See recorded mileage history for all MOT tests, expiry dates, advisory notes, and defects.
Road Tax, MOT Check, DVLA History, SORN, and Export Status in a Single Free Car Check
- Whether the vehicle has passed or failed any MOT check.
- The exact mileage at the time of each MOT test (Ministry Of Transport data).
- Date of test.
- Mileage between tests.
- Parts that failed each MOT test, including those with minor mechanical issues.
- Advisory note items where the vehicle passed with a valid MOT check certificate with DVLA but had car parts that were worn and due to be replaced (probably in the next 12 months or at the time of the next vehicle check test).
Information Relating to an MOT
As a private motorist, it is important to stay on top of maintenance and ensure your vehicle remains legal and roadworthy.
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Simply enter your license plate number below.
Find a number of related sections including, what is an MOT, certificates, advisory items, and MOT fast pass. Links below provide answers to each of these sections and more.
MOT History When Buying a Car
Most vehicles on the road have a mandatory MOT test at 3 years old, although a vehicle can be tested sooner if the driver feels it necessary (i.e., when the vehicle has traveled unusually high mileage).
MOT status checks on some vehicles, like taxis and ambulances, have a shorter period before their inaugural test, usually 1 year.
Uses of MOT History via Our DVLA Database Feed
Post-2005, excluding Northern Ireland (a vehicle does not need valid MOT status to run an accurate search).
Accessing a Checkreg DVLA MOT history check service is useful before buying a car. You get to see how the vehicle has performed in previous tests, car parts that caused a failed check, and a list of any advisories.
Checkreg Gold and Platinum checks also highlight if the vehicle has a history of mileage problems.
MOT Check Advisory Notice Items
Identifying advised items is helpful as it provides advice when buying a vehicle.
When a car part is listed as advisory status, it means the item is legal and roadworthy but if it becomes a little more serious, the vehicle may become unroadworthy and illegal to drive. In such cases, the vehicle may need immediate mechanical attention.
- So, advisories that appear on the current or latest MOT certificate let you know that the vehicle will need mechanical repair and financial investment in the coming months and miles of motoring.
The owner will pay for those parts and repairs.
UK’s Top MOT Test Check Failures
Get a valid MOT at the first test.
- Bulbs – now, up to 30% of lighting-related issues come down to blown bulbs. These are cheap to buy and, on most vehicles, easy to fit.
- Washers & wipers – around 8% of vehicles fail due to worn/broken wiper rubbers or blocked washers.
- Tyres – averaging at 10%, worn tread or faulty tyres are another common cause of a failed MOT test.
(Statistics are based on vehicle reports provided by Checkreg)
Emissions tests are tougher than ever as the government attempts to improve air quality.
A failed MOT remains less common compared to the car parts listed here, but is renowned for expensive repair bills.
If you are buying a car with emissions issues, it is good practice to understand what the issues are and likely costs of repair. Check MOT emissions testing on GOV UK.
- Whether a vehicle check fails on a simple brake light bulb or something more serious such as a driveshaft, an MOT retest is always required. This means more time and labor before the car is deemed roadworthy.
DVLA MOT’s and Taxing a Vehicle
Notes on road tax requirements. Documents you’ll need:
Taxing a Car at a Local Post Office
- Your logbook (V5C or V5C/2 if you are buying the car).
- V11.
- V85 (for HGVs).
Without these items, you need a V5C application form (V62). Logbook application is £25, and you’ll need a valid type of car insurance.
If the vehicle is over 3 years old, you will need a valid MOT certificate or exception check certificate if you are in receipt of disability vehicle tax.
If the vehicle has been modified to reduce pollution, the Reduced Pollution Certificate is also required. Use the following citation to check car tax.
Require more MOT information? We answer many questions on the components of an MOT. Click this link to see our sitemap now.
Team Checkreg