How to Check MOT History on AutoTrader
Buying a used car on AutoTrader? Before you call the seller or book a viewing, checking the MOT history should be the first thing you do. It takes 2 minutes and can save you thousands.
Why MOT history matters
The MOT test records every failure, advisory, and mileage reading — going back years. A car can look perfect in photos while hiding:
- Repeated failed MOTs — structural, brake, or emissions problems the seller keeps patching
- Ignored advisories — worn brake pads, corroded pipes, suspension issues noted but never fixed
- Mileage discrepancies — a common sign of clocking (winding back the odometer)
The seller isn't going to tell you any of this. The MOT history will.
The slow way: GOV.UK MOT checker
- Find the car listing on AutoTrader
- Note down the registration plate
- Open a new tab and go to the GOV.UK MOT history checker
- Click 'Start', enter the registration, hit search
- Switch back to AutoTrader to compare
That's 5 steps, every single car. If you're comparing 10 cars in an afternoon, that's exhausting.
The fast way: Don't Buy A Lemon
Our free Chrome extension shows the MOT history automatically as you browse AutoTrader — no tab switching, no typing registrations.
It reads the plate from the listing photos and shows you:
- Full MOT history with pass/fail status
- All advisories and failure reasons
- Mileage graph over the car's lifetime
- Automatic flag if mileage looks suspicious
What to look out for in the MOT history
Red flags:
- More than 2–3 failures in a row on the same issue
- Advisories that appear year after year (never fixed)
- Mileage that goes backwards or stays flat for years
Green flags:
- Consistent annual passes with no failures
- Advisories noted and then absent in the next test (fixed)
- Steady, believable mileage increases each year
Frequently asked questions
Is MOT history free to check? Yes. The GOV.UK checker is free. Our Chrome extension is also free to use.
How far back does MOT history go? DVSA records go back to 2005 for most vehicles.
What if a car has no MOT history? It could be imported, or it's under 3 years old and never needed one. Always ask the seller.