How to Check MOT History on CarGurus
Found something promising on CarGurus? Before you book a test drive or call the dealer, check the MOT history. It's free, takes two minutes, and tells you things the listing won't.
Why MOT history matters
CarGurus lists mostly dealer stock, and its pricing algorithm rates deals as Great, Good, Fair or High. That's useful for price, but it tells you nothing about the car's history.
The MOT record fills that gap:
- Mileage at every test. A drop in recorded mileage between tests is a clear sign of clocking.
- Recurring failures. If the same problem appears on multiple tests, it hasn't been fixed properly.
- Unresolved advisories. Issues the tester flagged that the owner never addressed.
- Gaps in testing. Unexplained periods where the car wasn't on the road.
Even dealer cars can have chequered histories. The MOT record is independent of the seller.
The slow way: GOV.UK MOT checker
- Find the listing on CarGurus
- Note down the registration plate
- Open a new tab and go to the GOV.UK MOT history checker
- Enter the registration and search
- Switch back to CarGurus to compare
Five steps per car. Manageable for one, slow when you're working through a shortlist.
The fast way: Don't Buy A Lemon
The free Don't Buy A Lemon Chrome extension shows the MOT history automatically as you browse CarGurus. No tab switching, no copying plate numbers.
It reads the registration from the listing photos and shows you:
- Full MOT history with pass and fail results
- All advisories and failure reasons
- Mileage at every test
- An automatic flag if the mileage looks suspicious
What to look out for in the MOT history
Red flags:
- Mileage that drops or flatlines between tests
- The same failure on two or more consecutive tests
- Long gaps in MOT records
- Advisories that reappear without being resolved
Green flags:
- Consistent annual passes
- Steady, believable mileage progression
- Advisories noted once and absent in the next test
Frequently asked questions
Is MOT history free to check? Yes. The GOV.UK checker is free. Don't Buy A Lemon is also free to install and use.
How far back does MOT history go? DVSA records go back to 2005 for most vehicles.
Does a good CarGurus deal rating mean the car is reliable? No. CarGurus rates price against market value. It has no visibility of the car's mechanical history or MOT record. A "Great Deal" can still have a poor history.
Does Don't Buy A Lemon work on CarGurus? Yes. It automatically detects the number plate from listing photos and shows the full MOT history inline, without leaving the page.