Free MOT Check: Full MOT History by Reg
Enter any UK reg to check a car's MOT history free: every test, advisory, mileage reading and failure back to 2005, interpreted in plain English with repair cost estimates.
How to check MOT history free: enter any UK registration in the box above and CarCostCheck shows the car’s full MOT history by reg – every test, advisory, mileage reading and failure back to 2005 – at no cost and with no signup. It is the same official DVSA MOT data you would find on GOV.UK, but interpreted in plain English with repair-cost estimates and automatic mileage-clocking checks. There is nothing to pay for the MOT check itself.
What our free MOT check includes
59,115,744
MOT tests analysed
82%
Average UK pass rate
Since 2005
Full history available
Why MOT history matters when buying a car
A single MOT test tells you whether a car passed or failed on one particular day. The full MOT history tells you a completely different story. It reveals patterns of maintenance, wear, and potential neglect that a test-day snapshot cannot show.
For example, a car might pass its latest MOT cleanly, but the history could show brake advisories appearing every year for four years, getting progressively worse. That pattern tells you the owner has been ignoring a deteriorating problem. Our analysis flags exactly this kind of issue automatically.
Mileage verification is another critical element. Every MOT records the odometer reading. By comparing readings across tests, we can detect sudden drops (clocking), suspicious gaps, or unusually low readings that suggest the car may have been tampered with.
Sample MOT advisory interpretation
Raw MOT text
Offside front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1g)
CarCostCheck interpretation
The front brake disc on the right side is showing wear. It passed for now, but will likely need replacing before the next MOT.
How it works
Enter the reg plate
Type any UK vehicle registration into the search bar. No account or signup needed.
We fetch MOT records
We pull the complete MOT history from DVSA and analyse every test, advisory, and failure.
Review your MOT analysis
View interpreted results with plain English explanations, repair cost estimates, and pattern detection.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a car's MOT for free?▼
Enter the vehicle's registration in the search box on this page. CarCostCheck instantly pulls the full official DVSA MOT history and shows every test, advisory and failure, plus mileage readings, with no payment and no signup. It is completely free to check any UK car's MOT history by reg.
Can I check MOT history by registration number?▼
Yes. Just type the number plate into the search box and you get the car's complete MOT history by reg in seconds: pass and fail results, advisories interpreted in plain English, and every recorded mileage reading. You do not need the V5C, MOT certificate number or any other detail, just the registration.
How far back does the MOT history go?▼
MOT history is available back to 2005 for most vehicles. The DVSA MOT History API contains every test since the system was digitised. We analyse every single test, advisory, and failure in the vehicle's record.
What is an MOT advisory?▼
An advisory is an issue noted by the tester that is not serious enough to cause a failure today, but could become a problem in the future. Common examples include worn brake discs, slight corrosion, or tyres approaching the legal limit. We interpret every advisory in plain English and estimate what it would cost to fix.
Can I check MOT history on the GOV.UK website?▼
Yes, GOV.UK shows raw MOT test data. However, it does not interpret advisories, estimate repair costs, detect mileage clocking, or provide a reliability score. CarCostCheck analyses the same data and gives you actionable insights rather than raw technical codes.
What does the MOT history tell me about a car's condition?▼
MOT history reveals patterns that a single test cannot. Recurring brake issues suggest neglect. A string of advisories that never get fixed indicates a cost-cutting owner. Mileage readings that drop between tests suggest clocking. We flag all of these automatically in every report.
Is the MOT history check free?▼
Yes, completely free. The MOT history analysis, including interpreted advisories, repair cost estimates, mileage verification, and reliability scoring, is all included at no cost. No signup or email required. Enter a reg plate and get results instantly.
How do you interpret MOT advisories?▼
We use pattern matching against thousands of known defect codes to translate technical MOT language into plain English. For example, instead of showing a code like '3.5.1g', we explain that the brake disc is worn and estimate it costs £150-250 to replace. We also rate each advisory by severity: minor, moderate, or serious.
Go Beyond the Free Check
The free check analyses condition. Premium confirms there are no hidden legal or financial issues.
£0
- ✓Full MOT history analysis
- ✓Mileage clocking detection
- ✓Reliability score (0-100)
- ✓Running costs (fuel, tax, repairs)
- ✓Insurance group estimate
- ✓Common faults + red flags
- ✓Recall + ULEZ check
- ✓CO2, VED, fuel calculator
- ✕Stolen / finance / write-off
- ✕Market valuation
16 checks from DVSA and DVLA data
£4.99
75% cheaper than HPI (£19.99)
- ✓Everything in Free
- ★Stolen check (PNC)
- ★Finance outstanding
- ★Write-off (Cat A/B/N/S)
- ★Previous owners
- ★VIN + colour + plate history
- ★Scrapped vehicle check
- ✕Market valuation
24 checks. Same Experian data as HPI.
£6.99
History + Valuation together
- ✓Everything in Premium
- ★Fair market value (local + national)
- ★Days to sell estimate
- ★Estimated vehicle lifespan
- ★Insurance group + cost
28 checks. The complete picture.
No signup. Instant results. Upgrade after you see the free report.
Check any car's MOT history free
Enter any UK reg plate for instant results. Every test, advisory, and failure analysed.