Before buying a used car, check its full MOT history - it's a free, official record of how the car has held up over the years. Enter the registration on RegScan and you'll see every past test, the mileage each year, and the advisories and failures recorded - no sign-up, no card. It's one of the best free checks a buyer can do.

What MOT history tells you

Every MOT is logged against the vehicle by the DVSA. Read together, those tests show patterns a single glance at the car can't: how it's been maintained, whether the mileage adds up, and which problems keep recurring.

1. Check the mileage adds up

Mileage is recorded at each MOT. It should rise steadily year on year. Watch for:

  • a reading that drops versus a previous year (a classic sign of odometer tampering / "clocking"), or
  • an implausibly small or large jump between tests.

RegScan checks this for you and flags any mileage that falls between tests.

2. Look at failures and why

An MOT failure isn't automatically a dealbreaker - cars fail and get fixed. But repeated failures, or fails for the same serious items, suggest deferred maintenance. Check what failed and whether it was a cheap fix or something structural.

3. Watch for recurring advisories

This is the big one. If the same advisory appears year after year - a corroded brake pipe, a worn bush, a weeping seal - it usually means the issue was never fixed and is getting worse. RegScan groups advisories by area and highlights the recurring ones automatically, so you can see at a glance what the car keeps needing.

4. Cross-check tax and status

While you're there, check the car is taxed (or SORN) and has a current MOT. A gap can be a negotiating point and tells you what you'll need to sort on day one.

What MOT history won't show

It's not a full provenance check - it won't reveal outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or whether the car was stolen. For those, a paid history check is worth it. But MOT history is the best free starting point, and often enough to walk away from a bad car.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check a used car's MOT history?

Enter its registration on RegScan (or GOV.UK). You'll see every MOT test, mileage, advisories and failures - free, with no sign-up.

What should I look for in MOT history before buying?

Consistent rising mileage, what any failures were for, and advisories that repeat across years - a recurring advisory often means an unfixed, worsening fault.

Can mileage in MOT history reveal clocking?

Often, yes. If a recorded reading is lower than a previous year's, or jumps implausibly, that's a red flag. RegScan flags mileage that falls between tests.

Does MOT history show finance or write-offs?

No. MOT history covers tests, mileage and advisories only. For finance, write-off or stolen checks you need a separate paid history report.

Is checking MOT history free?

Yes. RegScan shows full MOT history and recurring advisories free, using official DVSA data.