MOT history is one of the most valuable tools for used car buyers, yet many people do not know how to use it properly. This guide will teach you how to extract maximum insight from MOT records.
Did you know?
While MOT history is publicly available, manually checking years of records to spot mileage rollbacks is slow and error prone. Carpeep includes all MOT history data in your report and automatically flags any mileage discrepancies. You get everything checked instantly without separate searches.
What Is an MOT?
The Ministry of Transport test is an annual safety and emissions inspection required for most UK vehicles over three years old. The complete history of these tests is publicly available online and it is incredibly revealing.
What MOT History Shows (and What It Does Not)
MOT history only reveals safety and emissions test data. It cannot show insurance write offs, stolen status, outstanding finance or accident history. However, it is still valuable for spotting mileage fraud and poor maintenance.
30%
Used cars with clocked mileage
Included
MOT history in every Carpeep report
Instant
Mileage discrepancy alerts
Mileage Verification
This is one of the most important uses of MOT history. Every test records the current mileage, creating a timeline you can check.
What to look for
- Consistent mileage increases between tests.
- Annual mileage in a realistic range for the type of car.
- No sudden drops or frozen mileage between years.
- Reasonable jumps for the time period.
Example red flag
If MOT records show eighty thousand miles in one year and sixty thousand the next, the odometer has likely been rolled back. That is illegal mileage clocking.
Maintenance Patterns
The advisory notices tell you what was wearing but not yet dangerous at the time of each test. Over several years, that pattern shows how the car was maintained.
Poor maintenance
- Repeated advisories that are never fixed.
- Issues that escalate from advisory to fail.
- Multiple failures each year.
- Gaps in testing history.
Good maintenance
- Clean MOTs with minimal advisories.
- Advisories that are addressed by the next test.
- Consistent annual testing.
- No recurring serious problems.
Usage History
Mileage patterns reveal how the car was used.
- High annual mileage: Often motorway miles, which can be easier on engines but harder on suspension.
- Very low annual mileage: Mostly short trips, which can be harder on engines and exhaust systems.
- Inconsistent mileage: Changes in ownership or usage patterns you may want to question.
Reading Between the Lines
What different patterns mean
Gap years: If there is a missing MOT year, the car might have been:
- Off the road with a SORN declaration.
- Sitting unsold at a dealer.
- Exported and later imported again.
- Under long term repair.
Multiple test centres: This can indicate:
- The car moved location, which is normal.
- Someone shopping around for a pass after failing, which can be suspicious.
- Different owners in different areas.
Common MOT Failures and What They Mean
Serious concerns
- Structural rust or corrosion: Major issue and expensive to fix.
- Suspension geometry problems: Could indicate previous damage or heavy wear.
- Excessive smoke: Engine wear that can be costly.
Less worrying
- Light bulbs: Cheap and easy to fix.
- Wiper blades: Normal wear item.
- Minor tyre wear: Regular maintenance.
Using MOT History When Buying
"Checking MOT history before travelling saved me from a fifteen thousand pound mistake. The mileage had been clocked by forty thousand miles."
Check the MOT history before you even view the car. If there are clear red flags, you can save yourself the journey.
When you do view, bring a printout or screenshots and ask the seller about any failures, advisories or gaps in testing history.
Negotiation tip
Use MOT history as leverage. Current advisories that need attention, an upcoming MOT expiry or patterns of expensive repairs can all justify a lower price.
MOT checklist
- Mileage increases consistently with no unexplained drops.
- No big gaps in annual testing history.
- Advisories are fixed by the next test.
- No signs of structural issues or recurring major problems.
- Current MOT has a reasonable amount of time left.
- Recent tests show the car is being maintained properly.
Get Everything in One Carpeep Report
MOT history is publicly available if you want to check it manually. However, you also need to check finance, write offs and theft status.
Carpeep includes it all
Every Carpeep report includes full MOT history alongside finance checks, write off records and theft status. We automatically highlight mileage discrepancies so rollbacks are impossible to miss. One report. Everything you need. Instant results.
For the price of a simple meal, you get comprehensive protection covering every major risk. No jumping between websites and no manual detective work. Just instant peace of mind.
