MOT history is the recorded list of every MOT test a vehicle has taken in Great Britain: the date, the pass or fail result, the odometer reading and any advisories or defects the tester noted. To check MOT history you only need the registration number. Enter it into the free MOT history checker and the official DVSA record appears, along with MOT expiry, tax status and basic vehicle details, in a few seconds and without an account.
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
A registration lookup answers more questions than most people expect, but not all of them. It is strong on testing, mileage and tax, and silent on insurance, finance and write-offs. Knowing which check answers which question, and where each one really comes from, is what turns a quick reg check into a safe decision about a car you own, sell or want to buy.
What MOT History Actually Is
An MOT test is the annual roadworthiness inspection that most vehicles need once they pass a set age. Every result is stored against the vehicle's registration number, and that stored list is the MOT history.
A record, not an opinion
The history is a set of entries made by testers at test centre premises. It records what was found on the day of each test. It does not say how the vehicle has been driven or maintained since.
Where the data sits
Results are uploaded to the DVSA, the agency that runs MOT testing in Great Britain. The same records feed the official GOV.UK service and the free lookup here, so the two should agree.
Things the record usually includes:
- The test date and the test centre's identifier
- The overall result and the odometer reading
- Any advisories, minor, major or dangerous defects
- The expiry date of the certificate that was issued
Why A Vehicle History Check Matters
Cars are expensive, and problems are often invisible from the driver's seat. A sensible vehicle history check costs nothing and takes a minute.
- It shows whether the car has a valid MOT certificate right now
- It shows whether the mileage has risen steadily between tests
- It reveals repeated failures for the same fault
- It lets a seller prove their car's record and lets a buyer verify it
For buyers
A record that matches what the seller says is reassuring. A record that does not match is a reason to ask questions before any money moves.
For owners
Owners use the same record to see when the next test is due, to spot mistakes, and to keep a tidy picture of how their own vehicle has aged.
Useful owner habits:
- Note the expiry date in a calendar
- Fix advisories before they become failures
- Keep receipts that explain any mileage oddities
- Check the tax due date at the same time
How To Check MOT History In Three Steps
The process is the same on any device, and the free service needs no login.
- Find the registration number on the number plate or the V5C.
- Type it into the lookup without spaces or with them, it makes no difference.
- Read the result from the top: status, expiry, then the test list.
Where to type it
Use the free MOT history checker for the full breakdown of fields, or the shorter MOT check explainer for what each part of a result means.
What to do with the answer
Write down the expiry date, note any advisories, and compare the mileage against what you have been told. Those three checks catch most problems.
Extra things worth noting:
- The colour and fuel type against the real vehicle
- The date of the first registration
- Whether any test was a retest shortly after a failure
How To Read An MOT Result
A result is laid out from newest test to oldest. The top shows the current position; the rest shows the past.
Pass
A pass means the vehicle met the minimum standard on that day. It can still carry advisory notes about things that are wearing or close to a limit.
Fail
A fail means at least one major defect or dangerous defect was found. The vehicle needs repair and a retest before it gets a new certificate, and the failure stays in the history.
Advisory
An advisory is a heads-up, not a fault that stopped a pass. Repeated advisories for the same item across tests show something that was never fixed.
Defect Categories In Plain English
Testers grade faults by severity. The grade decides whether the vehicle passes and whether it is safe to drive away.
- Minor defect: a small fault that does not affect the result
- Major defect: a serious fault that fails the test
- Dangerous defect: a direct and immediate risk to road safety, so the vehicle should not be driven until repaired
Why the grade matters
Two failures can look alike on a list but mean very different things. A dangerous defect on a brake component is a different story from a major defect on a worn tyre.
Mileage In The MOT Record
Each test stores an odometer reading, so the history becomes a timeline of how far the vehicle has travelled.
Spotting odd patterns
A reading that falls, stalls for years or jumps wildly deserves a question. There may be an innocent explanation such as a replaced dashboard, a typing slip or a long period off the road.
Reading the gaps
Time matters as much as distance. A car that covered a large distance in a single year after years of tiny readings may have changed role, for example from a garaged second car to a commuter. A change of use is not suspicious on its own, but it should have a story behind it.
Why it is a good clue but not proof
Recorded readings are only as reliable as the entries. Combine them with the service record and a physical inspection, and use mileage check methods to cross-reference the figures.
MOT Expiry Date And When A Test Is Due
The MOT expiry date is the last day the current certificate is valid. After it, the vehicle normally cannot be driven on the road except to a pre-booked test or repair, and you could face penalties.
Testing early
You can usually test up to a month (minus a day) before expiry and keep the same renewal date. Testing earlier than that generally resets the date, so the exact window matters. See can I MOT my car early for the detail.
Reasons people test early:
- To avoid a last-minute rush
- To leave time for repairs
- To fit the test around a holiday
Checking your own due date
When is my MOT due walks through how to find the date and how to set a reminder.
How Long An MOT Lasts
An MOT certificate is normally valid for 12 months. A first test is normally needed from the third anniversary of first registration, so a new car typically runs three years before its first test.
Old vehicles
Some very old vehicles are exempt from the test, depending on how they are classed and used. Read MOT age exemption before assuming a classic needs or does not need one.
Points to confirm before relying on an exemption:
- Whether the vehicle is still in a qualifying class
- Whether it has been substantially changed
- Whether the record shows the exemption at all
Vehicle Tax And SORN In The Same Lookup
A reg check also shows vehicle tax status and the due date. If the record says the vehicle is taxed, untaxed or declared SORN, you see it at once.
Tax is not transferable
When a vehicle is bought or sold, tax does not pass to the new keeper. The buyer has to tax it in their own name, so an untaxed car on the record is a practical to-do, not always a red flag.
Quick tax reminders:
- Tax is linked to the vehicle record, not the seller
- Driving untaxed can lead to penalties
- The official service is the place to tax a vehicle
SORN explained
A SORN is a declaration that a vehicle is off the road and kept on private land. Start with check if vehicle is SORN to see what the record means.
What A Free Reg Check Shows
A free reg check drawn from DVSA and DVLA records typically displays:
- Make, model, colour and fuel type
- Engine size and year of manufacture
- First registration date
- MOT status, expiry date and every recorded test
- Tax status and due date
- CO2 and Euro status where recorded
- V5C issue date and marked-for-export flag
What is deliberately missing
Personal details such as keeper names and addresses are not in this data, and they should not be.
What A Reg Check Cannot Show
This is the part people miss, and it matters for safety and money. A registration lookup does not show:
- Insurance cover
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off or stolen status
- Service history
- Number of previous owners
Why the gap exists
Those facts sit with insurers, finance companies, the police and the garage network, not with the MOT or vehicle tax systems.
Where to look instead
Later sections explain which separate check answers each of those questions.
| Question | Free reg check | Where to look instead |
|---|---|---|
| MOT and tax status | Usually yes | Official GOV.UK service |
| Insurance | Not shown | Motor Insurance Database check |
| Outstanding finance | Not shown | Paid history check |
| Write-off or stolen record | Not shown | Paid history check or police |
Car Reg Check, Reg Plate Check And Other Names For The Same Thing
Drivers search for this in many ways. Car reg check, reg plate check, vehicle reg check, check a reg, check car reg, check my reg and UK reg check all mean the same basic idea: type a registration, see what is on record.
A reg check is simply a lookup of a vehicle by its number plate, and a number plate check works the same way. You might want to check vehicle reg details before buying, check my reg for a quick look at your own car, or check your reg a few weeks before the MOT is due. Other wordings include check a car reg, check car reg UK, check my car reg, check a reg plate, check reg plate, check my reg UK, reg car check, car check reg, reg no check and my reg check. A free reg check and a free car reg check are the same idea, as are car reg check free, reg check free, free reg check UK, car reg check UK and UK car reg check. A bike reg check works too, because motorcycles are registered in the same way.
DVLA reg check
A DVLA reg check usually means looking up vehicle details and tax status, which are DVLA data. The MOT part comes from the DVSA, which is a different agency. People also type DVLA check reg or DVLA car reg check; the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service is the official tool for vehicle and tax details. When a vehicle passes its emissions test and the rest of the MOT, a VT20 certificate is issued, while a fail produces a VT30 refusal notice.
Gov reg check
People also search for gov reg check hoping for the official service. The official GOV.UK tools exist and are free; this lookup draws on the same official records. Searches for reg check gov, reg check DVLA or gov.uk reg check usually mean the official GOV.UK vehicle services.
Reg Check UK Versus Northern Ireland
MOT history for Great Britain comes from the DVSA. Northern Ireland has its own testing system run by the DVA, so a Northern Irish plate may not show an MOT record in a Great Britain lookup.
Reg check NI
If you search for a reg check NI or NI reg check, be aware that different agencies hold the data. MOT in Northern Ireland explains how the tests work there, and DVLA in Northern Ireland explains tax and registration. A car reg check NI, or a check reg NI search, is best done through the Northern Ireland services.
Irish plates
Plates from the Republic of Ireland belong to a separate system entirely. See Irish reg check for what can and cannot be looked up.
| Point | Great Britain | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Registration authority | DVLA | DVA |
| MOT record on GOV.UK lookup | Usually available | Usually a separate system |
| Plate format | Usually letters and digits in a set pattern | Often a different style |
| Best first step | Use the free lookup here | Check the official NI service |
Which Vehicles Can Be Looked Up
Most cars, vans and motorbikes registered in Great Britain have an MOT history from their first test onwards.
- Cars and vans in the usual test classes
- Motorcycles and other two-wheelers
- Minibuses and some passenger vehicles
- Heavier vehicles have their own test system, see HGV MOT check
Brand-new vehicles
A vehicle too new for a first test will have vehicle details and tax status but no MOT results yet.
Understanding Test Classes
Test class groups vehicles by type and weight so the right standards apply. A typical car is in one class, a motorbike in another, a larger van in another.
Finding your class
What MOT class is my vehicle and MOT classes cover how the groups work. Garages use the class to decide which bay and equipment to use.
Reading The Vehicle Details Correctly
The make and model, colour, engine size and fuel type in a lookup should match the car on the drive.
Mismatches are worth a pause
If the colour differs from reality, it may be a respray never reported to the DVLA. If the engine size differs, check the VIN and logbook. A mismatch is a question, not always a scandal.
Fields worth matching to the vehicle:
- Make and model
- Colour
- Fuel type
- Engine size
- Year of first registration
Colour and fuel checks
Shortcuts like what colour is my car and is my car petrol or diesel show how those fields can be used.
The Number Plate And The Registration Number
A number plate is the physical plate. The registration number is the identifier it displays, issued by the DVLA and linked to one vehicle at a time.
Plate format basics
Most modern plates carry two letters, two digits and three letters. The two digits are an age identifier that hints at when the vehicle was first registered.
Newer plate dates
The age identifier changes twice a year. 25 number plate change and 74 plate year show how to read them.
VIN, Chassis Number And The Registration
The VIN (vehicle identification number, also called the chassis number) is stamped on the vehicle itself and does not change when the plate does.
Why it is the honest identifier
A registration can move from one car to another through a private plate transfer. The VIN cannot. That is why matching the VIN to the V5C logbook is such a robust check.
Where a VIN is often found:
- Stamped on the body or chassis
- Visible through the windscreen on many cars
- Printed on the V5C logbook
- Shown on a plate in the engine bay
Learning more
What is a VIN number and VIN from reg explain how to find it and what to compare.
The V5C Logbook
The V5C logbook, also called the log book, is the vehicle registration certificate issued by the DVLA. It names the registered keeper, but it is not proof of legal ownership.
Checking the V5C
Compare its make, model, colour, VIN and engine details against the vehicle and the lookup. See vehicle registration document information for what each box means.
Red flags on a V5C:
- Seller unwilling to show it
- Details that do not match the vehicle
- A very recent issue date with no explanation
The V5C issue date
The lookup can show when the current V5C was issued. A very recent date may simply mean a change of keeper or of details; ask the seller why.
Buying A Used Car: A Sensible Order Of Checks
A safe purchase uses several layers. Each one answers a different question.
- Run the free MOT and tax lookup.
- Compare the plate, VIN and V5C.
- Check insurance status where relevant.
- Check finance, write-off and stolen status with a provider that holds that data.
- Inspect and test-drive the vehicle.
Why order matters
The free checks rule out obviously bad cars early. Paid or official provider checks then only need to be run for cars you are serious about.
Questions to put to the seller:
- Why are you selling?
- Is there a full service history?
- Has the car been in an accident?
- Are there any outstanding finance payments?
What To Look For In The MOT List
Scan for patterns rather than single events.
- Long gaps between tests
- Repeated failures for the same component
- Advisories that never seem to be fixed
- Mileage that stalls, drops or jumps
- Retests the same day or soon after a failure
Good signs
A steady, regular list with modest advisories and consistent mileage usually indicates a car that has been looked after.
Less reassuring signs:
- A failure shortly before the sale
- Advisories about corrosion or structure
- A long untested gap
Insurance Checks
Insurance is not part of the MOT record. To check whether a vehicle is covered, the relevant database is the Motor Insurance Database.
Is my car insured
Is my car insured explains the options, and AskMID insurance check describes the service many people search for by name, in neutral terms.
When people check insurance:
- Before driving a newly bought car home
- After a change of keeper
- When a vehicle shows up on camera with no cover
Third party basics
Third party insurance sets out what the lowest legal cover actually includes.
Finance Checks
Outstanding finance is held by finance companies and shared through specialist providers, not through DVLA or DVSA records.
Why it matters
A car can be sold while finance is still owed. The finance company may still have a claim, so the buyer risks losing the car.
Finance warning signs:
- A price far below the market
- A seller who avoids paperwork
- Reluctance to allow any history check
Learn how to check
Check finance on a car describes the checks, and car finance checker covers the tools people use.
Write-Off Checks
Insurers classify seriously damaged vehicles into write-off categories. That data is shared with specialist providers and is not on the free MOT record.
Categories
Read car written off, category N car meaning and category D car meaning to see how the categories differ.
Checking
See check if a car has been written off for practical steps.
Stolen Vehicle Checks
The police hold stolen vehicle information. A valid MOT does not mean a vehicle is not stolen, because a stolen car can still have an old test history.
Sensible action
Police stolen vehicle check covers what a check can tell you and what to do if the answer worries you.
Service History
A service history is usually in a stamped book, digital records or garage invoices. It is not on the MOT record.
Matching stories
Put the service history next to the MOT history. If both tell the same story about mileage and work done, that is a good sign. See car service history for what to ask for.
Items to ask to see:
- The stamped service book or digital record
- Invoices for major work
- Receipts for cambelt or timing chain jobs
Previous Owners And Keepers
The number of former keepers is useful context but is not part of the MOT record or the free lookup.
How to find out
How many owners has my car had explains what can and cannot be discovered, and why.
Imported Vehicles
An imported vehicle can have a short history in Great Britain because earlier records sit elsewhere.
What to do
Check for marked-for-export and import flags, and read car import check for a fuller approach.
Import checks worth making:
- The VIN against the foreign documents
- The date the vehicle first entered Great Britain
- Whether the import was formally registered
Emissions, CO2 And ULEZ
The record may include CO2 and Euro status where available. These help with running costs and clean air zone rules.
ULEZ reg check
A ULEZ reg check usually asks whether a vehicle meets the emissions standards for a charging zone. The official transport body for that zone has its own checker, which is the final word.
Other zones
See Birmingham clean air zone check for one example, and CO2 emissions checker for how the figures work.
Car Tax Cost By Reg
People often ask to check car tax price by reg, check road tax price by reg or check tax cost by reg. The lookup shows tax status and due date, but the amount depends on rules that change. The same goes for anyone who wants to check car tax cost by reg or check road tax cost by reg: the status is on record, while the cost is set by the vehicle's details and published rates.
Where the current rate is
The rates and bands are published on GOV.UK. Car tax calculator and vehicle tax status help you work out what applies to a particular vehicle.
Other Reg-Based Lookups
Drivers also search for specific details by registration.
- BHP: see BHP check for reg check BHP questions
- Specs: see car spec check for car reg spec check and reg spec check searches
- Tyre pressure: a reg lookup may give the model, but the correct tyre pressure is in the handbook or on the vehicle, so a tyre pressure check by reg or a check tyre pressure by reg search only points you to the model
- Tyre size: people try to check tyre size by reg, but the size is printed on the tyre sidewall and in the handbook
- Power: a bhp reg check is covered in the BHP guidance above
About the specs
Manufacturer specifications vary by trim and year. A reg lookup gives a good starting point, not a guarantee for that exact car.
Reg Check To See If Caught Speeding
Some people try to check reg to see if caught speeding. No public registration lookup shows penalty notices, and it should not.
What to do instead
If you think you received a fine, the correct route is the notice itself, the police or the relevant authority. Never pay a demand you cannot verify.
Parkers Reg Check And Other Brand Names
Parkers reg check is a search some people use to find specs and valuation guides. A brand name is just a name people search, whether it is Parkers or an Autotrader reg check. Describe what you need and pick a service that fits, and check any brand on its own terms rather than through general claims.
Private Plates And Cherished Numbers
A private plate is a registration number chosen or bought rather than issued with the vehicle. A cherished transfer moves that number between vehicles.
The paperwork
V778 retention refers to the retention document issued when a number is taken off a vehicle to hold it. Read assign private plate for the process.
More reading
Cherished number plate, sell my reg and value my number plate cover the wider picture.
Number Plate Rules
Plates must follow rules on font, spacing and materials. Show plates and novelty spacing can cause an MOT failure or fines.
Learn the rules
UK number plate rules and show reg plates explain the legal limits.
Motorbikes And Motorcycles
Motorbikes have their own test class and their own quirks, but the registration lookup works in the same way.
Specifics
Motorbike MOT guide explains the test, and motorbike chassis number check explains how to match a bike to its paperwork.
Vans, HGVs And Trailers
Vans usually follow car-style testing; larger vehicles use a different regime.
Heavier vehicles
See HGV MOT check for how heavy goods vehicles and trailers differ from cars.
Electric And Hybrid Vehicles
Electric vehicles are tested too. The test leaves out exhaust emissions for vehicles that have none, but it still covers brakes, steering, lights, tyres and structure.
What the record looks like
The history reads like any other, except fuel type will show electricity and there may be no emissions reading.
When The Record Looks Wrong
Errors happen. A wrong colour, a missing test or a mileage typo can all appear.
- Re-check the registration you typed.
- Compare it with the certificate or the V5C.
- Contact the test centre if a result is wrong.
- Use the official GOV.UK route for a vehicle detail that is wrong.
Why a test may not show
Why is my MOT not showing online lists the common causes, including timing and data-entry mistakes.
If You Cannot Find An MOT Certificate
A paper certificate is not required; the record is the proof.
Replacement
MOT certificate explains how to get, check or replace one.
MOT Centres And Finding One
A test can only be carried out at an authorised test centre. Choosing one is partly about location and partly about trust.
- MOT near me for finding a centre
- Find an MOT test centre by test number for looking up a specific test
- Car service and MOT for combining jobs
Costs And Time
How much an MOT costs is set by the centre within a legal maximum, so prices vary. MOT cost explains the factors. A test usually takes under an hour, and how long does an MOT take explains why it sometimes takes longer.
Failed Tests And Driving
A failed test does not always mean the car must stay put. Whether you may drive depends on whether the old certificate is still valid and whether dangerous defects were found.
Key points
Read drive with failed MOT and MOT grace period before acting, and always follow current GOV.UK guidance.
Pre-Test Preparation
Many failures come from simple items such as lights, tyres, wipers and washer fluid.
A practical routine
See pre-MOT checks for a checklist you can do at home before booking.
Quick home checks:
- All exterior lights and indicators
- Tyre tread and condition
- Wipers and washer fluid
- Horn and number plates
- Seat belts and mirrors
Privacy And What The Lookup Stores
A registration number is not a person's name. The data displayed is vehicle data, and keeper details are not shown.
Sensible habits
Do not post photos of other people's vehicles with identifying details online, and use lookups only for legitimate purposes such as buying, selling or owning.
Good practice:
- Keep registration details to yourself when selling online
- Do not share your V5C number
- Avoid checking vehicles for no reason
Independent Service
MOT History is an independent information service. It is not the DVLA, the DVSA, the DVA or an insurer. For official decisions, the official GOV.UK and DVA services have the final word.
Learn more
About MOT History explains the approach and how to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check MOT history for free?
Enter the registration number into the free MOT history checker. It shows the current MOT status, expiry date, every recorded test, pass and fail results, advisories and odometer readings from official DVSA records. No account or payment is needed. You can also use the official GOV.UK service, which draws on the same records, if you would like to compare the result.
What does a reg check show?
A reg check typically shows make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size, year of manufacture, MOT status and expiry, past MOT results, mileage at each test, tax status and due date, and in some cases CO2 and Euro status. It does not show insurance, finance, write-off or stolen status, service history or previous keepers.
Is a free reg check accurate?
It is as accurate as the official records behind it. Testers and the DVLA enter the data, so typing slips and delays can occur. Treat a mismatch as a question to ask the seller or test centre. For legal certainty about a disputed entry, use the official GOV.UK or DVLA route rather than relying on any third-party display.
Can I check a car's MOT history with just the number plate?
Yes. The registration number on the plate is all you need for Great Britain records. You do not need the V5C, the VIN or the owner's permission, because the data is vehicle information rather than personal information. If nothing appears, re-check the characters, since 0 and O or 1 and I are easy to mix up.
Does a reg check work for Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland runs its own MOT testing through the DVA, so a Northern Irish registration may not show MOT results in a Great Britain lookup. Vehicle tax and registration in Northern Ireland are still connected to the DVLA. Use the official Northern Ireland services for a definitive MOT answer on a vehicle tested there.
Will a reg check show if a car is insured?
No. Insurance is held on the Motor Insurance Database, which is a separate system. If you want to confirm that a vehicle is covered, use an insurance status check run through that database, and ask the owner for proof of cover where relevant. A valid MOT says nothing about insurance.
Can a reg check show outstanding finance or a write-off?
No. Finance and write-off categories come from finance companies and insurers, and are gathered by specialist vehicle check providers. If you are buying a used car, run a full history check from a reputable provider in addition to the free MOT lookup, and decide how much reassurance you need before paying.
Why is my MOT not showing on the record?
The usual causes are a typing error in the registration, a test that was only just completed, a vehicle that is too new for its first test, an exempt vehicle, or a Northern Ireland test. If the certificate is in your hand but the record is missing, contact the test centre that issued it and ask them to check the upload.
Can I see MOT history for a motorbike or van?
Yes, in most cases. Motorbikes and most vans registered in Great Britain have MOT records just like cars. Larger goods vehicles and trailers use a separate testing regime with different records. Use the registration number in the same way, and check the test class if the result seems unfamiliar.
What do advisories mean on an MOT history?
Advisories are notes the tester recorded about something that was not bad enough to fail the test but may need attention soon, such as tyre wear or a slightly corroded component. They are worth reading because the same advisory repeating over several tests often means a repair was delayed.
What is the difference between a major and a dangerous defect?
A major defect may affect safety or the environment and fails the test, so the vehicle needs repair and a retest. A dangerous defect is a direct and immediate risk to road safety, and the vehicle should not be driven until it is repaired. Both are recorded against the test.
Can I use a reg check to find the owner of a car?
No. Keeper names and addresses are personal data and are not shown. If you need to contact the keeper of a vehicle for a legitimate reason, there are official routes through the DVLA which require you to show reasonable cause, and the police can act in cases involving offences.
How do I find a private plate's original vehicle?
A registration can move between vehicles, so the VIN and logbook are the better guide. The DVLA records the current vehicle and the vehicle the number was first issued to. The free lookup shows what is currently recorded, including first registration details, which can hint at a transferred number if the age does not fit.
Can I do a reg check for a ULEZ or clean air zone?
A registration lookup can show fuel type and emissions class information, which helps you judge whether a vehicle is likely to meet a zone's standard. The authority that runs each zone provides its own checker, and that is the final word on whether a charge applies to a specific vehicle.
How often should I check MOT history?
Check a vehicle before you buy it, again before you pay if time has passed, and once or twice a year for your own vehicle to confirm the expiry date and tax status. A quick look a few weeks before expiry gives you time to book a test without rushing.
Does a valid MOT mean a car is in good condition?
Not necessarily. An MOT certificate confirms that the vehicle met the minimum legal standard on the day of the test. It does not cover the condition of the engine, gearbox or clutch, and it says nothing about how the car has been treated since. Use the history alongside an inspection and the service record.
What should I do if the mileage on the record looks wrong?
First compare it with the readings at the tests either side. A single typing slip is common and usually stands out against a steady pattern. If the pattern is genuinely odd, ask the seller or keeper to explain, look at the service history, and contact the test centre if you think a reading was entered incorrectly.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.
Key Terms Explained
- MOT test
- The annual roadworthiness and emissions check most vehicles in Great Britain need from their third anniversary of first registration.
- MOT history
- The recorded list of every MOT test a vehicle has taken, with results, advisories, defects and odometer readings.
- MOT expiry date
- The last day the current MOT certificate is valid, shown on the certificate and in the online record.
- Advisory
- A note from the tester about something that is wearing or close to failing but is not a fail on the day.
- Vehicle tax (VED)
- Vehicle excise duty, often called road tax, is paid for vehicles used or kept on public roads.
- SORN
- A Statutory Off Road Notification: a declaration to the DVLA that a vehicle is not being used or kept on public roads.
- V5C
- The registration certificate (logbook) that records the registered keeper of a vehicle; it is not proof of ownership.
- VIN
- The vehicle identification number: a unique 17-character code that identifies an individual vehicle.
- DVLA
- The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which holds vehicle registration and tax records in Great Britain.
- DVSA
- The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which runs the MOT scheme in Great Britain and publishes MOT results.
- DVA
- The Driver and Vehicle Agency, which runs vehicle testing in Northern Ireland, separate from the GB MOT.
- Write-off category
- A label (such as Category S or N) recording how an insurer classed a damaged vehicle that was not worth repairing.
- Motor Insurance Database
- The central database of insured vehicles in the UK; askMID lets the public search it.
- Odometer reading
- The mileage shown on a vehicle, recorded at each MOT so history can reveal suspicious drops.
- Outstanding finance
- Money still owed on a vehicle under a finance agreement, which a full history check can reveal.
- HPI check
- A commercial full history check covering finance, write-off and stolen data that a free MOT lookup does not show.