Whether you are buying a used car, selling one or looking after a family car, an MOT result is something you want to hear about the day it appears. The car watchlist emails you when a new test is added to the record and again before the MOT runs out.
Car Watchlist: Get an Email When a New MOT Result Is Recorded
Add a car to your watchlist and get an email when a new MOT result is recorded.
01
What you get
- New result alert. When a new MOT test appears in the official record, we email the date, pass or fail, mileage and expiry date.
- Expiry reminders. We send an email about a month before the MOT runs out and again in the final week.
- One-click unsubscribe. Every email has an unsubscribe link, and we use your address only for these alerts.
02
Who it is useful for
- Buyers. Watch the car you are interested in. If the seller has it tested while you decide, you will see the result.
- Families. Keep track of every car in the household without remembering dates.
- Small businesses. Watch each vehicle so a lapsed MOT never takes one off the road.
03
How it works
We check the official DVSA record for the cars on the watchlist each day. If the latest test date has changed since you signed up, we send you the new result. Because the official record is updated after each test, there can be a short delay between the test and the alert.
04
Why it matters
Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and your insurance may be affected. You can have the MOT done up to a month (minus a day) before it expires and keep the same renewal date, so an early reminder gives you time to book. Read more in our guide to how early you can get an MOT, and use our free MOT check any time.
If you only want a reminder before expiry, use the MOT reminder. For a used car, also try the seller claim checker and compare two cars.
05
Real situations where a watchlist helps
You are waiting on a seller. A seller says the car is “booked in for an MOT on Friday”. Add it to your watchlist and you will see the result when it is recorded, instead of taking their word for it. If it fails, you also see what failed, which is useful when you negotiate on price.
You look after an older relative’s car. Many drivers forget the expiry date because the old certificate sits in a drawer. A watchlist entry sends the reminder to you, so a lapse does not catch anyone out.
You run a few vans or work cars. One missed date can take a vehicle off the road for days. Watch each registration and you get both the pass or fail result and the new expiry date by email.
You sold a car and want to see what happens next. Some sellers like to follow the car after sale. Because MOT history belongs to the vehicle and not the owner, this is allowed, but only the test details are shown, never owner details.
06
What is in each email
- The registration number and the make and model recorded for it.
- The date of the new test and whether it passed or failed.
- The odometer reading recorded at the test, so you can see whether the mileage looks sensible next to earlier tests. Our mileage check explains how to read those readings.
- Any failure or advisory items listed, and the new expiry date if the car passed.
07
What the watchlist cannot do
- It cannot book an MOT for you or contact a garage.
- It cannot tell you about a test that has not yet been recorded in the official database.
- It does not cover vehicles that do not need an MOT, such as brand new cars in their first three years or some historic vehicles. See which vehicles are exempt.
Alerts are sent from official DVSA data. We are an independent service and not part of the DVSA or the DVLA.
08
Your data
We keep your email address and the registration you chose, and nothing else. We use them only to send these alerts, and you can unsubscribe in one click from any email. Details are in our privacy policy and the data and privacy FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Is the car watchlist free?
Yes. It is free to add a car and we only email you about that car.
When will I be emailed about a new MOT?
Soon after the new test appears in the official record. There can be a short delay between the test and the record being updated.
Can I watch a car I do not own?
Yes. MOT history is public, so you can watch any car, for example one you are thinking of buying.
How do I stop the emails?
Click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email and we will stop immediately.
What if the car has no MOT yet?
We need an MOT expiry date to start the watchlist, so try again after the first MOT is recorded.
Need it all in one document?
The Full Vehicle Report gives you the complete MOT timeline, mileage analysis and summary as a PDF you can keep.