Buying a used car? The best thing is to go and check its MOT history. It reveals a lot of important information, which will save you from costly mistakes.
How to Check MOT History
Set the official MOT history checker. Just input the vehicle registration number and you will instantly get a detailed report of every MOT test result, mileage reading and advisory notes since 2005. It’s free and takes seconds.
Spotting Mileage Discrepancies
Mileage is recorded at every single test on the MOT records. For MOT Gloucester, contact www.123carandcommercial.com/mot-gloucester
Understanding Failure Patterns
Multiple failures means bad maintenance or more deep-seated issues. Check what the car failed on. If the brakes, suspension or emissions have been regular problems it points to missed servicing and potentially real mechanical issues.
Reading Advisory Notices
Advisories are issues that aren’t so serious to fail the MOT – but they will soon. A collection of several advisories over many years indicates a car that has been through the mill rather than having had ongoing care.
Service Intervals
It looks like the vehicle has been driven carefully and well looked after given those MOTs with reasonable mileage increases. Unusually large gaps or irregular patterns could be a sign of the car going off road, or not being used regularly.
Making Your Decision
A nice MOT history, with a few advisories but low levels of mileage will reassure. Is there anything that keeps on sticking about the car, any gaps you feel are not explained properly or some mileage discrepancies that raise a red flag?
Checking the history is the best defence you have against being stuck with someone else’s headache.