View your MOT results for free along with complimentary running costs and mileage timeline
The MOT is a test that is performed yearly once your vehicle has reached three years old. This test ensures that your vehicle is kept in a roadworthy condition and makes sure that the vehicle can comply with road safety laws.
If you own and use a vehicle on the road it is your responsibility to ensure that the MOT on your car is valid and up to date. Your insurance could be invalidated if you don’t have a valid MOT certificate. Not having a valid MOT certificate is illegal under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and you could face a £1,000 fine and receive 6 to 8 points on your licence by driving without a valid MOT.
Every car needs to meet the required minimum legal requirements at the time of the MOT test. The MOT test will check important items on your car to ensure everything complies. It is imperative that you understand what the MOT certificate means.
The certificate does not guarantee the overall mechanical condition of a vehicle. An MOT certificate confirms that at the time of the test your vehicle met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law without the need for dismantling your vehicle. The certificate is not a substitute for regular maintenance. The test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.
You can find out more in our in-depth MOT guide.
If your vehicle is less than 3 years old, it is usually due 3 years from the date the vehicle was registered. For example, if your car was registered on the 26 November 2019 then your first MOT would be due on the 25th of November 2022. If you are unsure when your MOT is due, simply enter your vehicle reg on our free mot checker for free. We will tell you when your MOT or first MOT is due and your recent MOT history.
There are two ways you can check the MOT history of your vehicle, you can enter your vehicle registration number on our MOT status checker. Our free MOT history tool will display the recent tests conducted on your vehicle, the pass/fail percentage and a timeline of your car’s mileage. Through our tool you can also find out the specifications, running costs and road tax status.
The second option is to use the official GOV.UK MOT history viewer. It’s worth noting we receive our data directly from the DVLA and there is absolutely no difference. We provide extra details so you know the true history behind your vehicle for free!
The MOT check will tell you how many tests were conducted, how many times it passed and failed. You can also view any advisories or reasons why a vehicle may have failed. This is important as you can find out if the vehicle was serviced regularly or neglected.
We also display a Pass and Fail rate so you can see clearly how well a vehicle performed during its tests. As the mileage is recorded on every test you can find out how many miles a car has performed using our mileage timeline, we’ll also let you know if the vehicle’s mileage is below or above average.
You can find the test location by visiting the official GOV.UK MOT history viewer. Enter the vehicle registration number, once you’re entered the VRN you will be redirected to the results. Each MOT history will have a button that states “View test location”. In order to view the test location, you will need the vehicle’s V5C number. Click on the “View test location” and enter the V5C number.
A free check on motorscan will tell you the specification of the vehicle, running costs, the status of its road tax and MOT. We can also tell you where it was registered and the MOT history. If you’re purchasing a used car, make sure you perform a premium check which will check against various databases to let you know if a car is on finance, has been in an accident, stolen or has had its mileage clocked.
Over 1.5 million vehicles fail their MOT’s first time around, you can avoid this by following a few tips. The few minutes it takes preparing your car for an MOT will protect you against failing for something minor such as a dead bulb. You’ll also avoid the hassle and possibly extra cost of bringing the car back for an MOT re-test.
All you have to do is follow our simple pre mot check guide to avoid getting a fail on your test day. Quick tip! Get your vehicle serviced before an MOT, they’ll spot any faults before you do your test. Also, keep in mind, a well-serviced engine is more likely to pass your emission test.