1. Buying / selling a second hand car – how to check the MOT History
John W’s Smart Thinking
My 'Paperwork First' Rule
Before I ever travel to see a used car, I use the digital MOT record to see the "hidden" history. It’s a habit that has saved me thousands over the years. You can access the official portal below:
Access Official MOT Portal
"I’ve noticed that a car can look perfect in photos, but the MOT history tells the real story. I look for consistency—if a car has the same advisory for three years running, it tells me the owner only does the bare minimum."
How I Use the Check
1
Access: I open the official portal (link above) in a new tab so I can keep my checklist open.
2
Verification: I type in the number plate. If a seller won't give you the plate before a viewing, I usually consider that a red flag.
3
The Timeline: I scroll through the years to see if the mileage adds up and if failures were fixed immediately.
What I Look For
| What I Check | Why It Matters to Me |
|---|---|
| Failures | Fail highlights safety issues. I check if these were fixed on the same day or weeks later. |
| Mileage | I expect consistent annual increases. If I see a drop, I walk away unless there is a very clear explanation (like a speedometer change). |
| Advisories | These are my "future bill" indicators. I check if the same issues (like worn tyres or brakes) keep appearing, which suggests poor maintenance habits. |