How to Check If a Car Is Taxed and Has an MOT in the UK
If you are buying a used car, checking your own vehicle’s details or confirming when an MOT expires, you can use free official government services to check a vehicle’s tax and MOT status online.
You usually only need the vehicle’s registration number. These checks can help you confirm whether the vehicle is taxed, whether it has a valid MOT and when its next MOT is due.
In this guide, we explain how to check if a car is taxed and has an MOT, how to review its MOT history, and what to do if the information appears incorrect.
How to Check If a Car Is Taxed
You can check a car’s tax status using the official GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service.
Step 1: Visit the official vehicle tax checker
Open the GOV.UK vehicle tax checker.
Use the official government service rather than an unofficial website that charges a fee for information available free from the DVLA.
Step 2: Enter the vehicle registration number
Enter the car’s registration number exactly as it appears on its number plate.
Check the registration carefully before continuing to make sure you are looking at the correct vehicle.
Step 3: Review the result
The service tells you whether the vehicle is taxed or recorded as having a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
You can also check when its tax is due to expire and view other available vehicle information.
Remember that a SORN means the vehicle has been officially declared off the road. It does not mean the vehicle is taxed for normal road use.
Official service: Check if a vehicle is taxed.
How to Check If a Car Has a Valid MOT
An MOT is a test that checks whether a vehicle meets the required roadworthiness and environmental standards at the time of testing.
For vehicles that require an MOT, it is important to check the current status before driving or buying a car.
Step 1: Open the MOT status service
Visit the official GOV.UK MOT status checker.
Step 2: Enter the registration number
Type the vehicle’s registration number into the service.
You do not normally need the V5C log book just to check the current MOT status.
Step 3: Check the MOT expiry date
The service shows whether the vehicle has an MOT and when the current MOT expires, where applicable.
If the MOT has expired, do not assume you can drive the vehicle normally. There are limited legal exceptions, such as driving to a pre-arranged MOT test, subject to the applicable conditions.
Official service: Check the MOT status of a vehicle.
How to Check a Car’s MOT History
Checking the current MOT status is useful, but looking at the vehicle’s previous MOT results can tell you more about its condition and history.
The official MOT history service can show:
- Previous MOT pass and fail results.
- Mileage recorded at previous tests.
- The date the next MOT is due.
- Defects or advisory items recorded at tests.
- Previous MOT certificate information, where available.
Steps to check MOT history
- Open the GOV.UK MOT history checker.
- Enter the vehicle’s registration number.
- Review the test dates and results.
- Compare the mileage readings across different tests.
- Look at recorded failures and advisories to identify issues worth investigating.
For cars, motorcycles and vans, the service generally includes test results from 2005 onwards in Great Britain. Different date ranges and arrangements apply to other vehicle types and Northern Ireland.
An MOT history is not a guarantee that a vehicle is mechanically sound today. Consider an independent inspection before buying a used car.
Can You Check Vehicle Tax and MOT at the Same Time?
Yes. You can use the government vehicle enquiry service to review several vehicle details, including tax status and MOT expiry information.
Visit Get vehicle information from DVLA and enter the registration number.
Depending on the information available, the service can show:
- Current vehicle tax status and expiry date.
- MOT expiry date.
- Vehicle make and model details.
- Date of first registration.
- Fuel type and engine information.
- SORN status.
- The date the last V5C log book was issued.
For a deeper review of previous test results, use the separate MOT history checker.
What Is the Difference Between Vehicle Tax and an MOT?
Vehicle tax and an MOT serve different purposes.
| Vehicle tax | MOT |
|---|---|
| Relates to the vehicle’s legal tax status. | Checks roadworthiness and relevant environmental standards. |
| Must be in place for road use unless a specific exemption applies. | Required for vehicles that are not exempt from MOT testing. |
| Can be checked through the DVLA vehicle enquiry service. | Can be checked through the DVSA MOT services. |
| Does not prove that a car is mechanically safe. | Does not prove that a car is currently taxed or insured. |
A car may have a valid MOT but no vehicle tax, or it may be taxed while its MOT has expired.
You should check both separately rather than assuming one status guarantees the other.
Can You Drive a Car Without Tax or an MOT?
You must make sure the vehicle meets the relevant legal requirements before using it on public roads.
Driving without vehicle tax
A vehicle generally needs to be taxed before it is used or kept on public roads, unless an exemption applies. If the vehicle has a SORN, it generally must remain off public roads.
Read the official GOV.UK vehicle tax guidance for details about taxing a vehicle and applicable exemptions.
Driving without a valid MOT
If a vehicle requires an MOT and its certificate has expired, you generally cannot drive it on public roads.
Limited exceptions apply, including travelling to a pre-arranged MOT test, provided the legal conditions are met. The vehicle must still be roadworthy.
Read the official GOV.UK MOT guidance.
Do not forget insurance
A tax check or MOT check does not confirm that the vehicle is insured. You must also ensure that valid motor insurance is in place before driving where required.
What If the Vehicle Tax or MOT Information Looks Wrong?
Sometimes a vehicle record may not immediately reflect a recent change.
For example, if you have just paid vehicle tax or declared a vehicle off the road, the DVLA says it can take up to two working days for the records to update after the application has been approved.
If a vehicle has recently passed an MOT, the MOT information may also take time to update.
If the information remains incorrect, check the details you entered and contact the relevant agency:
- For vehicle tax or registration information, use the DVLA contact service.
- For MOT information, use the official GOV.UK MOT services.
Keep relevant receipts, application confirmations or MOT paperwork if you need to explain a recent change.
How to Check a Car Before Buying It
If you are considering a used car, do more than check whether it is taxed and has an MOT.
Before paying, you should:
- Check the vehicle’s tax and MOT status.
- Review its MOT history and mileage readings.
- Confirm that the make, model and registration details match the vehicle.
- Ask to see the V5C log book and check the vehicle details against the DVLA records.
- Check for outstanding recalls using the official vehicle recall checker.
- Consider an independent mechanical inspection.
- Check the vehicle’s history for other potential problems, including outstanding finance or a recorded write-off.
A V5C identifies the registered keeper; it is not proof of legal ownership on its own. Do not rely on a single check when deciding whether to buy a car.
For more information about the vehicle registration document, read our guide to getting a replacement V5C log book.
How to Get Reminders When Your MOT Is Due
You can sign up for free MOT reminders by text or email through the official government service.
Visit GOV.UK MOT reminders and follow the instructions to register.
A reminder can help you plan ahead and avoid overlooking the MOT expiry date. However, you remain responsible for ensuring that the vehicle has a valid MOT when required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check if a car is taxed for free?
Yes. The official GOV.UK vehicle tax checker is free to use. You normally need only the vehicle’s registration number.
Can I check MOT status using a number plate?
Yes. You can use the number plate to check a vehicle’s current MOT status and review its available MOT history through official government services.
Can a car be taxed without an MOT?
Some vehicles can be taxed without a current MOT because they are exempt or fall within specific circumstances. For vehicles that require an MOT, the relevant requirements must be met. Check the official guidance for your vehicle.
Can I drive a car with an expired MOT to a garage?
You may be allowed to drive to a pre-arranged MOT test, subject to the legal conditions. The vehicle must still be roadworthy. You should not use this exception for ordinary journeys.
Does a valid MOT mean a car is insured?
No. An MOT does not prove that a vehicle is insured. Insurance must be checked separately.
How quickly does vehicle tax information update online?
The DVLA says it can take up to two working days for records to update after a vehicle tax or SORN application has been approved.
Can I check who owns a car from its number plate?
The public vehicle enquiry service does not provide the registered keeper’s personal details. You must follow the DVLA’s official process if you have a lawful reason to request keeper information.
Final Thoughts
Checking whether a car is taxed and has a valid MOT is straightforward when you use the official government services.
Start with the vehicle’s registration number, check its tax and MOT status, and review the MOT history if you are considering buying the car. Remember that these checks do not replace an insurance check or a physical inspection.
For reliable information, use the official GOV.UK vehicle tax checker, MOT status checker and MOT history service.
Official source: GOV.UK and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).