How to check a vehicle's MOT and tax
Before buying a used car, or just to stay road-legal, you can check any UK vehicle's MOT history and tax status free on gov.uk using only the registration plate. This tool validates the plate and links you straight to the official services.
When a car needs an MOT
Cars in Great Britain need their first MOT on the third anniversary of registration, then every year after. The MOT checks safety and emissions; driving without a valid one is illegal and invalidates most insurance. The DVSA's free service shows the expiry date and the full history, including past failures and advisories.
Vehicle tax and SORN
Every vehicle used or kept on a public road must be taxed (VED). The DVLA enquiry service shows whether a vehicle is currently taxed, its tax band and CO2, and whether it's declared off-road under a SORN. Untaxed vehicles risk fines and clamping.
Tax doesn't transfer when you buy
What the history tells you
The MOT history is one of the best free tools for a used-car buyer. Recurring advisories (tyres, brakes, corrosion), a sudden mileage drop between tests, or a string of failures all flag a car that may cost you. Cross-check the recorded mileage at each MOT against the seller's claimed figure.
Reading a UK number plate
The current style (since 2001) is two letters, two numbers, three letters, the two numbers encode the registration period. Earlier prefix (1983 to 2001) and suffix (1963 to 1983) plates use a single age letter. The age of the plate is a quick sanity check against a seller's description.
Common checking mistakes
- Assuming tax carries over on purchase. Vehicle tax is cancelled on sale, tax it yourself before driving.
- Ignoring repeated advisories. The same advisory year after year points to a deferred, growing problem.
- Not checking mileage consistency. MOT records reveal mileage at each test, a drop suggests a clock issue.
- Paying for data you can get free. MOT history and tax status are free on gov.uk; paid checks add little for basic facts.