Start with the result and date
An MOT history records what happened at the tests returned for the vehicle. Start with the date of the latest result, then review the entries from earlier tests. A result from years ago should not be read as a statement about the car today.
An advisory is a prompt for a question
An advisory records an issue that did not cause a failure at that test. It can help you ask the seller about wear, repairs or maintenance. The wording alone does not show whether the issue was subsequently addressed.
Look for repeated entries
The same issue recorded across several tests can be worth discussing. Ask what work was done, when it was done and whether a repair invoice is available. Repeated wording can also reflect how an issue was recorded, so avoid assuming a precise diagnosis from a short entry.
A later pass needs context
A failure followed by a pass shows a change in recorded test result. It does not provide an itemised repair history. Supporting invoices and an inspection can fill in questions the MOT data cannot answer.
Prepare your questions before a viewing
Note the test date, the exact advisory wording and anything repeated in the history. Bring those questions to the seller. Keep the record distinct from an estimate of repair cost: this report does not price repairs or inspect the vehicle.
Check the underlying source
CheckThePlate arranges DVSA records into a readable report. Read the full available entries rather than relying only on a summary. If something is unclear, compare the government record and ask for further evidence.
Source: Government MOT history service. See also our data sources and limitations.