Know the car's MOT & Tax status for FREE.
What is an MOT History Check?
Our MOT History Checks contain a wealth of information, despite their appearance. This is because we source data directly from the DVLA for every car registered in the UK that has had an MOT test when we check the MOT history of a vehicle.
A vehicle with a history of MOT test failures and many advisories may be at a higher risk of mechanical issues in the future, which would require more money to fix. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but it is something to keep in mind. It is worth being prepared.
What is included in an MOT History check?
When buying a used vehicle, the MOT test may change your decision because a car without an MOT history may have faults that the seller wants to hide. So, before buying, check the MOT history of the vehicle, that includes:
- MOT test passed or failed
- Mileage Record
- Parts failures during the test
- Parts Identified Minor Problem
- Next due date for MOT
- TAX / SORN status
- Vehicle's Age
- MOT Advisory and failure notices
How to Check the MOT Status of the Car?
You will need your car's registration number to check the MOT status – Visit our MOT check page and enter your car's registration number. You will get the complete MOT history with the next MOT due date from the DVLA database. The report will display advisories, failures, and warnings.
Why is it Essential to Check MOT Status?
When you are buying a used car, it is vital to know the engine's condition and other components of the vehicle. Unfortunately, most sellers hide their cars' major and minor faults to get high returns from buyers, but the MOT test reveals all the truth.
Since it is a legal requirement in the UK to conduct an MOT test if your car is three or more years old, many would have performed it. When you check the MOT status with us, you get all the details of parts failure, advisory notes, minor and major faults in the car's components, and many other factors that will help you buy the right car.
What do they check during an MOT?
The same environmental, legal, and safety factors are considered in every MOT. A few of these are:
- Exterior Exhausts & Fuel Electrics
- Lighting & Visibility Inside
- Safety
- Suspension and steering
- Restraining systems and seat belts
- Brakes
- wheels and tyres
What Happens If Your Car Does not Have a Valid MOT?
Driving without a valid MOT test unless driving to an MOT test centre or garage is illegal. However, even then, your car must be free of any significant fault that risks the safety of others on the road. Such defects are listed on your MOT certificate; make sure to check those out.
There are 11000 ANPR cameras across the UK; these cameras can identify and mark your car if you are missing a valid MOT – You may get a £1000 fine, three points from your licence or may get disqualified from driving for at least six months.
If the vehicle was manufactured or first registered more than 40 years ago and no significant alterations have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, it is no longer required to undergo an MOT test.
So, make sure you know your MOT expiry date and update it from time to time.
Can I Get Tax and Insurance Status in the Report?
Yes and no.
You will get tax status from the MOT check, but our report has no insurance status. From the tax status, you will know whether the car is registered as SORN. As it is illegal to drive a SORN vehicle, we have provided a tax status in our report. If the tax status is green, it tells you that the owner is paying Tax and the car is not registered as SORN.
How Do You UNSORN a Car?
If you want to drive the car again or plan to sell it, you can remove the SORN. All you need to do is tax your vehicle online or over the phone. Also, you can pay the Tax through Post Office Branches. You will need the 11-digit number from your V5C logbook to remove the SORN.
When you pay the car's Tax, it removes the SORN automatically.
Plus, while removing the SORN, you must ensure that your vehicle has valid insurance and MOT before you start driving it again. Read more about SORN and UNSORN.
Answering Your Questions
You can book for the MOT test online through our partnersite Book MOT.
Usually, an MOT test will take up to 60 minutes on average. But sometimes, the process may take longer if the vehicle fails the test that is conducted or requires repairs.
After three years, a new car requires its first MOT test. After that, a new vehicle is exempt from MOT testing under existing law until it reaches the age of three.
Enter the car registration number on our MOT checker. You'll find the vehicle's whole MOT history and the Tax due date by the DVLA.
A complete list of class 3, 4, 5 & 7 vehicle requirements can be found in the DVLA MOT Inspection Manual.
You can pay Tax online by visiting the GOV.UK vehicle tax service. You'll need the former owner's reminder letter (V11), V5C registration paperwork (V5C), or a new keeper slip. You will not be able to pay your road tax online unless you have at least one of these documents.
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) regulates the maximum price test centres charge for an MOT. The current rates are £54.85 for vehicles and motor vans and £29.65 for motorcycles. However, many garages charge less than this and sometimes by as much as 50%.
A vehicle does not need an MOT until it reaches the age shown in the MOT fees table.
If you don't have a V5C or new keeper slip, and you're the current keeper, you must go to a Post Office to get a replacement V5C and tax your vehicle.
You must apply for a new V5C via mail if you are the new keeper. The form is also available at the Post Office.
A new V5C will cost £25 and should be paid at the Post Office.
Yes, you can view the MOT test location as soon as the MOT centre records it. But you need the 11-digit number from the vehicle's log book (V5C).
