Why Is Checking A Car’s MOT History Important?
Checking a car’s MOT history is crucial because it tells you whether the car has passed its annual MOT tests or not. If the car has failed its MOT in the past, it’s an indication that there may be underlying issues with the vehicle. Additionally, if a car has a long history of MOT failures, it’s an indication that the car may not be in a roadworthy condition, and you may be putting yourself and other road users at risk if you decide to purchase it.
How To Check A Car’s MOT History
The easiest way to check a car’s MOT history is by using the government’s official website. The website is free to use, and all you need is the car’s registration number. Follow these simple steps to check the MOT history of a car:
Step 1: Visit the government’s official MOT history website at https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.
Step 2: Enter the car’s registration number and click on “Continue.”
Step 3: On the next page, you’ll see the car’s MOT history. You can see the date of each MOT test, the results of the test, and any advisory or failure notices issued.
What Information Can You Learn From A Car’s MOT History?
A car’s MOT history provides a wealth of information about the vehicle, including:
Previous Test Results: You can see the results of each MOT test conducted on the vehicle. This includes whether the car passed or failed the test and the reasons for the failure if it failed.
Mileage: You can see the mileage of the car at the time of each MOT test. This can be an indication of whether the car has been used excessively or not.
Advisory Notices: If there were any advisory notices issued during the MOT test, you can see them in the MOT history. Advisory notices are not failures, but they do indicate that there may be issues with the vehicle that need to be addressed.
Failure Notices: If the car has failed an MOT test in the past, you can see the reasons for the failure in the MOT history. This can give you an indication of any underlying issues with the car that may need to be addressed before purchasing.
MOT Expiry Date: You can see the date when the car’s current MOT expires. This is important information to have if you’re considering purchasing the car as you’ll need to know when the next MOT test is due.
What To Look Out For When Checking A Car’s MOT History
When checking a car’s MOT history, there are a few things to look out for. Firstly, check the date of the most recent MOT test. If the MOT is due soon, it may be an indication that the seller is trying to offload the car before it fails its MOT test.
Secondly, check the number of failures the car has had in the past. If the car has a long history of MOT failures, it’s an indication that the car may not be in a roadworthy condition.
Lastly, check the reasons for any previous failures or advisory notices. If the car has had issues with the brakes or suspension, for example, it may be an indication of underlying issues that could be costly to repair.
Conclusion
Checking a car’s MOT history is an important part of the car-buying process. It can help you make an informed decision about whether the car is worth purchasing or not. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily check a car’s MOT history and gain valuable insight into its condition. Be sure to take note of any failures or advisory notices and use this information to help you negotiate the price of the car.
