Full MOT history with every advisory, defect, mileage reading and outstanding recall
Free instant check - data direct from DVSA
Every advisory, not just pass or fail. See the full trail of advisories, defects, mileage and recalls for any UK vehicle, straight from DVSA records.
Most MOT history tools show you pass or fail results and little else. This checker goes further - it displays every advisory notice recorded against a vehicle, giving you the full picture of its mechanical condition over time. Advisory notices highlight components that are starting to deteriorate but haven't yet reached the MOT failure threshold.
Advisory notices are the hidden story of a vehicle's health. A car that passes its MOT with six advisories tells a very different story to one that passes clean. Whether you're buying a used car, selling a vehicle, or keeping on top of your own car's maintenance, the full advisory trail gives you information that a simple pass/fail result cannot.
If DVSA records show a manufacturer safety recall that hasn't been resolved, it's flagged prominently at the top of the results. Recalls are issued when a manufacturer identifies a safety-related fault, and the repair is normally carried out free of charge by a franchised dealer - so it's worth checking before you buy, and as an owner.
Every MOT test records an odometer reading. This checker displays those readings as a visual mileage history, making it easy to spot the annual mileage pattern and identify any inconsistencies. A sudden jump or drop in recorded mileage between tests can be a red flag for buyers and dealers alike.
See exactly when a vehicle's MOT expires, with a clear countdown showing months, weeks and days remaining. The status indicator changes from green to amber when the MOT is due within 30 days, and red once expired - so you never miss a renewal.
Vehicles you look up are remembered on your device, so you can re-check them in one tap and see at a glance when each MOT is due. There's no account and nothing to sign up for - you can remove any vehicle or clear your history whenever you like.
Defects are shown with their full DVSA classification - dangerous, major, minor, and advisory - each colour-coded for quick scanning. Expand any test to see the complete list of issues recorded, including the exact wording from the examiner's report.
All information comes directly from the DVSA MOT History API, the official UK government source for MOT records. This includes test results for cars, motorcycles, vans, HGVs, buses and coaches registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
These are some of the advisories that appear most often on MOT certificates, what they mean, and how much attention they deserve.
The legal minimum tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round the tyre. This advisory means the tyre still passes but is getting near that line. Driving on tyres below the limit can mean a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre, so budget for replacements before the next MOT.
Rubber hardens and cracks with age and sunlight, often on cars that sit unused for long periods. Light surface cracking is common, but deeper cracks or bulges weaken the tyre. Check the tyre's age from the four-digit date code on the sidewall (week and year of manufacture); many fitters suggest replacing tyres older than about six to ten years whatever their tread.
Discs and pads are wear items, so this advisory is a reminder that they are part-way through their life. Pads are usually replaced more often than discs. If you're buying, factor the cost into your offer; if you're the owner, ask for a measurement at your next service.
Steel brake pipes run under the car and corrode over time, especially where roads are salted in winter. Light surface corrosion is recorded as an advisory; corrosion that weakens the pipe is a failure, because a burst pipe can cause sudden loss of braking. Repeated advisories for the same pipe across several years deserve a closer look.
Some surface rust is normal on older vehicles. The concern is corrosion near structural points such as suspension mountings, sills and subframes, where it can affect strength. Phrases like "not excessive" or "slightly corroded" are mild; the same item recurring and worsening over several tests suggests it has never been treated.
Dust covers protect joints from dirt and water; once split, the joint inside wears faster. Slight play in a joint or a worn rubber bush can affect handling and tyre wear. These are often inexpensive to fix early and more costly if left.
A minor seep or damp patch is common on older engines and is recorded as an advisory. A leak heavy enough to drip is a failure because of the fire and slip risk. Note where the leak is; leaks from the engine, gearbox and power steering have different repair costs.
Small blows and surface corrosion are typical as an exhaust ages. A significant leak, a loose system or failed emissions is a failure. Exhaust leaks near the front of the car can also let fumes reach the cabin, so they're worth fixing promptly.
Chips and cracks are judged by size and position. Damage larger than 10mm in the area directly in front of the driver, or larger than 40mm elsewhere in the area the wipers clear, is a failure. Smaller damage is recorded as an advisory and can often be repaired cheaply before it spreads; many insurers cover chip repairs.
How to read an advisory history: look for patterns across several tests rather than single entries. The same advisory appearing year after year usually means the item was monitored rather than repaired. An advisory that disappears suggests it was fixed, though it may simply not have been noted. A car that passes clean every year is not guaranteed to be perfect, but a long, growing list of advisories is a useful prompt to ask questions or get an independent inspection.
Full MOT test history for a vehicle: pass and fail results, every advisory notice, minor, major and dangerous defects, the mileage recorded at each test, the MOT expiry date, outstanding recalls and test reference numbers.
An advisory is something the tester noticed that isn't bad enough to fail the MOT but may need attention soon, such as tyres nearing the legal limit or light corrosion. It is recorded on the certificate so the owner, and future buyers, know to keep an eye on it.
No, advisories don't stop a car passing and there is no legal requirement to fix them by a deadline. However, you are always responsible for keeping a vehicle roadworthy, and some advisories, such as tyres close to the legal limit, can become illegal before the next MOT. It's sensible to get them checked.
Since May 2018, MOT defects in England, Scotland and Wales have been graded. Minor defects don't fail the test but should be repaired as soon as possible. Major defects fail the test and must be repaired. Dangerous defects also fail the test, and the vehicle should not be driven until it has been repaired. Advisories sit below minor defects: items to monitor.
Yes. Advisories and minor defects are both recorded on a pass certificate. Only major and dangerous defects cause a failure.
They show the parts that were starting to wear at each test, so you can see what may need money spending soon and whether problems were fixed or left to repeat year after year. That makes them useful for negotiating a price and for deciding whether to get an independent inspection.
Mileage should rise steadily from one test to the next. A reading lower than the previous one, or an unusually large gap, is worth questioning. There can be innocent explanations, such as a replaced instrument cluster or a typing error at the test centre, so ask the seller for paperwork.
Yes. If DVSA records show an outstanding manufacturer safety recall against the vehicle, it is highlighted at the top of the results so you can arrange the repair, which is normally carried out free of charge by a franchised dealer.
All data comes directly from the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) MOT History API, the official UK government source for MOT test records.
Yes, it is completely free to use. Enter any UK vehicle registration number to see its full MOT history, including all advisories.
Your recent checks are saved only in your own browser so you can re-check a vehicle in one tap. There is no account, and you can remove a vehicle, clear your history or stop saving history at any time using the settings button next to your recent checks.