Owning a vehicle inevitably comes with responsibilities that go beyond just getting behind the wheel and driving. One of these essential duties being knowing the MoT status and history of your vehicle. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use online tools to check a car’s current MoT status and review its past records.
Whether you’re buying a used car or simply ensuring your vehicle is in top shape, understanding its history is crucial. Read on to learn how easy it is to access this vital information.
How can I check my vehicles MoT history?
Luckily everything you need to know about your cars MoT history is just a few clicks away. Simply head over to the MoT check website on GOV.UK, and enter your vehicle’s registration (number plate).
You’ll be presented with information such as whether your car has a valid MoT, and any advisory notes made during the assessment. Additionally, you can find out the mileage recorded at the time of the test and see when the MoT expires. If that’s not enough, you can access to the car’s full MoT history, too, including any past failures and the reasons for them.
Why should I check a car’s MoT history?
There are several factors as to why you should always check a car’s MoT history.
One major reason is to avoid the unpleasant surprise of discovering hidden faults after purchasing a used car. Doing that extra bit of background research will give you an idea of how well the car has been maintained and reveal any past failures or advisories.
Additionally, you can examine the mileages between MoT tests to determine if the car was barley driven for years or, conversely, if it accumulated an unusually high number of miles in a single 12-month period. Both scenarios could indicate potential issues with the vehicle.
And lastly, if a car has more advisories on its MoT history you can look for evidence to see if the work has been carried out, or potentially negotiate the vehicle’s price down if the issues weren’t fixed.
When is my MoT due?
If your car is new, it won’t require an MOT until it turns three years old. Once it reaches this milestone, it will need a new test every 12 months. This ensures that vehicles on the road are regularly checked for safety and emissions compliance, maintaining road safety standards.
What’s the argument for four-year first MoTs?
The DfT says that delaying the first test for new vehicles could save motorists around £100m a year. ‘Major developments in vehicle technology,’ have increased road safety since MoTs were introduced in 1960, and accident statistics certainly bear this out.
Official figures say that 26 people were killed in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2021 when vehicle defects were a contributory factor. The department said the number of casualties in crashes caused by vehicle defects is ‘low’ and government analysis shows delaying the first MoT ‘should not impact road safety.’
What’s the argument against four-year first MoTs?
AA president Edmund King says that the test, ‘Plays a vital role in ensuring that vehicles on our roads are safe and well maintained. With one in 10 cars failing their first MoT, we strongly discourage the government from extending a car’s first test to the fourth anniversary due to road safety concerns.’
The RAC’s head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes added: ‘While we’re not opposed to delaying a new vehicle’s first MoT, we believe there should be a requirement for particularly high mileage vehicles to be tested sooner. If the Government is looking to improve the MoT, now is the ideal time to take into account how much a vehicle is driven alongside the number of years it’s been on the road.’
He also added: ‘We’re also disappointed the government is still entertaining the idea of increasing the time between MoTs. Our research clearly shows drivers don’t agree with this and believe it’s dangerous.’
What’s the argument for shifting to a biennial MoT?
A biennial MoT, that is one that will be required every two years, will save all motorists at least £54.85. It means those who don’t put as many miles on their motor aren’t paying more for their motoring than absolutely necessary.
Annual service is recommended and all insurers require you to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy. A car that isn’t being suitably maintained could invalidate the insurance policy that is supposed to cover it. Thus, some could argue there are sufficient mechanisms in place to keep your vehicle roadworthy, without needing an annual legal stipulation.
What’s the argument for keeping yearly MoTs?
Safety is the biggest concern. In 2019, figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency showed that 34% of vehicles fail their initial MoT test and require repair to see a pass.
SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said in response to the suggestion of going biennial: ‘The industry shares the widespread concern over rising prices and the squeeze on household incomes. Safety, however, must always come first.
‘While today’s vehicles are more reliable than ever, regular MoTs ensure safety-critical components such as brakes and tyres, which wear out as a result of normal operation, are properly inspected and maintained. Stretching MoT intervals will undermine the safety net at a time when vehicle miles driven are increasing.’
‘To ensure the safety of our roads, drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users, inspections and maintenance must be carried out annually following their first presentation in year three.’
RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes voiced similar concerns: ‘The purpose of an MoT is to ensure vehicles meet a basic level of safety for driving on our roads. Shifting it from annually to every two years would see a dramatic increase in the number of unroadworthy vehicles and could make our roads far less safe.’
Shifting vehicle technology standards
There are software updates to take into consideration too. If you’re not especially tech-savvy, you may be a driver relying on periodic updates from your garage to keep everything working smoothly.
Finally, there’s the matter of garages and their business model. Taking away a fairly secure portion of their income might not be front-of-mind for the consumer. Yet, if the mechanics are unable to predict income, they might be forced to close their business and that could affect how far a driver needs to travel for getting repairs, servicing and a biennial MoT done in future.
Since the jury is still out on whether such a change to the MoT test is going to happen, there’s no immediate cause for concern.
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