MOT Check:
Verify Vehicle Status, History and Mileage
Enter Your Registration to Check MOT Status Free
What Is an MOT Check?
An MOT check is a yearly inspection that confirms a vehicle meets UK road legal standards for safety and emissions.
It is required for most vehicles from their third year after registration and must be carried out by a DVSA-approved test centre.
CarVeto checks MOT status and history by accessing official DVLA test records.
These show whether a vehicle has been tested, what it passed or failed on, and whether it's legal to drive.
An MOT test covers key safety and compliance areas:
- Brakes — condition, hydraulic function, and stopping effectiveness
- Tyres and wheels — tread depth, sidewall damage, and pressure
- Lights — complete working order of indicators, headlamps, and brake lights
- Steering and suspension — stability, alignment, and component wear
- Exhaust and emissions — gas output, leaks, and filter condition
- Visibility systems — windscreen, mirrors, wipers, and washers
- Seatbelts — correct operation and secure fitting
Since 2018, the DVSA has classified MOT defects into three categories:
❌ Dangerous defects — pose an immediate safety risk; the vehicle fails and must not be driven.
❌ Major defects — affect safety or the environment; the vehicle fails and must be repaired.
⚠️ Minor defects — do not cause a fail but should be corrected as soon as possible.
These categories determine whether a vehicle passes or fails the test, replacing the older binary-only model.
Only vehicles with no Dangerous or Major defects will pass and receive an MOT certificate.
A valid MOT certificate confirms the vehicle passed these checks on the test day. It does not guarantee future reliability but is legally required to drive on UK roads.
What Is an MOT History Check?
An MOT history checker reveals a vehicle’s complete record of past MOT tests, including pass/fail results, advisory notes, and recorded mileage.
It allows car buyers and owners to assess how consistently a vehicle has been maintained and whether it shows signs of neglect or recurring issues.
Since 2018, MOT test records have reflected the DVSA’s three-category defect system.
Failures are marked where a Dangerous or Major defect was recorded, while Minor defects and advisories appear alongside passing results.
CarVeto retrieves this data directly from DVLA MOT records.
Each entry in the report includes:
✅ The outcome of each test — Pass or Fail
🗓 The date and official test number
⚠️ Any advisory notes issued (e.g. worn tyres, brake wear)
❌ The specific reasons for failure, where applicable
📊 The mileage recorded at the time of each MOT
This information can help detect red flags such as irregular mileage patterns, repeat advisories, or unaddressed mechanical issues.
What Is an MOT Status History Check?
An MOT status history check shows how a vehicle performed in each MOT test over time, whether it passed or failed, and when.
This helps assess the car’s maintenance history and overall reliability.
CarVeto compiles MOT status history using official DVLA records, providing:
📋 A clear pass/fail result for each annual test
🗓 The test date and outcome trend (e.g. consistent passes or repeat failures)
⚠️ Any failures due to safety-critical issues
✅ The current MOT status - whether the vehicle is legally roadworthy today
📅 The next MOT due date, based on DVLA data
Car buyers use the status history of past MOTs to gauge how well the vehicle meets manufacturer maintenance expectations and DVSA standards.
Consistent passes often indicate regular upkeep, while repeated failures may suggest mechanical neglect or safety concerns.
What Is a Tax and MOT Check?
A Tax and MOT check combines vehicle roadworthiness status with road tax (VED) information in a single report.
It shows whether the vehicle has a valid MOT certificate and whether it’s currently taxed for legal road use.
CarVeto provides this combined check using DVLA data, allowing you to:
✅ Confirm the vehicle’s current MOT status — valid or expired
🧾 See if the vehicle is currently taxed or declared SORN
📅 Check the MOT expiry date and tax renewal deadline
💷 Estimate tax costs based on fuel type, emissions, and registration date
🔍 Link to the DVLA website for monthly, six-month, or annual tax bands
Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax) is calculated using:
🚗 The first date of registration
⚡ The fuel type — petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric
🌫 The vehicle’s CO₂ emissions band
This check helps drivers ensure their car is legally drivable and understand the cost of maintenance and ownership.
Verify Car Tax Status with a free report.
Why Is It Important to Check MOT History?
An MOT history check reveals how well a vehicle has been maintained and whether it presents hidden risks and critical insights when buying a used car.
It allows buyers to validate mileage, anticipate repair needs, and confirm servicing continuity.
CarVeto compiles this data directly from DVLA test records, showing:
📊 Mileage at each MOT — confirms consistent odometer readings
⚠️ Advisory notes — flag worn parts likely to fail future tests
❌ Failure history — identifies recurring mechanical issues
📍 Test location tracking — view MOT station history using V5C (if available)
If the vehicle has had few owners and has been tested at the same location, this often suggests:
🔄 Servicing consistency
✅ Mileage legitimacy
🧩 Stronger maintenance habits
By checking the full MOT history, buyers can assess whether a car is a reliable investment or one likely to incur hidden costs.
What Are Common MOT Failures?
In 2023, nearly 10 million vehicles failed their MOT, most due to faults that could have been spotted and fixed in advance.
The DVSA reports that the most common MOT failures involve easily preventable problems.
Top failure categories include:
💡 Lighting and signal faults — broken bulbs or malfunctioning indicators (30%)
🛞 Tyre issues — insufficient tread depth or incorrect pressure (10%)
🔍 Visibility impairments — damaged wipers, washers, or mirrors (8.5%)
These faults are categorised during the MOT using DVSA’s defect system:
❌ Dangerous: Issues that pose an immediate risk, like severely worn tyres or exposed cords, lead to an instant fail, and the vehicle cannot be driven until repaired.
❌ Major: Most MOT failures fail here, including non-working headlamps, worn brake pads, or fluid leaks, and require urgent repair.
⚠️ Minor: Covers issues that do not fail but should still be fixed, such as slightly worn wipers or light lens misting.
A car can only pass the MOT without Dangerous or Major defects.
Most failures occur because these faults are left unaddressed ahead of testing.
CarVeto MOT history reports include advisory notes and signalling components at risk of failing the next test.
Addressing advisories early can significantly improve your chances of passing first time and avoiding costly retests.
MOT Failure Explained: Dangerous Defects Major Faults & Driving Rules
What Are Advisory Notes?
Advisory notes are warnings added to an MOT test when a component is worn or damaged but not yet serious enough to fail the vehicle.
They signal that repairs may soon be required, even though the vehicle passes the test.
Key points:
⚠️ Advisories do not cause failure but highlight components at risk
🔧 Examples include worn brake pads, low tyre tread, corroded exhaust, minor fluid leaks
⏳ Unaddressed advisories often become failures in the next MOT test
💷 Buyers use advisory data to estimate repair costs and negotiate car pricing
CarVeto MOT reports list all advisory notes, helping drivers identify maintenance risks early and avoid unexpected test failures.
When Is My Car MOT Due?
Your MOT due date is the final day your vehicle can legally be driven without a valid MOT certificate.
Driving past this date without a new MOT test is illegal and may invalidate your insurance.
You can check your vehicle’s MOT expiry date using:
📄 The latest MOT test certificate
🧾 A CarVeto MOT report — which shows live DVLA MOT data
🔍 The GOV.UK MOT checker, using your vehicle’s registration number
Most vehicles require an MOT test every 12 months once they reach three years from the date of first registration (four years in Northern Ireland).
Your due date remains fixed unless a new test is completed earlier than required, in which case, the renewal date will shift.
When to Book an MOT Test?
You can book your MOT test for up to one calendar month minus a day before the expiration date and keep the same renewal date.
This lets you test early without shortening your certificate's validity.
📅 Example: If your MOT expires on 15 October, testing from 16 September onward preserves your original renewal date.
If you book earlier than that window, your new MOT date starts from the day of the test, shifting your renewal cycle forward.
Why Book Early?
🛠 Your last MOT included advisory notes that might need repair
⏳ You want to avoid last-minute delays or garage scheduling issues
⚠️ You’re approaching expiry and want to remain legally covered
🚗 You’re selling your vehicle and want to increase buyer confidence
A fresh MOT with no advisories can improve your chances of a fast, high-trust sale, especially in private listings.
CarVeto’s MOT reminder system helps you plan tests on time, whether for personal use or resale.
How do you Check a Northern Ireland (NI) Car MOT?
CarVeto provides MOT history checks for vehicles registered in Northern Ireland, including cars, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles.
The data is sourced from DVLA records and includes available test outcomes for vehicles tested under Northern Ireland’s MOT scheme.
What’s included in a CarVeto NI MOT check:
📋 Pass or fail results for previous MOT tests
🧾 Vehicle registration and classification details
🔍 Mileage readings recorded at the time of the test
📅 Test dates and current MOT status, where data is available
Note: Northern Ireland MOTs are managed by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), not the DVSA.
For official test certificates or test centre details, visit the nidirect.gov.uk MOT service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. CarVeto combines car tax status, MOT history, and insurance presence into a single vehicle report. We include road tax expiry dates, the cost to tax a car (monthly, biannually, or annually), and MOT pass/fail data from DVLA records.
Insurance status is verified via a MID Check, allowing you to confirm a car is insured. This unified check helps ensure the vehicle is legally compliant and roadworthy.
Driving a car without a valid MOT certificate is illegal in the UK, except when travelling to a pre-booked MOT test or garage appointment. The vehicle must be roadworthy and have valid car insurance. Fines can reach up to £1,000, and driving without an MOT may invalidate your insurance policy.
An MOT test usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The duration may be extended if the vehicle requires repairs following a failure or the garage has a busy schedule.
A Class 3 MOT applies to three-wheeled vehicles with an unladen weight between 450 kg and 550 kg, including certain small vans and tricycles. The test evaluates brakes, lights, steering, suspension, and safety standards.
A Class 4 MOT is the standard test for most passenger vehicles, including cars, taxis, motorhomes, and small vans under 3,000 kg gross weight. It checks critical components such as emissions, brakes, lights, tyres, and vehicle structure.
A Class 5 MOT is required for private passenger vehicles with 13 or more seats, such as minibuses and larger ambulances. The test ensures these vehicles meet road safety standards appropriate for carrying multiple passengers.
A Class 7 MOT applies to commercial vehicles with a gross weight between 3,000 kg and 3,500 kg, such as LGV’s, larger vans and trucks. It includes checks on braking systems, suspension, emissions, and lighting to verify roadworthiness.
The maximum DVSA fee for an MOT test is £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for motorcycles. MOT prices vary by garage but cannot exceed this cap. Some centres offer discounts or combine MOTs with servicing deals. Check your breakdown cover for incentives when booking an MOT.
A vehicle becomes MOT-exempt if it is over 40 years old and has not undergone substantial modifications in the last 30 years. Owners must declare exemption status when taxing the vehicle. This exemption primarily applies to classic or historic vehicles.
Read our DVLA Historic Vehicle MOT guide.
If the mileage on your MOT certificate is incorrect due to a recording error at the test, contact the test centre within 28 days to request a correction. If more than 28 days have passed, you must submit evidence to the DVSA to amend the record.
Conduct a CarVeto MOT Mileage Correction.
A Tax & MOT Check Reminder Service alerts when your vehicle’s MOT or road tax is due. CarVeto offers a free reminder service via email or text to help you stay compliant and avoid penalties for expired documents.
Learn more about our Gov Car Tax & MOT Reminders Service.
Explore the CarVeto MOT Learning Centre
Get deeper insights into MOT tests, advisory notes, failure categories, and legal requirements. These guides support the core of your MOT check, helping you understand what affects your vehicle’s status, roadworthiness, and long-term maintenance.
