Buying a used car – MOT history check when buying a used car

March 22, 2022 by Zoe Hicks – 11 mins read

A Ministry of Transport (MOT) check is an evaluation that all motors that are three years old and over ought to have on an annual basis. An MOT will check car safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions and will contain a pretty thorough examination of all factors of the vehicle.

An MOT check is carried out to affirm that your automobile is secure to drive and fulfils UK regulations. The vehicle’s MOT records can inform you a lot about what you are buying when you are buying a used car. Most people frequently forget or sometimes, aren’t even conscious of the significance of an MOT records check.

It’s fundamental to comprehend that the car you are purchasing for is, indeed, secure to drive on the avenue and has a legitimate MOT. MOT assessments are a key indicator for this. So before buying a used car make certain you have used an MOT check to verify not only the current MOT status and due date but additionally the MOT history of a vehicle. We check MOT tests that comprise MOT expiration date, a whole listing of advice, and the reason for a failure, a full MOT history, which consists of mileage issues and the number of miles pushed between MOTs. Read on to know more about MOT history checks.

 An MOT History Check – Why is an MOT history check important before buying a used car?

Why is an MOT history check important before buying a used car? In the UK, vehicles that are over three years old need to get checked in for an every year MOT check according to the law. A car that’s failed its MOT isn’t allowed on UK roads. Some of the automobile components that get checked at some point of an MOT consist of lights, the battery, tires, brakes, steering, and suspension. Furthermore, it additionally consists of the cars inside workings and engine. Therefore, the foremost motive of an MOT check is to make sure the automobile is ‘roadworthy’, in other words, secure to drive.

For buying a used car, the dangers can regularly be greater and with this in mind, it’s crucial to make certain your automobile is healthy for driving than agreeing upon the sale. Taking an automobile check is all good, however, a few faults might also not be right now obvious and it can regularly be tough to check whether or not or no longer an automobile is the value for cash surely through driving it- so before buying a used car the great way to make certain you get the vehicle of your dreams is an MOT check.

An MOT check is thus a must before buying a used car. A car will probably have a lot of mileage and usual wear and tear are inevitable, however, its service records are what counts as this will provide you a clear insight of what sort of condition your car is in and whether or not it’s well worth buying. Make sure you take all the imperative precautions earlier than buying a used car.

Can dealers be upfront about a car’s history?

You may suppose verifying a car’s records would be clear and straightforward. But the fact is now not all marketers will be upfront with buyers about a car’s past. Sometimes, there are gaps in a car’s previous history when it comes to annual MOTs. In a few cases, an MOT certificate’s receipt can even be forged. Therefore, now not solely is it essential to acquire a car’s full history, but it’s additionally crucial to cross-check those records to make sure it’s accurate before buying a used car. Furthermore, MOT records can supply you with a quite true indication of how nicely was once the automobile was kept.

Where can you do an MOT check?

It is very easy to forge an MOT certificate therefore the DVSA database has an electronic version determined which is more accurate. Similarly, you have to be conscious of clean MOTs as they can be ‘dodgy’. You can view any MOT check result for a car on the government site (gov. UK) even if you don’t own the automobile yet.

You can depend on our Motorscan MOT history check and we can provide you with reliable data. Take an MOT check before buying a used car and be certain about the car’s past. While digging details about a car’s past like its MOT records can inform you a lot about the second-hand car, you can certainly take this a step before buying a used car. Breakdown of any car’s previous history and what’s more, it can additionally inform you about its future.

 How can MOT check help from getting into scams?

Some motors have a hidden past. There may want to be mechanical issues that aren’t apparent on a check drive. Maybe the used car you are purchasing has been in a horrific smash. Perhaps the dealer nonetheless owes the finance company, or perhaps the car has been stolen. There’s a lot more to know about a used car and that’s why an MOT records test is so important before buying a used car.

How to do an MOT check?

It’s effortless to make an MOT records check. You simply want the car’s registration number. Then go to the MOT history check of the gov.UK website. Type in the reg number and you will discover if the automobile has a legitimate MOT, which proves the vehicle was once protected and roadworthy on the date of the test.

You will additionally have the car’s check results going back as 2005 if it’s old enough. It isn’t simply whether or not a vehicle passed or not. Before buying a used car you will be able to see whether or not it failed the first time and wanted repairs to make the grade through an MOT check. You will additionally know if there have been any ‘advisories’.

These are troubles with the vehicle that isn’t seriously adequate for a fail, however, which will want interest at some point. These ought to encompass minor oil leaks or corrosion to the bodywork. After you have had an examination of the MOT history, click on the heading ‘Outstanding car recalls’. This will exhibit if the automobile wants immediate safety work carried out due to the fact of a recall by the manufacturer. Likewise, you can count on us for a trustworthy MOT check result.

What info will a History check include?

Check the MOT records of a vehicle. Check the previous results of a vehicle’s MOT tests, including:

  • if it passed or failed
  • the mileage recorded when it used to be tested
  • where every check used to be done
  • what components failed at every test, and if any components had minor problems
  • when its subsequent MOT is due

What do you need for an MOT test?

  • You want the vehicle’s registration number
  • You can see the results as quickly as the MOT centre has recorded the check result.
  • You will want the 11-digit number from the vehicle’s log e-book (V5C) to see the test location.

The service varies from different companies, however, a records check will generally reply to these questions:

  • Is it a stolen car?
  • Is the vehicle a write-off (has it been damaged beyond repair)?
  • Does the car have any outstanding finance, which should lead to the automobile being repossessed?
  • Has the registration number been modified?

Probably, the MOT records will additionally be checked before buying a used car, even though this is easy to do for free. Check if the MOT records ensure its data accurately, so you can declare for any cash you lose if the test fails to discover something important.

Checking MOT check certificates

An MOT is something that automobiles want to bear yearly as a legal requirement and with this in mind, acquiring proof of these examinations is essential. A vehicle owner will be awarded certificates after every MOT mentioning whether or not they have passed or failed and most importantly, it will additionally incorporate notes concerning any advisories. To provide you a higher concept of your attainable new car’s history, you ought to ask to see previous MOT certificates, and similar to this, you will desire to check whether or not or now not the car’s presently acquired a legitimate MOT.

Whilst it’s preferable for a dealer to be capable of providing proof of a car’s MOT history, this data can additionally be effortlessly determined online. You can test the MOT records of a car easily and this will give your records such as whether or not it’s passed or failed, the mileage, the area of the check centre, details of failures and any minor troubles, and when the subsequent MOT is due. Identifying any issues the car has had in the past will probably help you check if these have been rectified. For example, if the tires have been listed as being low on tread, you can have a look at them to see if this problem has been dealt with the aid of the seller before buying a used car.

A car’s MOT records will point out which state the automobile is in or has been in which in turn, will assist you to determine whether or not the buy is worth the money. Buying a used car ought to end up costing you a fortune similarly down the line, now not to point out the reality that it should be probably risky. Do keep this in mind and always go for an MOT check before buying a used car which gives you confidence that you are getting the car you want.

What occurs if your car doesn’t have a legitimate MOT?

There are several situations and troubles that you may additionally face if your car doesn’t have a legitimate MOT, some of which include:

  • If you get caught using a car except for MOT, you will be fined, the amount generally relies upon what type of car you are driving.
  • You can’t tax a car except for a legitimate MOT.
  • Your insurance plan may additionally be invalid
  • It may also now not be safe to drive the vehicle if it doesn’t have a legitimate MOT
  • If you are selling your car, you may additionally struggle if it doesn’t have MOT

 

Where is an MOT check performed?

If your automobile requires an MOT then you have to book your MOT at one of many mot centres.

Checks before buying a used car

An online MOT and records test will include a lot; however, it’s very essential to take a look at the documents that come with a car. Before buying a used car make certain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the V5C logbook fits with the VIN on the car at the base of the dashboard and the driver’s side door. If the numbers don’t match, there’s something fishy.

When shopping from a private seller, make certain the title and address on the V5C record fit the identity and address of the individual you are purchasing from. If not, the vehicle may want to be stolen, or you should be speaking to a dealer pretending to be a private seller to dodge their legal obligations. Take a test drive and check the car carefully before buying a used car. If you do this check personally along with an MOT records check, you can purchase with confidence.

Why complete Motorscan MOT check?

As the MOT check is a legal requirement and a test to make certain your automobiles are safe, you must make certain your car has a legitimate MOT. Our MOT check will exhibit you indispensable MOT data such as:

  • When your car was once final MOT tested
  • When your motors MOT runs out (the mot due date or if the mot has expired)
  • How many days you have left earlier than your automobiles MOT expires
  • How many previous MOT records have your car has
  • Previous MOT failures and why the car failed the MOT

Conclusion

If you are deciding on buying a used car, it’s really useful to test the service and MOT records of the vehicle. Knowing if there are any existing MOT Advisory notes for the vehicle will assist you to make a knowledgeable buy decision, and possibly will open up negotiations to purchase at a higher charge if advisories do exist.

If you are buying a used car, and in particular if the vehicle has had more than one preceding owner, you can also run a check by yourself. It will help you to be vigilant as clocked vehicles are a massive business for fraudsters, and even if the automobile service documentation supplied fits the odometer reading, it is still beneficial to test MOT records for peace of mind and so you can be certain the documentation is genuine. Perform the MOT check without delay and be confident as a buyer.

 

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