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MOT Check |
Check the MOT History of Any Vehicle
What is an MOT test?
Getting an MOT test is a big part of owning a car in the UK. The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test checks to see that a vehicle meets safety and environmental standards and includes checks on various vehicle parts, including lights, brakes, tires, seat belts, exhaust emissions, etc.
It is mandatory for every vehicle over 3 years old and must be renewed annually. You can also go for a test within one month before the expiry date. With this test, car owners can ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and safe to drive.
What is included in an MOT test?
An MOT test is a comprehensive vehicle inspection to ensure it meets the UK government’s road safety and environmental standards.
The following components are typically checked in an MOT test:
- Body/vehicle structure
- Seats
- Boot/tailgate
- Towbar
- Exhaust emissions
- Doors
- Mirrors
- Exhaust system
- Horn
- Brakes
- Tyres, wheels, and TPMS
- Bonnet
- Registration plates
- Lights
- Electrical wiring and battery
- Windscreen
- Wipers/washers
- Steering and suspension
- Seatbelts/SRS
- Fuel system
Getting an MOT History Check
An MOT history check provides the MOT test history of any vehicle using the registration number. This tool allows one to see whether a car has passed or failed its MOT tests, review records of tests that have been conducted previously and the parts of the vehicle that have been affected.
The MOT status check can also include specifics about when the next MOT test is due so that the owner, buyer, or seller can take further action. With our free MOT check service, you can easily find out if the MOT was passed in the previous test and expiration date.
Here is a list of data available with our instant MOT history check tool:
- Total number of tests
- Total tests passed
- Total tests failed
- Longest number of days between MOT tests
- Longest number of days out of MOT
- MOT test date
- Status of MOT test (Pass or failed)
- Next MOT due date
- Test ID
- Expiry date
- Recorded mileage
- Unit
- Advisory details
- Advisory annotation items
With our tool, you can get all these records provided in a document and verify any vehicle’s roadworthiness.
Let’s examine a car with reg number AK59ZVR. After decoding the plate number, it was found that it failed the MOT test in August 2023.
The report identifies several issues: play in the steering rack inner joints, worn-thin offside rear brake pads, and a tyre close to the legal limit, worn on the edge, and perished, and many more problems.
Two days after the failed test, the car retook the test, and passed this time. Check out more for yourself.
Why Should I Get an MOT Check?
It is recommended that car owners carry out MOT history checks to be aware of the test history and advisory notes and to know when the MOT expires.
Car buyers and sellers are also advised to check if a vehicle has been properly maintained and passed or failed tests in the past. Here are some reasons why a check is essential:
- An MOT history check can give you peace of mind by providing important information about the car’s past, including any previous failures, advisories, and repairs.
- It can also assist you in avoiding fraud in that it points out areas that seem fishy on the history of the vehicle.
- The MOT history of a vehicle assists car buyers and owners in determining the presence of undetectable issues in the car. This can help to prevent costly repairs in the future.
- For used car buyers, knowing the MOT status can give you negotiating power.
How to Prepare for an MOT Test
- Check the exterior lights, including headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights, and make sure they function properly. Replace any bulbs that are not working.
- Inspect the horns, wipers, and washers also. Make sure all parts are in good working condition.
- Next, inspect the tyres; look for cuts, bulges, or other signs of damage on the tyres.
- Also, pay attention to the brakes, engine, battery, and steering. You need to make sure that all vehicle parts are working properly.
- Look for rust, corrosion, and significant damage, especially in load-bearing areas.
- Ensure all doors and mirrors operate correctly and provide clear views.
- Check for leaks and ensure it’s securely attached. Ensure there is no excessive smoke or unusual noises from the exhaust.
- Check for cracks or chips, especially in the driver’s line of sight.
- Ensure the rearview window is secure and provides a clear view. Inspect and clean other windows, too.
- Check the oil, coolant, and brake fluid levels. Ensure that they are within recommended levels.
Note that classic cars older than 40 years do not need to take MOT tests.
Booking an appointment?
You just need to find the nearest MOT test centre to book an appointment. You can do this with the gov.uk test centre locator. Be careful enough to spot centres showing the blue sign with three white triangles. Only these centres can perform your MOT.
After selecting your preferred centre, proceed to book an appointment and pay the test fees. You can choose to drive down for your appointment on the said date or make an arrangement for your vehicle to be picked up and returned after the test.
After the test, check whether you failed or passed it and ask the test centre to give you a printed MOT certificate.
MOT categories
The MOT test results categories vehicle defects into different levels of severity. Here’s a table explaining the MOT categories as effective since 2018:
| Category | Description | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | The vehicle meets the minimum legal standards. | No action required other than regular maintenance. The vehicle receives an MOT certificate. |
| Advisory | Issues that are not serious enough to fail the test but could become problematic in the future. | These issues should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening. |
| Minor | Defects that have no significant impact on the safety of the vehicle or the environment. | These should be fixed at the earliest opportunity, but, the vehicle will still pass the test and can be driven. |
| Major | Defects that may affect the vehicle's safety, put other road users at risk, or impact the environment. | Repairs are required immediately. The vehicle will fail the test and needs to be taken in for fixes before retaking the test. |
| Dangerous | Defects that pose a direct and immediate risk to road safety or have a serious impact on the environment. | The vehicle will fail the test and cannot be driven until the defects are repaired. Immediate action is required. |
What To Do if Your Vehicle Fails the MOT Test
After the test, if you find out your vehicle failed due to “dangerous” or “major” problems, follow these steps:
1. Identify the problems:
The specific issues will be recorded on the MOT database, which you can check using an MOT check tool.
2. Get repairs done:
Go and visit an approved and a qualified mechanic to cater for the fixes of the identified problems. It is important to ensure that the mechanic diagnosing your car understands the MOT standards and the requirements.
3. Retest your vehicle:
After completing the repairs, you will need to do another MOT test again. You can actually get this for free or at a reduced cost if you return within a time frame.
4. Appeal the result:
If you believe the MOT test result is incorrect, you can appeal the result. Contact the DVSA to understand the appeal process.
5. Address dangerous problems immediately:
If the test identifies dangerous problems, you are not allowed to drive the car without rectifying the issues which the test indicated. If it only develops major problems, you can drive, but just to a repair shop or testing centre.
By following these steps, you can address the issues that caused the MOT test failure and ensure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy.
Check a vehicle’s MOT history Now!
Simply enter the Vehicle’s Registration Number into the Smart Car Check tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What cars need an MOT?
In the UK, all cars aged three years or older must have an MOT test carried out annually to ensure they meet road safety and environmental standards. If you are driving a new car, there is every possibility that your car doesn’t need an MOT..
2. How to check the MOT information?
If the vehicle in question does not have a current valid MOT certificate , you can use the Smart Car Check tool to find the MOT history and get a MOT history check for free. With this tool, you can also view other car records, car tax due dates, write-off info, registration details, outstanding finance cheques and countless other things.
3. How long does it take for MOT to update?
For the most part, MOT test results can be viewed on the government website within a 24-hour time frame of the completion of the test. Still, in some circumstances, it can be 5 days before the results are updated.
4. Can I view my MOT certificate online?
Can I view my MOT certificate online?
5. Can police detect expired MOT?
Yes, police officers have access to the DVLA database and within a short time, they can easily check the Mot status of any vehicle using its registration number. Where a car has not passed its MOT, the driver is subject to penalties which include fines and possible gains of driving licence points.
