23/06/2025
Buying a First Car: Lessons from the MOT History
Earlier this month, my partners son passed his driving test — first time!
Proud moment — as you can see from the smile!
Next step: finding him his first car. We came across a tidy 2014 Ford Fiesta — clean, high mileage, two previous owners. Looked good in the photos and seemed fairly priced.
I ran a vehicle check using Motorscan.co.uk — £9.99 well spent.
✅ Not stolen
✅ Not scrapped
✅ DVLA clear
✅ No write-off history
But then came the MOT history…
⚠️ The same advisories — worn tires, brake pad limits — were flagged for multiple years. Nothing had been done. If it's ignored once, it’s a warning. If it’s ignored for years, it’s a red flag.
It’s surprising that MOT testers don’t always follow up on previous advisories, especially when the data is publicly stored via DVSA.
A recent RAC report said 1 in 6 drivers ignore MOT advisories — and many go on to break down or crash. This Fiesta could easily have added to that stat.
We walked away from the deal — and potentially from a future headache.
Motorscan.CO.UK ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — I’d highly recommend their service.
Lesson learned: Always read beyond the “MOT: Pass” and check the history. That’s where the truth often lives.
