How our data works
Where every number on a PlateWise report comes from, how fresh it is, and what it can't tell you.
Our sources
Every vehicle report combines two official government services. We query both at the same time, and if one is unavailable we still show what the other returns, with a clear notice.
| Information | Source |
|---|---|
| MOT results, defects, advisories, expiry dates | DVSA MOT History API |
| Odometer readings | DVSA MOT History API (recorded at each test) |
| Tax status and due date | DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service |
| Make, colour, engine size, CO₂, Euro status | DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service |
| ULEZ result | Calculated by PlateWise from DVLA data |
| Mileage alerts, recurring issues, pass rate | Calculated by PlateWise from DVSA data |
PlateWise is independent and is not affiliated with DVSA or the DVLA.
How fresh is the data?
When you check a vehicle we request the latest records from DVSA and the DVLA. To keep the service fast and stay within the agencies' usage limits, we keep a successful response for up to six hours before requesting it again. A test completed this morning may therefore take a few hours to appear. Errors are never cached, so a temporary outage won't stick.
How we calculate our insights
MOT status and countdown
We take the expiry date from the most recent MOT pass and count the days to it. Within 30 days we mark it as expiring soon. For vehicles under three years old, we show when the first MOT is due instead.
Mileage alerts
We convert every odometer reading to miles, ignore tests where the odometer couldn't be read, and flag any reading lower than the one before it. A flag means “ask a question”, not “this car is clocked”, because typing errors and replaced dashboards cause drops too. See the mileage check for more.
Recurring issues
We group advisories and minor defects by keyword into tyres, brakes, suspension, lights, corrosion and exhaust. An issue is “recurring” when it appears at two or more separate MOT visits. A fail and its retest a few days later count as one visit.
ULEZ estimate
If the DVLA holds a Euro status, we compare it with the ULEZ standard: Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel. If not, we estimate from fuel type and first registration date and label the result “Estimate”. Transport for London makes the final decision. Read more on the ULEZ check page.
Known limitations
- Digital MOT records start in 2005. Earlier tests aren't available.
- Vehicles registered in Northern Ireland may have incomplete MOT history.
- Government data doesn't include outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, theft or keeper history.
- We show records as supplied. If a record is wrong, it must be corrected by DVSA or the DVLA.
Privacy
You don't need an account to use PlateWise, and we don't link the registrations you check to you. Individual report pages are excluded from search engines. Full details are in our privacy policy.