MOT History Check
In the UK, vehicle owners must ensure they are getting an MOT certificate to comply with safety and environmental regulations. MOT tests are required for most vehicles over three years old to guarantee safety and environmental compliance. Use our free MOT check tool to check your MOT due date and see prior inspections.
How Does Our MOT Check Work?
What’s Included in Our MOT Check?
- MOT Expiry Date: Specifies the due date and remaining days.
- MOT Test Results: Detailed history of MOT testing, including dates, timings, failure notifications, and cautionary remarks.
- MOT Mileage History: Complete record of MOT test mileage readings.
- Mileage Discrepancies: Detect mileage discrepancies between MOT tests.
- MOT Failure Reasons: Detailed updates for vehicle MOT failures, including specific reasons for failure and necessary corrective actions.
- Countdown to Next MOT: Shows the remaining days until the next MOT or the duration since the vehicle's MOT expired.
Why Is Checking Your MOT Important?
UK roads prohibit driving without an MOT certificate, which can have major consequences. Keep your MOT up to date to prevent penalties like points on licence, £1,000 fines, and a driving suspension.
Maintaining your MOT status helps you comply and prevent dangers. To sell your car or van, you need a valid MOT certificate, as you cannot complete the sale without one.
What Does an MOT Test Check For?
An MOT is a yearly inspection that checks your vehicle inside and out for UK road safety and legality. The DVLA MOT Inspection Manual is followed to ensure compliance. Each year, the MOT certificate records your car's performance, including:
- Safety Features: Ensures required safety features, such as seat belts, dashboard warning lights, and brake systems, and match DVLA legal criteria.
- Functionality: Ensures functioning of vehicle components, assuring roadworthiness and legal driving.
- Emissions: Ensures car emissions meet legal and environmental requirements to avoid driving restrictions.
- Existing Issues: Identifies and assesses possible flaws to avoid breakdowns and accidents as existing issues.
MOT Test Components: Key Checks
MOT inspections assess a vehicle’s safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions to ensure compliance with legal standards. The test evaluates crucial components:
Lamps, Reflectors, and Electrical Equipment:
Steering and Suspension:
Brakes:
Wheels and Tyres:
Seats and Seat Belts:
Body, Vehicle Structure, and General Items:
Fuel System, Exhaust, and Emissions:
Driver’s View of the Road:
How to Book an MOT Test?
- Schedule MOT Tests in Advance: You can renew your MOT up to one month (minus one day) before it expires without losing any remaining validity.
- Select an Approved Testing Centre: Look for a garage with a blue sign and three white triangles, indicating MOT testing authorisation.
- Book Your Appointment: Contact the garage or MOT station to book your test. Many testing centres provide online booking for convenience.
- Prepare for Your Test: When bringing your vehicle for an MOT, bring the V5C logbook if needed since certain testing centres may demand it.
Avoid last-minute worry and guarantee your vehicle satisfies legal safety requirements by booking your MOT in advance.
MOT FAQs – Everything You Need to Know
What is an MOT?
An MOT is a required check to make sure a car, motorbike, or other vehicle is safe to drive and meets road standards. The MOT test, originally introduced by the Ministry of Transport, is required for vehicles over three years old to ensure safety and roadworthiness.
Only trained MOT experts at approved test centres can carry out MOTs. These include local garages, national chains, and council-run facilities.
How do I check my MOT status?
Use Car Details Check’s free MOT check tool or the DVLA website to verify your vehicle's MOT status online. Enter your vehicle's registration number to see its MOT history, including pass/fail, advisory remarks, and expiration date.
Staying updated about your MOT status lets you arrange your next test in advance to keep your car roadworthy and legal.
When is my MOT due?
Our MOT check website lets you see your vehicle's DVLA MOT history and due date by entering its registration number. The report highlights MOT failures, cautions, and warnings to keep you informed about the vehicle.
MOT history is particularly important when buying a secondhand vehicle since it reveals prior difficulties and roadworthiness.
How early can I book an MOT?
You can test your vehicle one month (minus one day) before the MOT expires and keep the renewal date. This increases MOT validity to 13 months.
If you take the MOT test more than a month early, the new certificate will be valid for 12 months from the test date. MOT requirements for vehicles registered in Northern Ireland may have separate rules.
Can I drive my car if it fails an MOT?
All UK vehicles must have an MOT to drive.
If your vehicle fails its MOT, you can only drive it under these conditions:
- Scheduled MOT retest appointment
- Visited garage for repairs
Driving without a valid MOT, except in the following cases, can result in fines.
How much does an MOT cost?
How long does an MOT take?
What happens if my car fails its MOT?
- Dangerous faults: Repairs are required before driving. Towing or fixing it at the MOT facility is required.
- Major defects: Drive to another garage for repairs if your prior MOT is valid and no serious issues exist.
Retesting options:
- Free partial retest offered for repairs at the same garage or upon vehicle return later that day.
- A partial retest is available at a discounted charge if returned within 10 days.
How do I correct a mileage error on my MOT certificate?
The MOT testing station that issued your certificate may amend a mileage miscalculation. They will help with the fixing procedure, which usually entails presenting mileage verification and other paperwork. You can also report the mistake to the DVLA for further assistance.
Where can I get an MOT?
Only authorised MOT testing centres with the blue symbol with three white triangles may perform MOTs. Most garages provide MOT testing, so you may utilise the same trustworthy facility for servicing.
- England, Wales, and Scotland: Check gov.uk for authorised MOT test centres.
- Northern Ireland: Customers may book MOT testing online using the official system.
Can I drive without an MOT?
No, driving without an MOT is illegal. Only pre-booked MOT tests and garage repairs following an MOT failure are exempt. Fines up to £1,000, licence points or vehicle seizing could result from noncompliance.
Do all cars need an MOT?
Vehicles under three years old do not need an MOT. If they have not changed much in the past 30 years, vehicles created or registered over 40 years ago are exempt. Consult government rules or a historical vehicle specialist to determine your car's exemption status.
Even without an MOT, your vehicle must be roadworthy. If your MOT expires, you may only drive to a pre-booked test appointment if the car is safe.
How do I report a vehicle with no MOT?
Contact your local police about a vehicle without an MOT. Call 101 for non-emergency police assistance.
