How to Check MOT History on Motors.co.uk
Browsing cars on Motors.co.uk? Before you contact a dealer or private seller, checking the MOT history is one of the quickest ways to spot problems the listing doesn't mention.
It takes a couple of minutes and it's free.
Why MOT history matters
Motors.co.uk lists cars from both dealers and private sellers. Dealers are regulated, but that doesn't mean every car has a clean history. Private sellers have even less accountability.
The MOT record gives you an independent view of the car's condition over time:
- Mileage at every test. A mileage drop between tests is a strong indicator of clocking.
- Repeated failures. The same issue failing year after year means it hasn't been properly resolved.
- Outstanding advisories. Problems flagged by a tester that were never fixed.
- Gaps in testing. Long periods off the road that the listing doesn't explain.
The seller wrote the listing. Independent MOT testers wrote the history. One of those is more reliable.
The slow way: GOV.UK MOT checker
- Find the listing on Motors.co.uk
- 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 Motors.co.uk to compare
Five steps every time. Fine for one car, tedious when you're comparing 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 Motors.co.uk. No tab switching, no typing out registrations.
It reads the plate 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 consecutive tests
- Long gaps with no MOT on record
- Advisories appearing year after year without being resolved
Green flags:
- Consistent annual passes with no failures
- Steady mileage increases that match the car's age
- Advisories noted once and gone 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.
What if a Motors.co.uk listing doesn't show the registration? Most dealer listings on Motors.co.uk include the reg. If it's missing, contact the dealer and ask before visiting. Reputable sellers have no reason to withhold it.
Does Don't Buy A Lemon work on Motors.co.uk? Yes. It automatically detects the number plate from listing photos and shows the full MOT history inline, without leaving the page.