Use the free GOV.UK check vehicle tax and check MOT status services. Each needs only the registration number, and they return the tax due date and the MOT expiry date.
Last reviewed: June 2026
The two services you need
Checking tax and MOT status takes under a minute using two free official services. Vehicle tax and MOT status are held in separate official records, and GOV.UK provides a free online service for each. The check vehicle tax service confirms whether a vehicle is currently taxed and tells you when the tax is next due. The check MOT status service confirms whether the vehicle has a valid MOT and gives the date the current certificate expires. Together they answer the two everyday questions about whether a vehicle is legal to use on the road.
- The GOV.UK check vehicle tax service shows whether a vehicle is taxed and its tax due date.
- The GOV.UK check MOT status service shows whether a vehicle has a current MOT and when it expires.
- Both services are free to use and need only the vehicle's registration number.
- The MOT history service additionally shows past test results, including advisories and failures.
- Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000, and using an untaxed vehicle on the road is also an offence.
Both run from the official GOV.UK domain, both are free, and neither requires you to log in or own the vehicle. They draw on DVLA and DVSA data, so the results reflect the same records used for enforcement. That makes them reliable starting points whether you are checking your own vehicle or one you are thinking of buying.
A word of caution on where you check: only the official GOV.UK services should be relied on for status data. A number of third-party sites present similar-looking lookups, sometimes alongside adverts or paid extras, but the authoritative record sits with DVLA and DVSA and is surfaced for free on GOV.UK. Using the official pages avoids any charge and ensures the figures you see, the tax due date and the MOT expiry, come straight from the source rather than a copy that may lag behind.
What you need and what each check returns
The only piece of information required is the vehicle registration number, the number plate. You enter it, and for the tax check you confirm the make and sometimes other details so the service can match the right vehicle. The MOT status check works the same way from the registration number.
The tax service returns whether the vehicle is taxed or untaxed, the date the current tax expires, and whether it is declared off the road under a SORN. The MOT service returns whether the vehicle has a current MOT and the expiry date of that certificate, and it will indicate if no MOT is recorded. The separate MOT history service goes further, listing previous test results, mileage at each test, and any advisory notes or failure reasons recorded over the years.
Where to check tax and MOT online
The table sets out the main GOV.UK services and what each one is for.
| Service | What it shows | You need |
|---|---|---|
| Check vehicle tax | Taxed or not, tax due date, SORN status | Registration number |
| Check MOT status | Current MOT and expiry date | Registration number |
| Check MOT history | Past results, mileage, advisories | Registration number |
| Get an MOT reminder | Free email or text near the due date | Registration and contact details |
Why people check both
The most common reason is buying a used car. Before handing over money, a buyer can confirm the vehicle is taxed, see when the MOT runs out, and review the MOT history for a pattern of recurring faults or sudden mileage changes. A car with a long list of repeated advisories, or with mileage that does not climb in a steady line, gives a buyer questions to ask. The checks cost nothing and take seconds, so they are a standard part of due diligence.
Owners use the checks to stay on top of their own obligations and to set reminders. The free MOT reminder service sends an email or text near the due date, which helps avoid the gap that leads to a fine. People also use the tax check when reporting a vehicle they believe is untaxed, since the service confirms the status before any report is made. In each case the value is the same: an authoritative answer drawn from the official record.
The checks are also useful at moments of change in a vehicle's life. After buying a car, a new keeper can confirm the tax position before driving it, since tax does not transfer with a sale and must be arranged afresh. Before selling, an owner can verify the MOT expiry that a buyer is likely to ask about. And anyone returning a stored vehicle to use can check both records to see exactly what needs renewing. In every one of these situations the registration number is all that is needed to get a clear answer in seconds.
How the tax and MOT records relate
Tax and MOT are separate requirements, but they are linked at the point of taxing a vehicle. For most vehicles of testable age, you cannot tax the car unless a valid MOT is recorded, because the taxing system checks the MOT database first. That is why an expired MOT can block a tax renewal, and why the two records are best thought of as connected rather than independent.
The checks reflect this relationship. A vehicle showing as taxed will normally also have a valid MOT behind it, because the tax could not have been issued otherwise, though there are limited exceptions for vehicles that are exempt from testing. Checking both gives the full picture: the tax check tells you the vehicle is paid up and not under SORN, and the MOT check tells you the roadworthiness certificate is current. Reading them side by side is the quickest way to judge whether a vehicle is fully legal to be on the road.
Because the data comes from DVLA and DVSA, the results are kept current as records update after a test or a tax transaction. A pass logged at a testing station appears on the MOT status and history services shortly afterwards, and a tax payment updates the tax check in the same way. That currency is what makes the GOV.UK services more dependable than relying on a paper document that may be out of date.
Reading the two records together can also reveal mismatches worth investigating. A vehicle showing as taxed but with an MOT expiring very soon is a prompt to book a test before the certificate lapses, because the tax renewal that follows will depend on a valid MOT being in place. A vehicle showing as untaxed with no SORN on record may be one that should not be on the road at all. In each case the checks turn a vague worry into a concrete, dated fact, which is exactly what makes them useful before buying, before driving, or before reporting a vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a car is taxed and has an MOT?
Use the GOV.UK check vehicle tax service for the tax status and the check MOT status service for the MOT. Each needs only the registration number. The tax service shows whether the car is taxed and when tax is due, while the MOT service shows whether there is a current certificate and its expiry date.
Is the tax and MOT check free?
Yes. The check vehicle tax, check MOT status and check MOT history services on GOV.UK are all free to use. There is no charge and no need to create an account, and the free MOT reminder service is also available to alert you near the due date.
What do I need to check a vehicle's tax and MOT?
You only need the vehicle registration number. For the tax check you may also confirm the make to match the right vehicle. No ownership details, log book or personal account are required to view tax or MOT status.
Can I check any car's MOT and tax status?
Yes. The services are open and do not require you to be the owner, so you can check any vehicle from its registration number. This is what makes them useful before buying a used car or when checking whether a vehicle is untaxed.
What happens if a car is untaxed or has no MOT?
Using an untaxed vehicle on a public road is an offence and can lead to penalties, and a vehicle off the road must be declared under SORN. Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000. The checks let you confirm status before driving or before reporting a vehicle.
