Check a Car

MyPlateCheck

Check the car before you buy it.

Start with a free vehicle check, then go deeper only when you need to.

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MOT history

Read the MOT history, not just today's expiry date.

Previous MOT tests can reveal recurring advisories, failure patterns and mileage readings that are easy to miss if you only look at whether the current certificate is valid.

UK registration lookupMOT & tax contextBuyer-focused reports

Build a timeline from previous tests

Read MOT tests in date order and look for repeated defects, failures followed by passes, long periods between tests and changes in recorded mileage. The pattern is often more useful than one isolated result.

Repeated advisories deserve attention

An advisory is not automatically a reason to reject a car, but the same tyre, suspension, corrosion, brake or lighting issue appearing repeatedly may suggest maintenance has been delayed.

Use MOT mileage as a cross-check

Mileage recorded at each MOT gives you historical reference points. Compare the progression with the dashboard, service records and any additional mileage information available in a deeper vehicle history check.

How to use this information

MyPlateCheck combines available vehicle data into buyer-focused checks. Data can contain omissions or recording errors, so use it alongside the V5C and VIN, service history, seller evidence and a physical inspection. Resolve material inconsistencies before paying for a vehicle.

Learn before you buy

Guides related to this check.

Use these practical guides to understand what the data can mean and what to verify with the seller or vehicle.

MOT & maintenanceHow to Check MOT History Before Buying a Used CarLearn what a UK MOT history can reveal about mileage, recurring defects, advisories and how well a used car may have been maintained.Read guide →MOT & maintenanceMOT Advisories Explained: Which Ones Matter When Buying a Used Car?Learn how to read MOT advisories, spot repeated maintenance warnings and decide which issues deserve closer inspection before buying.Read guide →MileageMOT Mileage Discrepancy: What Does It Mean?Understand why MOT mileage can appear inconsistent and how to investigate possible clocking, entry mistakes or instrument changes.Read guide →

Questions buyers ask

Useful answers before you check.

How far back can MOT history go?+

The amount of available history depends on the vehicle and the records returned. Many vehicles have multiple years of previous MOT information.

Is an MOT advisory a failure?+

No. Advisories identify items that may need monitoring or attention but did not necessarily cause that test to fail.

Can MOT history prove a car has been well maintained?+

No. It provides useful evidence, but service records, invoices, condition and inspection remain important.

Start with the registration

Check the vehicle before you commit.

Run the free vehicle check first, then choose deeper history checks if the purchase needs them.