Updated May 2026
How to check MOT history by registration
To check MOT history by registration, enter the UK reg into MOT Checkup's free MOT check and the full DVSA record loads instantly — every test result, mileage reading, advisory and defect from 2005 onwards. No sign-up, no card, no V5C document needed.
Try it now — enter a registration:
TL;DR
Reg in, history out. Three steps: type the registration, hit search, scroll the timeline. Works for any vehicle registered in Great Britain that's been MOT-tested since digital records began in 2005.
Step-by-step
- Find the registration. It's on the front and rear number plates, the V5C logbook, the insurance documents, or any recent MOT certificate. Spaces don't matter.
- Enter it on the search box. Use our free MOT check page or the home page search.
- Read the timeline. You'll see each MOT test in reverse chronological order, with the test date, mileage at the time, the result, and any items the tester logged.
- Look for red flags. Mileage going backwards between tests, repeated failures on the same component, big gaps in testing, or a sudden switch of test station are all worth pausing on.
What the report shows you
- Pass or fail for every annual test on record.
- Recorded mileage at each test, so you can plot the mileage trail and spot tampering.
- Defects classified as dangerous, major or minor — the system introduced in May 2018.
- Advisories — early warnings about components that are wearing but haven't yet failed.
- Test station details, useful if you want to spot a sudden switch from a main dealer to a less rigorous garage.
Things people get wrong
- Confusing MOT and tax. An MOT history check shows roadworthiness over time. To see if the vehicle is currently taxed, use our tax check.
- Assuming a clean history means a clean car. The MOT only tests roadworthiness on the day. It says nothing about engine health between tests, accident damage that was repaired, or outstanding finance.
- Reading the test station as gospel. A "pass" issued by a garage with a poor reputation is still a pass on the DVSA record, but worth a second look.
Going further than MOT history
MOT history is the foundation, but it's not the whole picture. If you're buying, also run a stolen check and look up the model's typical weak points on our common faults pages.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the V5C logbook to check MOT history?
No. The registration number alone is enough. Unlike a tax check or DVLA enquiry, MOT history is fully public and doesn't require the V5C document reference number.
Will the owner be told I've checked the car?
No. MOT lookups are anonymous. The DVSA doesn't notify the registered keeper, and no record of who checked which vehicle is shared with sellers.
What if no MOT history shows up?
Three common reasons: the vehicle is under three years old and hasn't been tested yet, it's a class of vehicle exempt from MOT (such as some pre-1960 vehicles), or the registration was entered incorrectly. Double-check the reg, including the spacing and the letter O versus zero.
Can I check a Northern Ireland registration?
MOT testing in Northern Ireland is run by DVA Northern Ireland, not the DVSA, and uses a separate database. Vehicles registered in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) appear on MOT Checkup; NI-registered vehicles do not.
Does checking MOT history cost anything?
No. Our MOT history check is free, with no sign-up and no usage cap.
How do I check a Northern Ireland vehicle's test history?
NI vehicles are tested under the DVA scheme, not DVSA, so they sit outside the GOV.UK MOT history feed used here. To get an NI test record, request it directly from the Driver & Vehicle Agency at nidirect.gov.uk — they can provide test certificates and history under their separate system. Scotland and Wales use the same DVSA scheme as England, so check our service as normal.
How do I verify the MOT certificate I've been shown is real?
Cross-check it against the live DVSA record. Run the registration through MOT Checkup or the official GOV.UK service and confirm the certificate number, test date, expiry date, mileage, and tester's identifier all match the digital record. Any discrepancy — even one digit on the certificate number — means the document is forged. Forged MOT certificates are still in circulation, particularly with low-end private sales.