DVSA MOT API · Official Government Data · UK
DVSA MOT History API Integration.
MOT history lookups built directly into your platform — full test records, advisory notices, mileage history and expiry dates from the official DVSA database. Free API, fixed price build, you own the code.
Or describe what you need in one line — I’ll come back with a straight answer.
What it does
What the DVSA MOT History API provides.
The DVSA MOT History API is a free official government API that returns the full MOT test history for any UK vehicle by registration number. It is the same data source used by the DVSA’s own public MOT history checker — pass and fail results, test dates, odometer readings, failure reasons and advisory notices, direct from the DVSA database.
A custom integration embeds these lookups directly into your website or platform. Enter a registration number and get the full official MOT record back in real time — no manual checking, no third-party data service, no per-lookup fees.
The API uses OAuth 2.0 authentication via Microsoft Azure — a Bearer token plus an API key on every request. Token caching, refresh handling and secure credential storage are all part of the build.
Who it’s for
Who uses a DVSA MOT API integration.
Used car dealers and motor trade platforms
Every vehicle listing can show the full MOT history automatically — pass and fail records, advisory notices and mileage at each test. A buyer can see the complete official history without leaving your site. No manual DVSA checks, no screenshots, no outdated PDFs attached to listings.
Car-buying and part-exchange tools
When a customer enters their registration to get an instant valuation or part-exchange quote, the integration pulls the MOT history automatically. Advisories, recent failures and mileage discrepancies surface immediately — giving your team the information they need before making an offer.
Vehicle insurance platforms
MOT history and recorded mileage at each test is useful context for risk assessment at the point of quote. A vehicle with multiple recent advisories or a pattern of mileage inconsistencies is relevant data pulled automatically when a registration is entered.
Fleet and asset management systems
For businesses running vehicle fleets, MOT expiry monitoring is a compliance requirement. An integration can check expiry dates across the fleet on a schedule, flag upcoming MOTs and trigger maintenance workflows automatically.
Vehicle recyclers and salvage platforms
MOT history and mileage records are useful for valuing vehicles coming into a recycling or salvage operation. An integration that looks up the full history the moment a registration is entered saves time and surfaces data that affects the offer price.
Why custom
Why a plugin won’t cut it.
Generic vehicle data plugins rarely connect to the official DVSA API. Most use third-party data aggregators — a markup on every lookup, data that lags behind the DVSA database, and a dependency on a commercial provider who can change pricing at any point.
Direct from DVSA
Data straight from the official government database. Same source as the public MOT history checker. No aggregator in the middle, no lag, no markup.
Zero per-lookup cost
The DVSA API is free. Once the integration is built, every MOT lookup costs nothing — compared to commercial data services that charge per query.
OAuth handled correctly
The DVSA API uses Azure OAuth 2.0. Token acquisition, caching for the 60-minute window and automatic refresh are built in — not bolted on as an afterthought.
Built around your workflow
Which fields you display, what triggers a lookup, how results are stored or acted on — all built to your exact specification.
The deliverable
What’s included.
What I build
- Azure OAuth 2.0 authentication — token acquisition, caching and refresh
- API key and credential management, securely server-side
- Registration number MOT history lookup
- Full response parsing — passes, fails, advisories, mileage, dates
- MOT expiry date extraction and alerting logic
- Results display or database storage to your specification
- Error handling for no MOT history, invalid registrations, API unavailability
- Rate limit and retry handling
- Technical handover document
What’s not included
- DVSA API registration — you apply directly at documentation.history.mot.api.gov.uk (free)
- Vehicle data beyond MOT history — tax status, registered keeper, SORN (separate DVLA API)
- Northern Ireland — DVA-tested vehicles may have limited history
- Pre-2005 history — coverage is limited for vehicles tested before 2005
- Changes to your existing platform outside the integration scope
Pricing
Fixed-price builds. No hidden costs.
Every build is quoted at a fixed price based on scope. The DVSA MOT API is free to use — no ongoing per-lookup charges once the integration is live.
Standard Lookup
£895
~3–4 days
MOT history lookup and display built into your website or platform. Registration input, full history returned — test results, dates, mileage, advisories. Suitable for dealer listings, car-buying tools and any site needing a single lookup integration.
- OAuth 2.0 authentication with token caching
- Registration lookup endpoint
- Full history display — passes, fails, advisories, mileage
- MOT expiry date extraction
- Error handling for all edge cases
- Technical handover document
- Fleet monitoring or scheduling
- Database storage of results
Platform Integration
£1,495
~1 week
Full MOT history integration wired into your existing platform — lookup triggered by your workflow, results written to your database or CRM, display built to your design. For car-buying platforms, insurance tools and trade platforms with existing systems.
- Everything in Standard Lookup
- Results stored to your database or CRM
- Lookup triggered by your existing workflow
- Display built to match your platform design
- Mileage discrepancy flagging
- Advisory and failure pattern analysis
- Technical handover document
Fleet Monitoring
£2,295
~2 weeks
Scheduled MOT expiry monitoring across a vehicle fleet. Automated checks, configurable alert thresholds, notifications triggered before expiry. For fleet managers, leasing companies and asset management platforms.
- Everything in Platform Integration
- Scheduled fleet-wide MOT expiry checks
- Configurable alert thresholds (30/14/7 days)
- Email or webhook notifications on expiry
- Fleet dashboard showing upcoming MOTs
- Bulk registration import
- Technical handover document
Payment terms: 50% on agreement, balance on completion before handover. DVSA API credentials are free but require your own registration at documentation.history.mot.api.gov.uk.
See it in action
Try a live MOT History lookup.
Enter any UK vehicle registration and see the full official MOT history returned from the DVSA database — test results, advisories, mileage at each test and expiry date. Live data, no login required.
Try the live demo →Common questions
DVSA MOT API FAQ.
Is the DVSA MOT History API free?
Yes — the DVSA MOT History API is a free government API with no per-lookup charges. You register directly with DVSA at documentation.history.mot.api.gov.uk. The only cost is the development of the integration itself.
What authentication does the DVSA API use?
The current DVSA MOT API uses OAuth 2.0 via Microsoft Azure. You receive a client ID, client secret and tenant ID. These are used to obtain a Bearer access token, valid for 60 minutes. Every API request requires both the Bearer token and a separate X-API-Key header. The integration handles token acquisition, caching and refresh automatically.
What data does the MOT history API return?
For each MOT test on record: pass or fail result, test date, test station, odometer reading, failure reasons (for failed tests) and advisory notices. The vehicle record also includes make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size and date of first registration.
How long does DVSA API registration take?
Registration is at documentation.history.mot.api.gov.uk. DVSA typically processes applications within 1–5 working days. Credentials arrive by email including the client ID, client secret, tenant ID and API key.
What happens when the client secret expires?
DVSA client secrets expire every 2 years. The optional retainer covers this — monitoring for expiry and handling the rotation before it causes downtime.
Can I get tax status and keeper information as well?
Not from this API. DVSA provides MOT history only. Tax status, registered keeper details and SORN status come from the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service — a separate API that can be integrated alongside this one if needed. See the DVLA API integration service.
How long does the integration take to build?
Standard Lookup takes 3–4 days. Platform Integration takes approximately one week. Fleet Monitoring takes around two weeks. Timeline starts once DVSA credentials are in hand, scope is agreed and the deposit is paid.
This kind of MOT history lookup is often part of the custom websites I build for Blackburn businesses, and works best when backed by SEO services that bring motoring customers to the site in the first place.
Need DVSA MOT API integration built?
Describe your platform, what triggers the lookup and what you need to do with the results — I’ll come back with a straight answer on what’s involved and what it costs. Fixed price, no obligation.
