Motorcycle MOT history check

Enter a UK number plate to see every MOT test DVSA holds for that motorcycle: recorded mileage, failures, advisories and anything in the history that does not add up.

Covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland runs a separate system and is not included.

MOT history check FAQ

Where does this data come from?+

Directly from the DVSA MOT history service, which holds every MOT test carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. We do not edit the results, we only lay them out and point out what is worth asking about.

What is a mileage discrepancy?+

Every MOT records the odometer reading, so the readings should only ever rise. When a later test shows fewer miles than an earlier one, either the clock was wound back or the instruments were swapped without it being declared. Either way it needs explaining before money changes hands.

Why does my bike show no history?+

Motorcycles do not need an MOT until they are three years old, so a nearly new machine has nothing to show. Northern Ireland is on a separate system and is not covered here.

Do advisories matter?+

They are not a legal requirement to fix, which is exactly why they are useful. An advisory that reappears year after year tells you the owner has been putting off the work, and gives you a concrete number to negotiate with.

Is this a substitute for an inspection?+

No. MOT history tells you what a tester saw on one day a year. It says nothing about engine internals, crash damage, outstanding finance or whether the bike is stolen. Treat it as the first filter, not the last word.

How to read an MOT history

The single most valuable thing in an MOT record is the mileage trail. Readings are taken by an independent tester once a year, which makes them very hard to fake retrospectively - and that is why a drop in recorded mileage is such a strong signal.

After that, look at patterns rather than individual items. One advisory means nothing. The same advisory three years running means an owner who defers maintenance. A cluster of failures on brakes and tyres means money you are about to spend. Once you know what you are looking at, browse used motorbikes or read buying advice in the Riders Zone.