Reading MOT History
Master the art of interpreting MOT records to make smarter vehicle purchases. Learn what advisories mean, how to spot patterns, and when to walk away.
Why MOT History Matters
MOT history reveals the true story of a vehicle's maintenance and condition over time. While a current valid MOT means the car passed its most recent test, the historical record shows patterns of wear, recurring problems, and how well previous owners maintained the vehicle.
Smart buyers use MOT history to negotiate better prices, avoid problem vehicles, and understand what repairs might be needed soon. A clean MOT history adds value, while repeated failures on the same components signal trouble ahead.
Understanding the MOT Record
Test result (Pass/Fail)
Shows whether the vehicle passed or failed. Multiple consecutive passes suggest good maintenance. Frequent failures indicate neglect or serious mechanical issues worth investigating further.
Mileage at test
Recorded odometer reading at each test. Compare year to year for consistency. Sudden drops, missing entries, or suspiciously low mileage for the car's age suggest tampering or clocking.
Expiry date
When the current MOT expires. Useful for planning when to book next test. Cars tested early keep the original anniversary date, so check the expiry carefully before purchase.
Advisories and failures
List of issues found during inspection. Advisories don't cause failure but warn of future problems. Failures prevented the car passing. Both provide insight into vehicle condition and maintenance needs.
Decoding Advisory Notes
Monitor and repair if necessary
Common phrase indicating wear approaching limits. Examples include brake pads getting thin, tyres nearing minimum tread, or slight oil leaks. Not urgent but should be addressed before next MOT.
Component deteriorated but not excessively
Item showing age or wear but still functional. Might include suspension bushings, brake discs with light corrosion, or exhaust with minor surface rust. Plan replacement within 6-12 months.
Slight play in component
Usually refers to steering or suspension parts with minor looseness. Not dangerous yet but will worsen. Budget for repairs as this will likely become a failure point next year.
Nearside/offside terminology
Nearside means passenger side (left in UK). Offside means driver side (right in UK). Front/rear indicates position. Example: "Offside front tyre worn" means driver's side front tyre needs attention.
Red Flags in MOT History
Repeat advisories ignored
Same advisory appearing year after year without repair suggests owner neglect. If brake pad wear was noted three years running and never fixed, expect other deferred maintenance throughout the vehicle.
Back to back failures
Multiple test attempts in quick succession indicate serious problems or shoddy repairs. Pattern of fail, retest next day, fail again suggests garage struggling to fix issues properly. Indicates poor vehicle condition.
Mileage discrepancies
Odometer reading that decreases between tests or shows impossibly low annual mileage. Clear sign of clocking (illegal mileage tampering). Walk away immediately as entire history becomes questionable.
Major structural corrosion
Rust advisories becoming progressively worse year over year. Structural corrosion doesn't heal itself. If sill corrosion was minor three years ago and major now, expensive welding or write-off looms.
Emission failures
Repeated emission test failures suggest engine problems, faulty catalytic converter, or poor maintenance. Expensive to fix properly. May indicate engine wear or burning oil requiring major repairs.
Dangerous defects
Any dangerous classification in history shows vehicle was once unsafe to drive. Check what was repaired and by whom. Multiple dangerous failures indicate serious neglect or abuse requiring thorough inspection.
Positive Signs in MOT History
Consistent annual mileage
Steady increase of 8,000-12,000 miles per year suggests honest use and genuine odometer reading. Matches typical UK driving patterns. Easy to verify and cross-reference with service records.
Advisories addressed promptly
Advisory one year, fixed by next test demonstrates proactive maintenance. Shows owner cares for vehicle and prevents small issues becoming expensive failures. Good indicator of overall vehicle care.
Clean passes with minimal advisories
Tests showing "no advisories" or only minor items like slight tyre wear indicate well-maintained vehicle. Especially impressive on older or higher-mileage cars showing good preventative maintenance habits.
Regular testing at same garage
Vehicle tested at one location suggests stable ownership and consistent maintenance relationship. Garage familiar with vehicle history provides better inspection. Indicates owner hasn't been "garage hopping" to hide issues.
How to Use MOT History When Buying
Check before viewing
Review MOT history on MOTCompare before visiting the car. Saves wasted trips to problem vehicles. Prepare questions about specific advisories or failures to ask the seller during inspection.
Use for negotiation
Upcoming repairs revealed in advisories provide negotiation leverage. Example: if brake pads were noted as low last MOT, factor replacement cost into your offer. Recent failures justify price reductions.
Budget for known issues
Advisories show what repairs are coming. Research typical costs for these repairs. Add to your budget or negotiate price down accordingly. Factor in parts and labor for realistic cost estimates.
Verify seller's claims
Seller says "just had new brakes"? Check MOT history for brake advisories in recent tests. Claims of low mileage can be verified against test records. MOT data exposes dishonest sellers quickly.
When to Walk Away
- Any evidence of mileage tampering or discrepancies
- Three or more failures in the last five years
- Same major advisory for multiple years without repair
- Recent dangerous defects, especially structural issues
- Pattern of failures immediately before sale
- Emission failures combined with engine advisories
- Heavy corrosion progressing year after year
- Missing MOT records for expected test dates
Check Any Vehicle's History
Enter any UK registration to view complete MOT records, mileage history, and detailed advisory patterns.
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