When buying a used car, one of the most important things you can do is check its MOT history. The MOT test provides an impartial assessment of a vehicle's roadworthiness and safety. Looking at a car's previous MOT certificates can give you valuable insight into its condition and reliability. Here's a guide to understanding MOT history and how it can help inform your used car purchase.
Length of MOT Validity
In Britain, once a car is three years old it legally requires an MOT test every 12 months to check it meets road safety and environmental standards. This means that for each year a used car has been on the road, it should have an MOT certificate dated within that year. Car sellers may advertise vehicles with short or nearly expired MOTs - make sure you factor in the cost of renewing it soon.
Check for Consistent Testing
Ideally, you want to see that an MOT test has been carried out annually on the car with no gaps. Missing MOT years or irregular test intervals can indicate a lack of maintenance and care by previous owners. Watch out for any obvious test gaps that could suggest the car was off the road for a long period.
Number of Test Failures
It's normal for some minor faults to appear from year to year, but multiple re-tests and failures suggest bigger underlying issues. Technical failures that are reoccurring point to problem areas that haven't been properly fixed. If you spot a pattern of serious faults, it's worth getting an independent mechanic to check the car before purchase.
Mileage at Time of Test
While not always accurate - as mileage can be clocked or wound back - comparing the recorded mileage at each test date can give you a rough guide to the car's annual usage. Low or inconsistent mileages between MOTs may indicate the odometer has been tampered with. Especially high miles in one year could suggest the car was used for taxi or commercial use. Buying a car from a reputable dealer can help you avoid these issues. For example, buyers in Lancashire can look at dealers specialising in used car sales in Morecambe, Lancaster, or Blackburn.
Advisors Recorded
Even if the car passed its MOT, look out for any advisories noted on the certificate. These indicate problems that aren't currently serious enough to fail the test but will need attention soon. A string of recurring advisories indicates known wear and tear areas to keep an eye on if you buy the car.
Major Repairs and Replacements
Significant parts like tyres, exhaust systems and batteries will appear on MOT re-test certificates if they had to be replaced to pass. This gives you insight into big items that have required investment recently. However, don't be put off by one-off repairs - this demonstrates the seller is maintaining the vehicle.
Checking a used car's MOT history takes a bit of time and effort but is always worth doing. By applying this knowledge, you can spot potential warning signs and make a more informed decision about the car's condition before handing over your cash.
