Used car and MOT guides

Plain-English help with buying a used car and understanding its MOT history. No jargon, no scare stories.

• How to spot a clocked car

  The mileage checks anyone can do before buying: MOT records, service history, wear and paperwork.

• What to check before buying a used car

  Paperwork, history checks, the test drive and your rights, in the order you’ll need them.

• What an MOT checks, and how to pass first time

  What the tester looks at, what isn’t covered, and the quick checks that stop easy fails.

• When is my MOT due?

  How to find your due date, when the first MOT is, testing early, and what happens if it runs out.

Common MOT advisories, explained

• Tyre close to the legal tread limit
• Brake pads wearing thin
• Brake discs worn or scored
• Brake pipes corroding
• Corrosion on the body or underbody
• Oil leak
• Wear in a suspension or steering joint
• Shock absorber starting to leak
• Suspension spring corroded or damaged
• Headlights pointing too high or low

All MOT advisories explained · MOT pass rates by make and model