of all MOT failures. Broken headlights, taillights, indicators and number plate lights are the most common causes and are often preventable with a pre-test check.
- Brakes: Brake-related defects account for around 12% of failures, including worn pads, damaged discs and ABS faults. Brake failures are the most common Dangerous defect category in the official DVSA data.
- Suspension: Suspension faults including worn shock absorbers and damaged springs are among the most frequently recorded advisories and appear regularly as failure reasons on higher-mileage vehicles.
- Emissions: Vehicles failing to meet emissions standards — particularly older diesels — are a growing proportion of failures as testing standards tighten. An emissions failure can also affect ULEZ compliance.
When reviewing a used car's MOT history, repeated failures or advisories in the same category across multiple years indicate a pattern of poor maintenance rather than isolated bad luck. Use the full MOT history alongside a complete vehicle history report for the fullest picture before buying.
How to Book an MOT Test
You can find and book an authorised MOT test station using the GOV.UK test centre locator. Only centres displaying the official blue sign with three white triangles are authorised to carry out MOT tests. Book in advance — test centres can be busy around popular months such as March, September and October, which DVSA data shows are the peak periods for MOT testing.