A van MOT history check shows you the existing state of a vehicle, from its existing faults to potential ones, to keep you informed about the van’s condition. Our one-step service provides you with a free check of the MOT and mileage history, with the option to upgrade for a more comprehensive check, prior to any purchasing decisions.
If you choose to drive a van without an up-to-date MOT, you’ll be breaking the law and could be fined up to £2,500 if you get caught and/or a ban from driving entirely. It’s vital that you have your van checked to ensure it’s in compliance with the latest UK standards. Any van is required to have an annual MOT check after its first 3 years. You should check the MOT status of a used van before you buy, which you can do with our free MOT history report.
If you’re stopped by the police without a valid MOT, and your van is viewed as ‘unroadworthy’, it could cost you 3 points on your driving licence and a fine. Every van driving on UK roads is required to have a valid MOT certificate, so that you don’t put yourself or other road users at risk. If your van doesn’t have an MOT certificate, you’ll need to book it in asap.
MOT failures are classified as Dangerous Faults and Major Faults. A Dangerous Fault is a problem that has been identified in the van that means it’s too dangerous to be driven, and will need to be relocated by a tow truck. This might be missing wheel nuts, for example, or leaking hydraulic fluid. A Major Fault means the van is driveable, but it’s not recommended, and this may be a noisy exhaust, a failed catalytic converter or a similar issue. A van that’s failed its MOT will need to be repaired before it can be driven on public roads.
More than 15% of vans failed their MOT in 2020, with a mixture of minor, major and dangerous faults to blame. The main reasons were:
Annual MOT tests are needed for any van in the UK, if it’s over 3 years old from the date it was first registered. But if the vehicle is vintage, you don’t require an MOT, but you are responsible for keeping it in a safe, roadworthy condition.
If a van doesn’t have an MOT, first check its age – a van that’s less than 3 years old won’t be required to have an MOT. This means there won’t be MOT data associated with it.
You are required to get an MOT test on your vehicle every 12 months after it reaches 3 years old. You can use our free MOT history check to find out the MOT expiry date on your van using the registration number.
An MOT check ensures that the van you want to buy is safe, legal, roadworthy and doesn’t come with a range of problems that may be costly to repair. Checking the MOT history of a vehicle will show you what issues the van has had in the past.
It’s against the law to drive a vehicle in the UK without an MOT and it also invalidates your insurance. As a van driver, you’re responsible for ensuring your MOT status is kept up to date.