Free UK vehicle check — MOT history and mileage
Know more before you buy. Check MOT history, mileage, advisories and tax status using DVSA and DVLA records. Free to check. No account or payment required.
MOT records describe tests at the time they were carried out, not a vehicle’s current condition. Mileage flags do not prove fraud. ULEZ and running-cost figures are Motorwise estimates. Vehicle responses may be cached, and searched registrations can appear in server logs.
We check what the advert won’t tell you
Motorwise turns official DVSA and DVLA records into a clear, visual history — in seconds, and completely free.
Full MOT history
Every MOT test from official DVSA records — pass/fail results, advisories and the mileage recorded at each test.
Mileage history
We chart the recorded mileage at every MOT, so a decrease or an impossible jump is visible at a glance. A dip is a recorded discrepancy, not proof the vehicle was clocked.
Defects across 11 systems
Brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, exhaust, body and more — grouped so recurring faults stand out.
Tax & SORN status
Road-tax and SORN status from DVLA. Responses may be cached, so treat the status as a snapshot and confirm before you drive.
Emissions & ULEZ
Motorwise estimate of Euro emissions standard and ULEZ/LEZ guidance. Confirm with the zone operator before you travel — not a guarantee of daily charges.
Compare up to 4 vehicles
Line several cars up side by side and compare mileage, defects and advisories on the same charts.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a car’s mileage has been clocked?
The clearest sign of possible mileage tampering (clocking) is a decrease in recorded mileage between MOT tests. That decrease is a recorded discrepancy in the MOT history, not proof of fraud. Check for: mileage that drops between consecutive MOTs, unusually low annual mileage on a daily driver (under 1,000 miles per year), or patterns that don’t match the vehicle’s age and type. Motorwise charts mileage at every MOT test point so those anomalies are visible.
What do MOT advisory notices mean and should I be worried?
MOT advisories flag issues that aren’t serious enough to fail the test but may need attention soon. Common examples include ‘brake disc worn but above legal limit’ or ‘tyre worn close to legal limit’. A few advisories are normal on older vehicles. What matters is the pattern: recurring advisories on the same component across multiple tests suggest ongoing wear that could become a failure. Motorwise groups advisories by vehicle system so you can see whether brakes, suspension, or other areas have a history of flagged issues.
Where does Motorwise get its data and is it reliable?
MOT history data comes from the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) public MOT history API — the same underlying open dataset that powers the gov.uk MOT checker. Vehicle registration and tax data comes from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) public APIs. Core MOT, registration and tax records come directly from these official sources; some derived figures — such as ULEZ compliance and fuel-cost estimates — are calculated by Motorwise and should be treated as guidance, not official records. Motorwise is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA, DVLA or gov.uk.
What vehicles can I check on Motorwise?
Any UK-registered vehicle that has been through at least one MOT test — cars, vans, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles registered in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Vehicles under 3 years old are exempt from MOT testing in the UK, so they will have registration and tax data but no MOT history. Recently imported vehicles may also have limited UK test history.
What doesn’t Motorwise check?
Motorwise reports on data held in public DVSA and DVLA records. It does not show outstanding finance, insurance write-off status, stolen-vehicle markers or previous keeper history — none of that is published in the government data we use. For those, use a paid provenance check (such as an HPI-style check) alongside Motorwise before you buy.