MOT History is an independent, free vehicle information service for UK drivers, buyers, sellers, riders and small fleet owners. Enter a registration number and it shows details drawn from official DVSA MOT and DVLA vehicle records, including MOT status and expiry, test history, tax status and basic vehicle details. It is not the DVLA, the DVSA, the DVA or an insurer.
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
Because people act on this kind of information, the aim is plain: show what the official records say, say clearly what they do not say, and point you to GOV.UK for anything that needs an official answer. Nothing here replaces the records held by government bodies or advice from a qualified professional.
Who MOT History Is For
The service is built for anyone who needs a quick, readable view of a vehicle's official record. Most visitors arrive with a registration number and one practical question.
Drivers and keepers
Keepers use it to see when an MOT is due and whether vehicle tax is showing as current, so that a deadline does not slip past.
Used-car buyers
Buyers use the MOT history to see past failures, advisories and recorded mileage before committing to a viewing or a deposit.
Sellers
Sellers can check how their own record appears to a buyer. An accurate, easy-to-read record helps a sale go smoothly.
What The Free Lookup Shows
Entering a registration number returns the details held in official records for vehicles registered in Great Britain. Where a field is held, you can typically see:
- Make, model and colour
- Fuel type and engine size
- MOT status and expiry date
- The full MOT test history with pass or fail results
- Advisories and defects recorded at each test
- Odometer readings recorded at each test
- Tax status and due date
- CO2 and Euro emissions status where recorded
- Year of manufacture or first registration
- The date the V5C logbook was last issued
- Whether the vehicle is marked as exported
Why that set of fields
They are the facts most people need to judge a vehicle quickly, and they come straight from official records rather than opinion.
Reading a result
Start with the MOT status, then read the history from the oldest test to the newest to see how the vehicle has aged.
Where MOT Data Comes From
People often ask where MOT data comes from. The answer is the DVSA, the government agency that runs the MOT scheme in Great Britain. Test centres record each MOT test result, including advisories, defects and the odometer reading, and that information forms the public MOT history.
DVSA MOT data in practice
The DVSA MOT data covers test dates, results, mileage and the reasons for any failure. It is updated as test centres submit results.
Why it is useful
Because each result is recorded at the time of the test, the history builds an objective timeline of a vehicle's condition.
Where Vehicle Details Come From
The basic description of a vehicle, such as make, colour, fuel and registration date, comes from the DVLA, which holds the vehicle register for Great Britain. The DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service on GOV.UK is the official place to check the make and model, tax and MOT status of a vehicle.
DVLA vehicle data
The DVLA vehicle data also covers tax status, the date a V5C was last issued and some emissions details.
Two bodies, two jobs
The DVSA handles testing and the DVLA handles registration and tax. The lookup brings the two together in one view.
Independence: Not DVLA, DVSA Or An Insurer
MOT History is independent. It is not the DVLA, the DVSA, the DVA in Northern Ireland or an insurer, and it does not act for them.
What that means for you
Nothing shown here is an official decision. If you need a decision, such as whether a vehicle can be taxed or tested, the official body has the final word.
No endorsements
The information is neutral. Any brand or service mentioned is named as something people search for, not recommended or reviewed.
What The Free Lookup Cannot Show
A registration lookup is narrower than many people expect. It does not show:
- Insurance status
- Outstanding finance on a vehicle
- Write-off or stolen status
- Service history
- Previous keepers or ownership details
- The vehicle's VIN in most cases
Where those checks come from
Insurance information sits with the insurer and the Motor Insurance Database, finance and write-off data with specialist providers, and stolen records with the police. See check finance on a car and is my car insured.
Be honest with yourself
A clean MOT history does not mean a car is sound or legitimate. Use it alongside inspection and paperwork.
Great Britain And Northern Ireland
The lookup covers records for Great Britain. Northern Ireland runs its own MOT test through the DVA, and its records are separate.
What to do in Northern Ireland
See MOT in Northern Ireland for how the system differs and where to check.
Vehicles that cross the border
A vehicle moved from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, or the reverse, may have records in both systems.
| Point | Great Britain | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| MOT data | Held by DVSA | Different system, check coverage |
| Vehicle records | DVLA | Different arrangements may apply |
| Free lookup coverage | Generally good | May be limited |
Accuracy: An Honest Position
The information shown reflects official records, which are usually accurate but not perfect. A record can be out of date, incomplete or wrong.
Why errors happen
A test centre may enter a reading incorrectly, a keeper may not report a change, or a record may not have updated yet.
How to treat a result
Treat it as strong evidence, not a guarantee. If something looks odd, verify it with the vehicle, the V5C logbook and the official body.
How Often Records Are Updated
Records update as the DVSA and DVLA receive information. MOT results usually appear soon after a test, but there can be a delay.
If a test is not showing
See why is my MOT not showing online for common reasons, such as a recent test or a typing error.
Tax and SORN changes
Tax and SORN updates can also take a short time to show, so check again later if you have just made a change.
Where MOT History Helps Most
The MOT history is one of the most practical public records for a used vehicle.
Mileage over time
Recorded odometer readings create a timeline. See mileage check for how to read it sensibly.
Repeating faults
Advisories that keep reappearing can point to a neglected problem, such as corrosion or worn suspension parts.
Pass and fail patterns
A run of failures followed by a pass may suggest repairs were needed. The details tell you what was fixed.
How To Use A Lookup Result When Buying A Car
A record is a starting point for questions, not a substitute for inspection.
- Check the registration and record match the car in front of you
- Read the MOT history from oldest to newest
- Compare mileage with the car's display
- Ask about any failures and advisories
- Check finance, write-off and stolen status separately
Further reading
See what to look for when buying a used car for checks that go beyond the record.
How To Use A Result As An Owner
If you own the vehicle, the result is a reminder system and a record check.
- Note your MOT expiry date and plan the test
- Check that tax is showing correctly
- Look for errors in make, model and colour
- Keep your MOT certificate and V5C logbook safe
Planning your test
Check when your MOT is due and book early. You can usually test up to a month before expiry and keep the same renewal date.
Privacy In General Terms
A registration lookup shows facts about a vehicle, not about a person. It does not show a keeper's name or address.
What is collected
MOT History is designed so that you can look up a vehicle without creating an account, but any privacy details, including how information is handled, should be read in the relevant policy where one is published.
Sensible use
Use lookups to check vehicles, not to trace people. Keeper details are protected by law.
Reporting A Wrong MOT Record
If an MOT record looks wrong, contact the DVSA. The test centre that issued the result can also help, because it may be able to correct a typing error.
What to have ready
- The registration number
- The test date and result
- Any MOT certificate you hold
- Photos of the odometer if a reading is disputed
Follow GOV.UK
GOV.UK explains how to query or challenge a test result, and the DVSA sets the process.
Reporting A Wrong Vehicle Record
If details such as colour, fuel, engine size or date of registration look wrong, contact the DVLA. A change may need supporting evidence.
Common examples
A respray, a fuel conversion or a typing error at registration are frequent causes.
Updating the V5C
Keepers can usually update details through the V5C logbook process (the V5C is often called the log book), which GOV.UK describes. See what information is on a vehicle registration document for what each box means.
What Is An MOT, Briefly
An MOT test is an annual check of roadworthiness and emissions for vehicles over a certain age. It is normally needed from the third anniversary of first registration.
Validity
An MOT certificate is normally valid for 12 months, and you can usually test up to a month early and keep the same renewal date.
Why it matters
Driving without a valid MOT may be an offence unless a limited exception applies. See MOT meaning for background.
Understanding MOT Results
Results fall into a few categories, and each means something different. The MOT includes an emissions test, and a pass is recorded on a VT20 certificate while a fail is recorded on a VT30 refusal notice.
- Pass: the vehicle met the standard on the day
- Advisory: something to watch that did not cause a fail
- Minor defect: a small fault that did not fail the test
- Major defect: a fault that fails the test
- Dangerous defect: a fault that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive
Retests
After a failure, a retest may be possible within a set period, and the test centre can explain the rules.
Tax And SORN In The Record
The record can show whether a vehicle is taxed, SORN or untaxed. SORN is a declaration that a vehicle is off the road.
Why status matters
Buying a vehicle does not transfer its tax, and driving an untaxed vehicle may lead to a penalty. Check current rules on GOV.UK.
More detail
See vehicle tax status check and check if a vehicle is SORN.
Number Plates And Registration Numbers
A registration number appears on the plate and in the record, but plates can be transferred between vehicles. A private plate or cherished transfer is moved onto another vehicle through the DVLA, and a V778 retention document can hold a number off a vehicle until it is reassigned.
Age identifiers
Current-style plates carry an age identifier that suggests when the vehicle was first registered. See UK number plate rules.
VIN and chassis number
The VIN, or vehicle identification number, also called the chassis number, identifies the vehicle itself. See what is a VIN number for a vehicle.
Classic, Historic And Older Vehicles
Some older vehicles are exempt from the MOT if unmodified, so their records may show few or no recent tests.
What to expect
A missing test is not automatically a warning sign for an exempt vehicle, though it does mean less history to read.
Further reading
See MOT age exemption for how the rules work, and check GOV.UK for the current position.
Motorbikes, Vans And Larger Vehicles
The same lookup works for vehicles registered in Great Britain, including motorbikes and vans. Test classes differ by vehicle type and weight.
Motorbikes
See the motorbike MOT guide for class and test details.
HGVs and trailers
Heavy vehicles and trailers have different testing arrangements. See HGV and trailer MOT check.
What The Service Does Not Do
MOT History is an information service. It does not test vehicles, issue certificates, sell cars, tax vehicles or change records.
- It does not book MOT tests
- It does not issue certificates
- It does not tax or SORN a vehicle
- It does not alter DVLA or DVSA records
Where to do those things
The official services on GOV.UK handle taxing, SORN, V5C changes and complaints about tests.
Advice And Its Limits
Guides on the service explain how the system works in general terms. They are not legal, financial or mechanical advice.
Hedged statements
Where a rule can vary, the wording uses terms like usually or typically, and points to GOV.UK for the current position.
No prices or rates
Fees, tax rates and penalty amounts change, so they are not stated. Check the official source.
Getting The Best From A Lookup
A few habits make the results more useful.
- Enter the registration number carefully, without spaces
- Check the make and colour match the vehicle
- Read the full history, not just the latest result
- Note any advisories and ask about them
- Re-check close to a purchase or a test date
Common input mistakes
Confusing 0 and O, or 1 and I, is a frequent cause of a wrong or missing result.
Why Some Lookups Return Nothing
A lookup can return no result for several reasons, and most are simple.
Typing errors
A wrong character is the commonest cause. Re-enter the number and try again.
New or very old vehicles
A brand-new vehicle may not have a record yet, and some older or exempt vehicles may have limited data.
Northern Ireland and imports
Northern Ireland vehicles are separate, and recently imported vehicles may take time to appear. See car import check.
Responsible Use Of Vehicle Information
Vehicle checks are for legitimate purposes, such as buying, selling, owning and maintaining a vehicle.
What not to do
Do not use a record to harass, trace or pressure anyone, and do not try to alter or hide your own vehicle's identity.
Illegal practices
Cloning plates, tampering with odometers and driving without valid insurance or MOT are offences, and nothing here suggests otherwise.
Why Official Records Are Worth Reading Carefully
Official records are compiled at the time of each event, which gives them a weight that an advert or a verbal promise does not have. A test result is entered by a test centre, a registration detail is entered by the vehicle register, and neither depends on a seller's memory.
The limits of a snapshot
A record captures a moment. A vehicle can change after its last test, so a good result months ago says little about today.
Reading between the lines
Look at gaps, changes in pattern and sudden jumps. Those often say more than a single pass.
- A long gap between tests
- A sharp drop in recorded mileage
- Repeated advisories for the same part
- A change of colour or fuel type
Common Questions People Bring To A Lookup
Most visits start with a question that has a practical answer. The record helps with some of them and points elsewhere for others.
Is the MOT current
The MOT status and expiry date answer this directly, and how long an MOT certificate is valid for explains the usual 12-month rule.
Is the car taxed
The tax line shows the recorded status. Tax is not transferred when a vehicle is sold, so a new keeper needs to arrange their own.
Has it been tested in the last year
The history shows dates, so you can see whether a vehicle has been tested regularly or left for long periods.
How To Tell Whether A Source Is Trustworthy
Vehicle information is sold and shared in many ways, and not all of it is reliable. A few checks help you decide how much weight to give any source.
Ask where the data comes from
A trustworthy service says whether its information comes from official DVSA and DVLA records or from commercial databases, and explains what it cannot show.
Be cautious with promises
No check can guarantee a vehicle is problem-free. A service that claims otherwise should be treated with caution.
Prefer the official route for decisions
For taxing, SORN, registration changes and disputes about a test, go to the official service on GOV.UK.
Feedback And Corrections
Information on the service is written to be accurate and hedged where rules vary, but rules and services change. If something looks out of date, check GOV.UK for the current position before you act on it.
When you spot a mistake, treat official guidance as the final word, and use it to double-check anything that affects your money, safety or legal position.
Get Started
To check a vehicle, enter the registration into the free MOT history checker or use the MOT check. If you need help reading a result, the topic guides explain each part in plain English.
If you are buying
Combine the record with an inspection, a test drive and the V5C logbook.
If you own the vehicle
Keep an eye on your MOT expiry date and tax status, and keep your paperwork safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MOT History?
It is an independent, free vehicle information service. You enter a registration number and it shows details drawn from official DVSA MOT and DVLA vehicle records, such as MOT status, test history, tax status and basic vehicle details. It is not the DVLA, the DVSA, the DVA or an insurer, and it does not issue certificates.
Is MOT History official or government run?
No. It is independent and is not affiliated with the DVLA, DVSA, DVA or any insurer. It presents information from official records, but anything that needs an official decision, such as taxing a vehicle or challenging a test result, must go through the relevant government service on GOV.UK.
Where does the MOT data come from?
MOT results come from the DVSA, which runs the MOT scheme in Great Britain. Test centres record each result, including advisories, defects and odometer readings. The basic vehicle description and tax status come from the DVLA vehicle register. The lookup brings those two official sources together.
Is the lookup really free?
Yes, entering a registration number to see the vehicle details, MOT status and history is free. Some other services charge for extra checks such as finance or write-off data, which are held by different providers. If you are unsure what a service includes, read what it says it covers before paying.
What information does the lookup not show?
It does not show insurance, outstanding finance, write-off or stolen status, service history or previous keepers. It does not normally show the VIN either. Those details sit with insurers, specialist data providers, the police or the registered keeper, so use separate checks if they matter to your decision.
How accurate is the information?
It reflects official records, which are usually accurate but can be out of date, incomplete or wrong. A typing error at a test centre or an unreported change can cause a mistake. Treat a result as strong evidence, verify it against the vehicle and its paperwork, and report errors to the relevant body.
How often are records updated?
MOT results usually appear soon after a test and tax or SORN changes usually follow shortly after they are made, though there can be delays. If a recent change is not showing, wait a short time and check again, then contact the DVSA or DVLA if it still does not appear.
Does it work for Northern Ireland?
The lookup covers Great Britain records. Northern Ireland runs its own MOT test through the DVA, and its records are separate. If you need Northern Ireland information, use the official NI services described on GOV.UK or nidirect, or see the guide to MOT in Northern Ireland.
What should I do if an MOT record is wrong?
Contact the DVSA, and if the error came from a particular test centre, contact that centre too, because it may be able to correct a typing mistake. Keep your MOT certificate, dates and any photos of the odometer, and follow the process explained on GOV.UK.
What should I do if the vehicle details are wrong?
Contact the DVLA. Details such as colour, fuel type, engine size or registration date come from the vehicle register, and a change may need evidence. Keepers can usually update details through the V5C logbook process, which GOV.UK explains. Keep any invoices or documents that support the correction.
Does the service store my registration searches or personal data?
Privacy handling is described in general terms here: a lookup shows vehicle facts, not personal details about a keeper. For specifics on how information is handled, read any privacy policy published for the service, and avoid entering personal information you do not need to share.
Can I rely on a clean MOT history when buying a car?
A clean history is encouraging but not a guarantee. It does not show finance, write-off status, insurance or service history, and it cannot reveal problems that appeared after the last test. Combine it with a physical inspection, the V5C logbook and other checks before you pay.
Why is my vehicle not showing up?
Common reasons include a typing error, a brand-new vehicle with no record yet, a Northern Ireland vehicle, an exempt older vehicle or a very recent test that has not appeared. Check the registration carefully and try again later. If the problem continues, the DVLA or DVSA can advise.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.