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MOTAdvisor Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency

info_outline DVSA Vehicle Services

About MOTAdvisor

MOTAdvisor is the official free vehicle information service operated on behalf of the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). We provide instant access to MOT history, vehicle tax status and other government-held vehicle records.

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About this service

MOTAdvisor is a free, publicly accessible vehicle information service built on official DVSA data. It allows anyone in the UK to check the MOT history of any registered vehicle instantly, without signing in or paying a fee.

The service is operated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), an executive agency of the Department for Transport, whose mission is to help keep Britain's roads safe.

1.What we do

MOTAdvisor provides free, instant access to government-held vehicle records. Our core services include:

  • MOT history checker – view full pass, fail, advisory and mileage records for any UK vehicle
  • MOT expiry checker – confirm whether a vehicle's MOT is currently valid and when it expires
  • Vehicle tax status – check whether a vehicle is taxed or has a SORN
  • Recall checker – find out if a vehicle is subject to an outstanding safety recall
  • MOT centre finder – locate an approved MOT test station near you

All services are free to use. No account or registration is required. We do not charge for access to any data provided through this website.

info MOTAdvisor is an official government service. Always check you are using the correct website before entering any vehicle or personal information.
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2.About DVSA

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. DVSA was formed in April 2014 following the merger of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

DVSA's purpose is to help keep Britain's roads safe by:

  • setting and maintaining standards for driving and vehicle testing
  • approving people to drive and vehicles to be used on the road
  • taking action against unsafe drivers and vehicles
  • providing authoritative information and advice to road users

DVSA carries out around 40 million MOT tests each year through a network of over 23,000 approved test stations across Great Britain. All test results are recorded in DVSA's central database and are accessible through this service.

Our responsibilities

DVSA is responsible for the MOT scheme, which requires most vehicles over three years old to have an annual roadworthiness test. DVSA sets the standards for the test, approves and monitors test stations, and maintains the official records of every test carried out.

open_in_new Find out more about DVSA on GOV.UK

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3.Our data and its sources

All vehicle and MOT data shown on MOTAdvisor comes directly from official DVSA and DVLA databases. We do not supplement or alter this data in any way. The information you see is the same information held on government systems.

MOT history data

MOT test results, advisory notices, defect descriptions and recorded mileage figures are sourced from DVSA's MOT testing database. Records are available for most vehicles tested since 2005. Some older records may not be available in digital form.

Vehicle registration data

Basic vehicle details (make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size and first registration date) are sourced from DVLA's vehicle registration database. This data is updated regularly to reflect changes recorded by DVLA.

Vehicle tax and SORN data

Vehicle excise duty (tax) status and SORN information is provided by DVLA. This reflects the current status of the vehicle at the time of your query.

info There may be a short delay between a test being carried out and the result appearing on this service. If you have just had an MOT, allow up to 24 hours for records to update.

Data accuracy and disputes

If you believe the data shown for a vehicle is incorrect, you should contact DVSA or DVLA directly. MOTAdvisor displays data as provided by government systems and is not able to alter or correct records.

open_in_new Contact DVSA about an incorrect MOT record

open_in_new Contact DVLA about vehicle registration details

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4.How this service is built

MOTAdvisor is built in accordance with the GOV.UK Service Standard and the Government Design Principles. We aim to build services that are simple, clear and fast for all users.

Our approach to building this service includes:

  • starting with user needs, informed by research with real vehicle owners and buyers
  • iterating and improving the service based on feedback and usage data
  • building on open standards and open-source technology where possible
  • making the service accessible to everyone, including users with disabilities
  • being transparent about how the service works and how data is used

API access

DVSA makes MOT history data available to approved third parties via the DVSA MOT History API. Commercial operators such as garages, fleet managers and motoring websites can apply for API access to integrate MOT data into their own services.

open_in_new Apply for DVSA MOT History API access

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5.Accessibility

MOTAdvisor is committed to being accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at level AA as a minimum.

Our accessibility commitments include:

  • clear, plain language throughout the service
  • sufficient colour contrast for all text and interactive elements
  • full keyboard navigability without requiring a mouse
  • compatibility with common screen readers and assistive technologies
  • responsive design that works on mobile, tablet and desktop devices
  • text resizing up to 200% without loss of content or functionality
warning_amber If you experience any accessibility barriers while using this service, please contact us so we can address the issue. We take all accessibility feedback seriously.

open_in_new Read our full accessibility statement

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6.Transparency and openness

As a government service, MOTAdvisor is committed to transparency in how it operates. This includes being open about the data we use, how the service is funded, and how we make decisions about its design and development.

Funding

MOTAdvisor is funded by the Department for Transport and operated by DVSA. The service is free to use and is not funded by advertising. We do not display adverts and we do not receive payment for referring users to commercial services.

Open data

DVSA publishes a range of open datasets relating to MOT testing, vehicle safety and road standards. These are available under the Open Government Licence and can be freely used, shared and adapted.

open_in_new Browse DVSA open data on data.gov.uk

Freedom of Information

You can make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to DVSA about any aspect of this service or its operation. FOI requests should be submitted in writing to DVSA's information access team.

open_in_new Make a Freedom of Information request to DVSA

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7.Contact us

If you have a question about this service, feedback to share, or need to report a problem, you can get in touch using the options below.

General enquiries

Report a problem with the service

If you have found a bug, an accessibility issue or incorrect data on this website, please let us know so we can investigate and fix it.

open_in_new Report a problem with MOTAdvisor

Contact DVSA directly

For queries about a specific MOT test result, test station, or other DVSA matter, contact DVSA directly via GOV.UK.

open_in_new Contact DVSA – GOV.UK

open_in_new Contact DVLA – GOV.UK

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