OdoTrace · Editorial review: . Source dates are stated separately.
For a car with a UK inspection history, MOT records can supply dated odometer evidence. Keep its former UK registration if it has been exported.
Do this now
- Get the UK registration number, current or former, from the seller's registration or export paperwork.
- Enter it in GOV.UK's MOT history check and note each test's date, mileage, outcome and defects.
- Enter the VIN in the OdoTrace vehicle check to compare any records the connected DVSA source returns by VIN.
- Convert units before comparing: UK records commonly use miles, and the seller may advertise kilometres.
- If OdoTrace returns no match, use its separate optional UK registration check, and confirm the vehicle's identity with the seller's paperwork.
MOT records give dated readings and test outcomes for the dates they cover; they do not show the car's condition today.
The public government lookup and OdoTrace use different input routes: the official service takes a registration number, OdoTrace's main lookup takes a VIN.
Choose the right lookup
| Lookup | You enter | Result and next step |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK's MOT history check (official public service) | The registration number | Review the recorded mileage, test outcomes and available defects. |
| OdoTrace vehicle check | The VIN | The connected DVSA source looks up available records by VIN. If it returns no match or is unavailable, use the optional UK registration check or the official registration route and compare documents. |
| Optional UK plate check in OdoTrace | The UK registration, in the separate optional check | Its MOT readings belong to that plate response and are not matched to the VIN in your report. Confirm the identity using the vehicle and seller’s paperwork before relating the two results. |
GOV.UK states that car, motorcycle and van records in England, Scotland and Wales start in 2005; Northern Ireland results start in 2017. A particular vehicle may have a shorter history. Official coverage.
For an exported car, connect the records carefully
- Match the former registration and VIN to export and registration paperwork. A current foreign plate will not replace the old UK registration in the public MOT service.
- Compare units before comparing numbers. UK records commonly use miles; the seller may advertise kilometres.
- Mark the export date and find destination-country inspections. A gap between countries remains a gap even when both countries return some records.
- Ask about repeated advisories and the work that resolved them. A pass is the test outcome on that date.
Keep individual history separate from fleet statistics
OdoTrace's public model pages use a separate, historical 2023 bulk dataset. For example, the 2008 Yaris odometer band describes a cohort in 2023. It does not add inspection records to your car or estimate its current mileage.
The underlying official integration is documented in the DVSA MOT History API specification. Read the mileage-history checklist for handling decreases and missing periods.