There is also a app you can download on android devices and possibly iPhones that shows a vehicles MOT history.

Be aware that some, including me, send their cars for MoT to workshops who are very particular because we want to know of any faults or potential issues as well as maintaing a car well - compared to those who carry out minimal maintenance and seek out more "flexible" Mot workshops!

It does make me smile, though, when I'm looking through the MOT history of a particularly car which has been advertised something like "Full service history and maintained regardless of cost" and see the same advisories coming up year after year! Bit of a giveaway, that!

Thanks for these posts - not for the first time I've had to revise my thoughts. I know I can be obsessive but realise that sometimes it can be misplaced.

I also appreciate the courtesy in how views have been expressed. It makes it so much easier to think about what is posted.

Barney, You dont need any ad laden, privacy invasive tracking app. As stated earlier its all on an official gov website link here

www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Edited by brum on 25/03/2017 at 20:49

Yes indeed --very useful--especially when browsing any car for sale on a website or via a dealer, I always go straight to the number plate--then key in the info for a proper MOT report. If the number plate is blinded out--I move on! I am also suspicious if the car is not taxed or has had tax gaps.

One aspect that does worry me more and more though--is the tendency of those tied to PCP contracts to have had only one service ( if that!) done over their 3 years of "ownership". It's quite possible to be blinded by a fuzzy long term service plan ( car to be serviced 25,000 miles or 15 months etc etc)-. As Honest John has preached more than a million times-service a car once a year--whatever themileage.

Nothing to do with PCP - it's probably true for almost all new cars, however funded - 20,000 miles or 2 years is there to suit the fleets but most private buyers planning to trade-in at 3 years follow that as well - in both cases they regard "lack" of maintenance as not a problem for them.

Those of us buying "keepers" generally adopt 10,000 miles or 1 year but these cars aren't sold on - so any used car is a potential money pit.

Well yes RT--i guess you're right there re the PCP's----so here's a question -if buying under 3 years old-how can i be sure that an "Approved Used" car has been properly maintained?...a friend had recently bought an 18 month old XXX with 19,000 miles on the clock that was sold with a "100 point pre-delivery check"( ha ha --pull the other one--!) and he was quite happy-tll i pointed out to him--via his service book that his lovely Approved Used had never had an oil change

You can't be SURE.

2 years ago, I sourced a first car for my daughter-in-law who had just passed her test - a year old Hyundai i30 registered to ERAC (Enterprise Rent A Car) - I saw it as it arrived at the dealers unprepared and unserviced but looked in good condition, just a couple of scratches on the plastic bumpers the dealer agreed to sort out as well as them servicing it - I took great trouble to ensure it was still covered by the full 5-year Hyundai warranty despite having been a rental car so any issues will be down to Hyundai - it's been absolutely trouble-free for the 2 years.

My view is that franchised dealers get first choice of nearly new cars of the same franchise - so a Hyundai at a Hyundai dealer, Ford at a Ford dealer, gives you a fighting chance - if a used car is being sold elsewhere you really do need your wits about you.