Quick Answer
Online MOT history in the UK goes back to 2005, when records were digitised. You can see every test — pass, fail, mileage, advisories and failure reasons — from then onwards. Tests before 2005 exist only on old paper certificates and aren't in the online database.
The 2005 cut-off
The DVSA's digital MOT database began in 2005. That's why every online MOT history — including the free government service and paid vehicle checks — starts from around that year. Any test carried out before then was recorded on paper and isn't available online.
For most used cars on the market today this is more than enough: you can trace the full test history across the car's life, often more than a decade of records.
What the history shows for each test
- Test date and result (pass or fail)
- Recorded mileage at each test
- Advisory notes on wear or developing faults
- Reasons for any failure
- MOT expiry date
View full MOT history
Check the complete MOT history — every test, mileage and advisory — for any UK vehicle.
View full MOT historyFrequently Asked Questions
Can I see MOT history before 2005?
Not online. Pre-2005 tests were paper-based and never digitised, so they don't appear in the DVSA database. Only tests from 2005 onwards are available electronically.
Does MOT history show mileage?
Yes. Every test records the odometer reading, which lets you spot mileage inconsistencies or possible clocking across the car's history.