How far back does MOT history go?

The DVSA holds MOT records going back approximately 20 years. For most cars, this covers the entire history of MOT testing. Each test shows the date, result (pass/fail), mileage, and any advisories or failure reasons.

Can I use MOT history to spot clocked mileage?

Yes — this is one of the most valuable uses of free MOT history. Every MOT records the odometer reading. Compare readings year by year: mileage should increase consistently. Any decrease in mileage is definitive proof of clocking. An implausibly low reading for the car's age also warrants investigation.

What do MOT advisories mean?

Advisories are items noted by the tester as potential future failures — they are not bad enough to fail the current test, but will need attention. A long list of advisories or the same advisories repeating year after year indicates the car has been run cheaply without proper maintenance.

Is there a charge for the DVSA MOT history check?

No. The DVSA MOT history check at gov.uk/check-mot-history is completely free, requires no registration, and provides instant results. There is no reason to use a paid service for MOT history data — the government data is the primary source.

Free MOT History Check — How to Access Your Vehicle Records

What the Free MOT History Check Shows

Test dates

Every MOT test date going back approximately 20 years — regardless of whether it passed or failed.

Pass/fail results

Clearly shows which tests the car failed and which it passed, revealing any pattern of repeated failures.

Mileage at each test

The odometer reading recorded at every test. This is your most powerful tool for detecting clocked mileage.

Failure reasons

When a test was failed, the specific items that caused failure are listed. Structural failures or brake failures are serious.

Advisories

Items noted as marginal — not a fail, but needing attention. Repeated advisories for the same item suggest deferred maintenance.

How to Run the Free Check

Visit gov.uk/check-mot-history
Enter the vehicle registration number
Enter the MOT test number (optional — not required for history)
Results display instantly — all test history available immediately

Reading the Mileage Pattern

Create a mental timeline of recorded mileages. A car covering 10,000 miles per year should show consistent increases of approximately 10,000 between annual MOTs. Red flags:

Any decrease in mileage — impossible unless odometer was wound back (clocking)
Suspicious drop — e.g., 95,000 then 45,000 the following year
Implausibly low total — a 12-year-old car with 40,000 miles needs corroboration
Gaps in records — years with no MOT may indicate the car was off the road or records are missing

MOT History and Maintenance Patterns

Repeated advisories for the same items (e.g., corroded brake pipes appearing for three consecutive years) indicate a car being run on a tight budget without proper maintenance. This often signals deferred servicing elsewhere too.

View MOT history for any UK vehicle on VEHIXA — plus tax status and full vehicle details in one place.