{"id":1289,"date":"2023-11-30T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mrclutch.com\/blog\/?p=1289"},"modified":"2023-11-30T09:24:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T09:24:42","slug":"how-to-check-mot-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrclutch.com\/blog\/how-to-check-mot-history\/","title":{"rendered":"How to check MOT history"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Want to learn more about the MOT history of a vehicle? In this article, we\u2019ll explain why checking this can be beneficial, what is shown on an MOT history check, and how you can access one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why check MOT history?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alongside its service history<\/strong><\/a>, a car\u2019s MOT history is a quick and easy way to get a snapshot of the vehicle\u2019s past in terms of maintenance and repairs. This can be helpful if you\u2019re buying a car, as it allows you to get a feel for how reliable the vehicle is and how well it has been looked after by previous owners. If it has repeatedly failed its MOT for the same reason each time, for example, this might be an indicator of an underlying problem that is either too complicated or too costly to repair. As well, MOT and service histories should show you the mileage of the car recorded at the time. Comparing these can help you to spot illegal \u2018clocking\u2019 – the practice of turning back the odometer to make the car appear as though it has been used less than the reality in order to hike up the asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flip side, an MOT history check can also be helpful if you\u2019re the one selling the car. By checking this information beforehand and providing it to potential buyers, you can show them that the vehicle has been looked after well in your care, with no advisories flagged at MOTs. This can be useful if you only have a partial service history available, as it can help to reassure buyers that the car has been well-maintained even if you don\u2019t have the invoices and paperwork to prove it directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, MOT history checks can be used to find information on previous maintenance issues for insurance purposes. Plus, if you\u2019ve lost track of when your next MOT is due<\/a>, you need confirmation of your car\u2019s current MOT status, or you want to know what your mileage was at the time of your last MOT, you can find out all of this as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to remember that cars under three years old aren\u2019t legally required to have an MOT. Whether you\u2019re the vehicle owner or a prospective buyer, if the car in question is less than three years old, there might not be any MOT records for you to access. In this case, you\u2019ll have to rely on the vehicle\u2019s service history for information relating to maintenance and repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does an MOT history check show?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it might sound like a one-trick pony, an MOT history check can actually give you a great deal of information about a given vehicle. It works by accessing the DVSA database for information relating to a specific registration plate – so if the vehicle in question has had its plates changed for any reason, you may need to do separate checks for each different registration number in order to find the information you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an MOT history check, you can find out: <\/p>\n\n\n