Every result on MOT Check Now comes from two official government data services, plus some analysis we add on top. This page explains what those sources are, what each field means, how fresh the data is likely to be, what we cannot show you, and how our mileage and history indicators are worked out. If you want to understand how far to trust a result, this is the page to read.
The two official sources
We do not keep a private database of vehicles. When you enter a registration number, we ask two official services for the record and show you what comes back.
- The DVSA MOT history service. This holds the test record for vehicles tested in England, Scotland and Wales since 2005. It tells us the result of each test, the expiry date, the odometer reading and the defects the tester recorded.
- The DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service. This holds the vehicle register details, such as make, colour, fuel type, engine size, tax status and MOT status as DVLA records it.
We are independent and are not affiliated with DVSA, DVLA or GOV.UK. If you would rather see the official MOT history page, it is at GOV.UK.
What the DVSA MOT history fields mean
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Make, model, colours, fuel type, engine size | Basic description of the vehicle as held in the MOT record |
| First used date, registration date, manufacture date | Dates used to work out when the first MOT was due and how old the vehicle is. Some may be blank on older or imported vehicles |
| Last MOT test date | When the most recent recorded test was completed |
| Completed date and test result | When each test was done and whether it passed or failed |
| Expiry date | When the certificate from a passed test runs out |
| Odometer value and unit | The reading recorded at the test, in miles or kilometres |
| Odometer result type | Whether a reading was taken, or the vehicle has no odometer |
| MOT test number | The reference for that particular test |
| Defects | Each recorded item with a type of dangerous, major, minor, advisory or PRS, and the tester’s text |
The meaning of the defect types is covered in MOT defect categories, and our guide to reading an MOT history shows how to use all of this together.
What the DVLA fields mean
- Make, colour, fuel type, engine capacity. The vehicle description on the register.
- Year of manufacture and month of first registration. Used to place the vehicle in time.
- CO2 emissions, Euro status and real driving emissions. Emissions information where DVLA holds it. We use Euro status and fuel type to estimate ULEZ and Clean Air Zone position, which is an estimate and not an official zone decision. Use the ULEZ checker to see how that is presented.
- Tax status and tax due date. Whether the vehicle is taxed, untaxed, SORN or not taxed for road use. See the car tax check and SORN check.
- MOT status and MOT expiry date. DVLA reports a status such as valid, not valid, no details held, or no results returned.
- Marked for export, wheelplan, type approval, revenue weight and date of last V5C issued. Registration details that sometimes explain why a vehicle looks unusual.
How current the data is
The data is only as current as the official service behind it. A test completed this morning may not show in the record until it has been processed, so a very recent pass or fail can be missing from a check. Where our tools hold a recent copy of a response to avoid asking the official service repeatedly for the same vehicle, a result can also be a short time behind. We do not publish a refresh interval because we cannot promise one that is true in every case.
The practical rule is simple. If the result does not match what you were told at the garage, wait a little and check again, and use the test number on your paperwork to confirm the position with the testing station. A result always reflects the record at the moment of the check.
Coverage and limits
- Great Britain since 2005. MOT history covers England, Scotland and Wales from 2005 onwards. Earlier tests are not in the service.
- Northern Ireland is separate. Tests there are run by DVA under a different system. Our guide to MOT in Northern Ireland explains the difference.
- Exempt vehicles. Vehicles that do not need an MOT may have no test history. See MOT exempt vehicles.
- New vehicles. A vehicle that has not reached its first MOT will show details without a test record. See first MOT.
- Blank fields. Imported, older and specialist vehicles may be missing dates or emissions data.
What we do not show
- Owner or keeper details. These are not in the sources and we never display them.
- Finance records. Whether a vehicle has outstanding finance is not in these sources.
- Stolen vehicle status. Not in these sources.
- Insurance write-off or accident history. Not in these sources.
Our Full Vehicle Report does not include these either, and we say so on that page. If you are buying a used car, use a provider that states it covers finance, stolen and write-off records, and read our used car checklist.
How the mileage and history indicators are calculated
These indicators are our own analysis. They are not official findings.
For the mileage check, we take the odometer readings recorded at each MOT test and put them in date order. We then compare each reading with the one before. A reading that is lower than an earlier one is flagged as a fall. A reading that jumps by a very large amount between two tests is flagged as a large jump. We do not publish fixed trigger values, because a sensible limit differs between a taxi, a commuter car and a vehicle that sat unused. The point of a flag is to tell you which test to look at more closely.
For the history indicators, we look at the defects recorded across tests and count how often the same advisory item appears again. An item that keeps coming back is a sign that it may not have been put right, or that it is wearing in a way worth asking about. The mileage check and MOT history pages show how these appear.
There are many innocent causes of a flag, including a misread digit, a unit change between miles and kilometres, a replaced instrument cluster or a long period off the road. A flag is a reason to ask questions and to look at the paperwork. It is not proof that a vehicle has been clocked, and an absence of flags is not proof that it has not.
Accuracy limits
We aim to display the official data faithfully, but we cannot guarantee it is complete or error-free. Testers can mistype a reading, records can be updated later, and we may make mistakes in presenting or interpreting data. Do not rely on a single check for a large purchase or a legal decision. Our disclaimer sets out the formal position, and our editorial policy explains how we handle corrections. To report a problem with a result, use the contact page.
Licence and attribution
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.