What Does a Car's MOT History Show, Going Back to 2005?
Computerised MOT records give every test a date, a result and a mileage reading, plus the faults found. Read in order, they tell a car's story.
Published
What is in the record
Each test entry shows the date, whether the car passed or failed, and the odometer reading recorded by the tester. Failures list the faults that caused them. Passes can include advisories: things the tester noticed that were not yet bad enough to fail, such as tyres wearing down or a corroding brake pipe.
The official history is available online from 2005. Older tests, and cars that have never been tested, will not have entries to show.
How to read it
Look at the pattern, not just the latest pass. A run of annual passes with small advisories is ordinary wear. Repeated failures for the same fault, or an advisory that appears year after year and is never fixed, are worth asking about. A gap between tests can mean the car was off the road, or that it was driven without an MOT.
Mileage readings should rise steadily. A reading that drops needs an explanation; our guide to mileage clocking explains how to tell a keying error from something more serious.
What it does not show
MOT history is a snapshot of the day of each test and not a full service record. It will not tell you whether a car has been written off, has outstanding finance or is recorded as stolen. Those come from other checks.
How to check an MOT history
- 1
Enter the registration
Use the box on this page or the GOV.UK MOT history service.
- 2
Read the tests in date order
Note any fails, repeated advisories and gaps between tests.
- 3
Compare the mileage readings
Each reading should be higher than the one before it.
- 4
Ask the seller about anything odd
A good seller will have receipts or an explanation for repeated faults.
See a car's full MOT history
Enter a UK registration for its MOT test history and mileage timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How far back does MOT history go?
The online history covers tests recorded from 2005 onwards.
Is MOT history free to check?
Yes. The official MOT history is published by the DVSA and can be checked at no charge for any registration.
What is an advisory?
An advisory is a note from the tester about something that is not yet a failure but may need attention soon.
Does a pass mean the car is in good condition?
No. A pass means it met the minimum standard on the day of the test, not that it is mechanically sound in every respect.
Can MOT history prove a car has not been clocked?
Not by itself, but a steady, rising mileage record is a useful sign.
Sources
General information only. Rules can change, so confirm the current position on GOV.UK before you rely on it.