Methodology

The data MotRadar uses

Every report is built from the DVSA MOT History API. For the vehicle, MotRadar reads the make, model, colour, fuel type and the date it was first used. For each test it reads the date the test was completed, the result, the expiry date recorded when the vehicle passed, the odometer reading with its unit, and each recorded defect with its wording and category: dangerous, major, minor or advisory.

Nothing else is added. MotRadar holds no keeper, tax, insurance, finance or write-off data. A registration you enter is sent to MotRadar's own server, which asks DVSA for the record; the Privacy Policy explains how that lookup is handled.

Current MOT status and expiry

The current expiry date comes from the most recent test that passed and has an expiry date recorded. A failed test never moves it. MotRadar compares that date with today's calendar date in UK time and shows the MOT as expired, due today or still running, together with the number of days in either direction.

If the vehicle has never passed a test, the status is shown as not valid. If the record holds no usable expiry date, MotRadar says the date is unavailable rather than working one out.

Pass and fail summary

The summary shows three numbers: tests recorded as a pass, tests recorded as a fail, and the two added together as comparable tests. A test with an unclear result is left out of all three, so the comparable figure can be lower than the number of entries in the timeline.

Repeated defects

A defect or advisory is listed as repeated when the same wording appears on two or more different test dates. Before comparing, MotRadar ignores differences in capital letters and extra spaces, and nothing more. Two notes that describe the same problem in different words are therefore not merged, so it is still worth reading the full timeline yourself. Repeats are sorted so the ones seen most often come first.

Mileage readings

Readings are placed in date order. A reading without a recorded unit is left out of the comparison. If a vehicle's readings mix miles and kilometres, MotRadar does not convert or compare them and says so. With fewer than two comparable readings there is no trend to describe.

When a later reading is lower than the one before it, MotRadar marks that pair for checking. It does not say why the drop happened or treat it as proof of anything. A tester can mistype a value, and GOV.UK explains how to fix mistakes on an MOT record.

When a rule cannot run

The summary, repeated defects and mileage notes are worked out separately. If one of them cannot be produced from a record, that part is labelled as unavailable and the rest of the report is still shown. A defect without a recognised category is listed under its own unknown heading rather than being given one, a missing reading or expiry date is shown as unknown, and a test entry without a valid completion date is left out instead of being guessed at.

How fresh a result is

A successful lookup can be reused for up to one hour, so a result may have been fetched a little before you opened it. If DVSA cannot be reached, MotRadar may show a copy fetched within the previous 24 hours instead, clearly marked as older data with the time it was fetched. A test finished very recently may therefore not appear straight away.

What MotRadar does not do

MotRadar does not estimate missing readings or dates, does not change or correct DVSA records and does not decide whether a vehicle is in good condition or worth buying. Its notes are prompts for questions, not conclusions. For anything that matters to a purchase, combine the record with paperwork and an independent inspection.

Licence and corrections

MotRadar contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. It is an independent site and is not affiliated with DVSA or DVLA.

If an MOT record itself is wrong, it has to be corrected at source; the Contact page explains who to ask. If the record is right but MotRadar shows it wrongly, email support@motradar.co.uk.

Last reviewed: 11 October 2026.