How to Read an MOT Certificate — VT20 and VT30 Decoded
Every MOT test produces a certificate — either a VT20 (pass) or a VT30 (fail). Understanding what each section means, how to verify a certificate is genuine, and how to interpret advisory items helps you make sense of a used car's history and avoid being misled by a fraudulent document.
The VT20 — MOT Pass Certificate
The VT20 is issued when a vehicle passes its MOT test. It contains:
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Vehicle registration number | The registration at the time of test — may differ if a personalised plate was applied later |
| VIN / chassis number | The 17-character VIN recorded by the tester — compare to the physical VIN plate on the car |
| Odometer reading | Mileage at time of test — forms part of the DVSA mileage timeline |
| Test date | Date the test was carried out |
| Expiry date | 12 months from the test date (not from the previous certificate expiry) |
| Testing station number | Unique identifier for the garage — not the garage name |
| Certificate number | Unique certificate reference — used to verify authenticity online |
| Advisory items | Items noted but not failing — listed below the pass result if present |
| Tester signature | Signed by the DVSA-authorised tester who conducted the test |
The VT30 — MOT Failure Certificate
The VT30 is issued when a vehicle fails. It contains the same vehicle identification fields as the VT20, plus a detailed list of failure items. Each item is categorised:
- ▸Dangerous — vehicle cannot legally be driven on public roads until repaired
- ▸Major — vehicle must be repaired before it can be certified as roadworthy
- ▸Minor — recorded but does not constitute a fail (similar to old-style advisory)
Each failure item is described using DVSA standard terminology. Common descriptions include "offside front tyre tread depth below legal limit" or "nearside brake lamp inoperative." The descriptions identify the component, location (nearside/offside, front/rear), and the specific defect.
Understanding Nearside and Offside
MOT certificates use vehicle orientation terminology that can confuse first-time buyers:
- ▸Nearside — the side closest to the kerb when driving on the left (UK) — the left side of the vehicle
- ▸Offside — the side furthest from the kerb — the right side of the vehicle (driver side on UK cars)
- ▸Front — forward of the vehicle
- ▸Rear — behind the vehicle
How to Verify an MOT Certificate Is Genuine
MOT certificate forgery does occur — usually to make an untested or failing car appear to have a valid MOT. To verify any certificate:
- 1.Go to gov.uk/check-mot-history and enter the vehicle registration.
- 2.Check that a test appears for the date shown on the physical certificate.
- 3.Verify the mileage on the certificate matches the DVSA record for that test date.
- 4.Check the VIN on the certificate matches the VIN visible on the dashboard plate of the car.
If any of these checks fail — particularly if no test appears in the DVSA database for the date shown — the certificate is likely fraudulent. Do not proceed with the purchase.
Reading Advisory Items — What They Tell You
Advisories are not failures, but they are not nothing. A single advisory on a single test is normal — nearly all cars receive some. But patterns matter:
- ▸The same advisory at every test for 5 years means the owner has known about the issue and not fixed it
- ▸An advisory for a component that typically worsens quickly (e.g. tyre tread approaching limit) means it may be a failure at the next test
- ▸VEHIXA presents the full advisory history across all tests — useful for spotting repeated neglect that a single certificate cannot show
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is on an MOT certificate?
An MOT pass certificate (VT20) includes: the vehicle registration number, VIN/chassis number, odometer reading at time of test, test date, expiry date (12 months from the test date), the testing station number, and the tester's signature. It may also note any advisory items. For a fail, the document is a VT30 (Refusal of MOT Certificate), which lists all failure reasons with their defect categories.
How do I verify an MOT certificate is genuine?
You can verify any MOT certificate online at gov.uk/check-mot-history by entering the vehicle registration number. The DVSA database will show the test results, including the certificate number. If the certificate number shown does not match the online record, or if no record exists for the date shown on the certificate, the document may be fraudulent.
What are advisory items on an MOT?
Advisory items are issues noted by the tester that are not yet severe enough to cause a failure, but that may deteriorate before the next test. Common advisories include tyres approaching the legal minimum tread depth, minor corrosion, and slightly worn brake pads. You are not legally required to repair advisories immediately, but repeating advisories across multiple tests indicate a neglected issue.
Does an MOT certificate prove a car is roadworthy?
An MOT certificate proves the vehicle met the minimum legal standard at the moment of testing. It does not prove the car is in excellent condition, nor does it remain valid if the car develops a fault after the test. If you drive a car you know to be unroadworthy, even with a valid MOT certificate, you may be driving without insurance and committing an offence.
What is the difference between VT20 and VT30?
VT20 is the MOT pass certificate — issued when a vehicle passes its MOT test, valid for 12 months. VT30 is the Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate — issued when a vehicle fails, listing all the reasons for failure with their defect categories. VT20 confirms roadworthiness; VT30 is proof of what needs repairing before the vehicle can be certified.
Check the Full MOT History Online
VEHIXA shows every test result, advisory item, and failure reason across the complete DVSA MOT history — far more than any single certificate shows.
Check MOT History