Index
What the MOT is and why it is important to check it
How to check the MOT by number plate for free with the DGT
Full DGT report: what it includes and how much it costs
Check the MOT from the miDGT app
Why a dealership must check the MOT of every car
Other ways to check MOT status
Frequently asked questions
What the MOT is and why it is important to check it
A car arrives at your dealership. The owner tells you that it has passed its MOT and everything is in order. You look at the windscreen sticker and it seems to match. But when you go to process the change of ownership, it turns out that the MOT expired two months ago. The transfer cannot be completed, the customer you had already closed a deal with gets impatient and you lose time and credibility.
This situation happens more often than it seems. According to the Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the MOT (AECA-ITV), around 4 out of 10 drivers drive with an expired MOT. For a dealership, checking the MOT before any operation is not an optional procedure: it is a basic protection measure.
The Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV / MOT in Spain) is a compulsory check-up regulated by Royal Decree 920/2017. Its purpose is to verify that vehicles in circulation meet minimum safety, emissions and technical condition standards.
The inspection frequency for private passenger cars:
Age of the vehicle | MOT frequency |
|---|---|
Less than 4 years | Not required |
From 4 to 10 years | Every 2 years |
More than 10 years | Every year |
The inspection can be brought forward up to 30 days before the expiry date without this changing the calendar for the next review.
For a professional dealer, knowing the MOT status of every vehicle entering or leaving stock is important for several reasons: it affects the ability to transfer the car, insurance coverage and the trust of the final buyer. To understand all the specific MOT obligations that apply to dealerships, you can consult the article on MOT obligations for stock cars in dealerships.
How to check the MOT by number plate for free with the DGT
The most direct way to check if a car has a valid MOT is through the reduced vehicle report on the DGT electronic headquarters. This report is free and available to anyone, whether they own the vehicle or not.
Step by step:
Access the DGT electronic headquarters (sede.dgt.gob.es), "Vehicle report" section
Select the reduced report option
Enter the vehicle's registration plate (or VIN number)
Check the result
You do not need a digital certificate or Cl@ve for this report. Just the number plate.
What the reduced report includes:
The reduced report tells you if the vehicle has any issues that prevent its transfer or circulation. It also shows the date of first registration in Spain and if there is any pending manufacturer recall notice.
What it does not include is full detail: you will not see the exact dates of previous inspections, the specific result of each MOT or the recorded mileage. For that, you need the full report.
For a quick initial filter (for example, before travelling to see a car you have been offered), the reduced report is more than enough. It allows you to rule out vehicles with administrative problems before investing more time.
Full DGT report: what it includes and how much it costs
If you need detailed information about a vehicle's MOT history, the full report is the right option. It costs 8.67 euros (fee 4.1) and requires identification via digital certificate, electronic DNI or Cl@ve credentials.
What the full report includes:
Identification of the owner, municipality of registration, full history of MOT inspections (dates and results), recorded mileage at each inspection, number of previous owners, administrative charges, technical details of the vehicle, EuroNCAP score and, when available, maintenance information from the DGT's electronic Workshop Book.
Channels to request it:
You can request the full report through the DGT electronic headquarters (with a digital certificate or Cl@ve), by phone calling 060, or from the miDGT app.
For a dealership that buys and sells several cars a month, the full report is worth it for every operation. For 8.67 euros you get the MOT history, the official mileage and the vehicle's charge status. To understand how to complement this report with CARFAX and when to use each, you can review the guide on CARFAX and DGT when buying cars.
Check the MOT from the miDGT app
The miDGT application, available for iOS and Android, allows you to consult the details of vehicles registered in your name. Within the "My Vehicles" section you can see the MOT expiry date, the mileage recorded at the last inspection and insurance details.
It is a handy tool to monitor the status of cars you already have in stock and are transferred in the company's name. With a quick glance from your phone you can check if any vehicle has an MOT about to expire before a sale is closed.
Important limitation: miDGT only shows details for vehicles in your name. If you want to check the MOT of a car you have not bought yet, you need to use the reduced or full report from the electronic headquarters.
You can also download a copy of the vehicle's electronic MOT card from miDGT. It is not valid for driving, but serves as a quick reference.
Why a dealership must check the MOT of every car
Checking the MOT is not just a formality. It has direct consequences on your daily operations and on the risk of each deal.
The MOT conditions the transfer of ownership. The DGT links the validity of the new registration certificate to the vehicle having a valid MOT. If the car has an expired inspection, you will not be able to complete the name change. This means delivery delays, additional costs and a negative experience for the buyer. To see how this procedure fits into the complete documentation for each sale, you can consult the guide on mandatory documentation in every buying and selling transaction.
Driving or having a stock car without a valid MOT carries a risk of a fine. The penalty for driving with an expired MOT is 200 euros (reducible to 50% for prompt payment within 20 days). If the MOT is failed, the fine rises to 500 euros and the vehicle is impounded.
Insurance may not cover damage. If a vehicle in your stock suffers an accident without having a valid MOT, the insurance company can refuse to cover first-party damage and even claim third-party costs from the owner.
Verifying the MOT when buying avoids surprises. When you buy a car from a private individual, at an auction or from another professional, checking the MOT allows you to confirm that the transfer can be done without problems, detect if the car has had recent unfavorable results, and validate that the mileage recorded in the MOT is consistent with what the seller tells you. To see how to integrate this verification into the complete inspection process before each purchase, you can consult the guide on what to check before buying a car for resale.
From Dealcar you can request DGT reports directly from the file of each vehicle in your stock, without leaving the platform. The report is linked to the car and accessible from your phone.
Other ways to check MOT status
In addition to the official DGT channels, there are other ways to verify a vehicle's MOT status.
MOT card or logbook (ficha técnica). If you have access to the car's physical documentation, the MOT card lists the dates of past inspections and the date of the next check. The windshield sticker is only a guide and the electronic logbook is the official reference.
To understand when it is advisable to temporarily de-register a stock car and how it affects the MOT, you can review the guide on temporary de-registration of a car with the DGT.
Private vehicle history services. Platforms like CARFAX or CarVertical collect data from various sources and can offer complementary information on the car's history. They are especially useful for imported vehicles or those with complex histories.
MOT test stations. Some stations allow you to verify the validity of an inspection if you provide the registration plate or VIN. This is not the most practical way for a dealership managing many vehicles, but it can be useful on specific occasions.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
From Dealcar you can request DGT and CARFAX reports with preferential rates, with no minimums or hidden costs, and link them directly to the file of each vehicle in your stock. Everything accessible from the app and ready to share with your customer.
If you want to see how it works, you can book a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check the MOT of a car that is not mine?
Yes. The reduced DGT report is free and available to anyone, not just the vehicle owner. You only need the number plate. You can also request the full report without being the owner, although you will need to identify yourself with a digital certificate, DNIe or Cl@ve and pay the corresponding fee.
How much does the full DGT vehicle report cost?
The full report costs 8.67 euros (fee 4.1). It includes MOT history, recorded mileage at each inspection, number of owners, administrative charges and technical vehicle details.
Can I sell a car with an expired MOT?
In practice, no. The DGT requires the vehicle to have a valid MOT to complete the change of ownership. If you sell a car with an expired MOT, the transfer will be blocked until the vehicle passes inspection.
How often do you have to pass the MOT on a passenger car?
The first inspection is at 4 years from first registration. From then on, every 2 years until the car is 10 years old. From 10 years onwards, the inspection is annual. It can be brought forward up to 30 days before the expiry date without losing days on the calendar.
What happens if a car gets an unfavorable MOT result?
With an unfavorable result, the vehicle can only be driven to be taken to the garage where the detected faults will be repaired. The owner has a maximum of two months to remedy the issues. Driving with an unfavorable MOT for any other purpose is penalized with 200 euros.
Index
What the MOT is and why it is important to check it
How to check the MOT by number plate for free with the DGT
Full DGT report: what it includes and how much it costs
Check the MOT from the miDGT app
Why a dealership must check the MOT of every car
Other ways to check MOT status
Frequently asked questions
What the MOT is and why it is important to check it
A car arrives at your dealership. The owner tells you that it has passed its MOT and everything is in order. You look at the windscreen sticker and it seems to match. But when you go to process the change of ownership, it turns out that the MOT expired two months ago. The transfer cannot be completed, the customer you had already closed a deal with gets impatient and you lose time and credibility.
This situation happens more often than it seems. According to the Spanish Association of Collaborating Entities of the Administration in the MOT (AECA-ITV), around 4 out of 10 drivers drive with an expired MOT. For a dealership, checking the MOT before any operation is not an optional procedure: it is a basic protection measure.
The Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV / MOT in Spain) is a compulsory check-up regulated by Royal Decree 920/2017. Its purpose is to verify that vehicles in circulation meet minimum safety, emissions and technical condition standards.
The inspection frequency for private passenger cars:
Age of the vehicle | MOT frequency |
|---|---|
Less than 4 years | Not required |
From 4 to 10 years | Every 2 years |
More than 10 years | Every year |
The inspection can be brought forward up to 30 days before the expiry date without this changing the calendar for the next review.
For a professional dealer, knowing the MOT status of every vehicle entering or leaving stock is important for several reasons: it affects the ability to transfer the car, insurance coverage and the trust of the final buyer. To understand all the specific MOT obligations that apply to dealerships, you can consult the article on MOT obligations for stock cars in dealerships.
How to check the MOT by number plate for free with the DGT
The most direct way to check if a car has a valid MOT is through the reduced vehicle report on the DGT electronic headquarters. This report is free and available to anyone, whether they own the vehicle or not.
Step by step:
Access the DGT electronic headquarters (sede.dgt.gob.es), "Vehicle report" section
Select the reduced report option
Enter the vehicle's registration plate (or VIN number)
Check the result
You do not need a digital certificate or Cl@ve for this report. Just the number plate.
What the reduced report includes:
The reduced report tells you if the vehicle has any issues that prevent its transfer or circulation. It also shows the date of first registration in Spain and if there is any pending manufacturer recall notice.
What it does not include is full detail: you will not see the exact dates of previous inspections, the specific result of each MOT or the recorded mileage. For that, you need the full report.
For a quick initial filter (for example, before travelling to see a car you have been offered), the reduced report is more than enough. It allows you to rule out vehicles with administrative problems before investing more time.
Full DGT report: what it includes and how much it costs
If you need detailed information about a vehicle's MOT history, the full report is the right option. It costs 8.67 euros (fee 4.1) and requires identification via digital certificate, electronic DNI or Cl@ve credentials.
What the full report includes:
Identification of the owner, municipality of registration, full history of MOT inspections (dates and results), recorded mileage at each inspection, number of previous owners, administrative charges, technical details of the vehicle, EuroNCAP score and, when available, maintenance information from the DGT's electronic Workshop Book.
Channels to request it:
You can request the full report through the DGT electronic headquarters (with a digital certificate or Cl@ve), by phone calling 060, or from the miDGT app.
For a dealership that buys and sells several cars a month, the full report is worth it for every operation. For 8.67 euros you get the MOT history, the official mileage and the vehicle's charge status. To understand how to complement this report with CARFAX and when to use each, you can review the guide on CARFAX and DGT when buying cars.
Check the MOT from the miDGT app
The miDGT application, available for iOS and Android, allows you to consult the details of vehicles registered in your name. Within the "My Vehicles" section you can see the MOT expiry date, the mileage recorded at the last inspection and insurance details.
It is a handy tool to monitor the status of cars you already have in stock and are transferred in the company's name. With a quick glance from your phone you can check if any vehicle has an MOT about to expire before a sale is closed.
Important limitation: miDGT only shows details for vehicles in your name. If you want to check the MOT of a car you have not bought yet, you need to use the reduced or full report from the electronic headquarters.
You can also download a copy of the vehicle's electronic MOT card from miDGT. It is not valid for driving, but serves as a quick reference.
Why a dealership must check the MOT of every car
Checking the MOT is not just a formality. It has direct consequences on your daily operations and on the risk of each deal.
The MOT conditions the transfer of ownership. The DGT links the validity of the new registration certificate to the vehicle having a valid MOT. If the car has an expired inspection, you will not be able to complete the name change. This means delivery delays, additional costs and a negative experience for the buyer. To see how this procedure fits into the complete documentation for each sale, you can consult the guide on mandatory documentation in every buying and selling transaction.
Driving or having a stock car without a valid MOT carries a risk of a fine. The penalty for driving with an expired MOT is 200 euros (reducible to 50% for prompt payment within 20 days). If the MOT is failed, the fine rises to 500 euros and the vehicle is impounded.
Insurance may not cover damage. If a vehicle in your stock suffers an accident without having a valid MOT, the insurance company can refuse to cover first-party damage and even claim third-party costs from the owner.
Verifying the MOT when buying avoids surprises. When you buy a car from a private individual, at an auction or from another professional, checking the MOT allows you to confirm that the transfer can be done without problems, detect if the car has had recent unfavorable results, and validate that the mileage recorded in the MOT is consistent with what the seller tells you. To see how to integrate this verification into the complete inspection process before each purchase, you can consult the guide on what to check before buying a car for resale.
From Dealcar you can request DGT reports directly from the file of each vehicle in your stock, without leaving the platform. The report is linked to the car and accessible from your phone.
Other ways to check MOT status
In addition to the official DGT channels, there are other ways to verify a vehicle's MOT status.
MOT card or logbook (ficha técnica). If you have access to the car's physical documentation, the MOT card lists the dates of past inspections and the date of the next check. The windshield sticker is only a guide and the electronic logbook is the official reference.
To understand when it is advisable to temporarily de-register a stock car and how it affects the MOT, you can review the guide on temporary de-registration of a car with the DGT.
Private vehicle history services. Platforms like CARFAX or CarVertical collect data from various sources and can offer complementary information on the car's history. They are especially useful for imported vehicles or those with complex histories.
MOT test stations. Some stations allow you to verify the validity of an inspection if you provide the registration plate or VIN. This is not the most practical way for a dealership managing many vehicles, but it can be useful on specific occasions.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
From Dealcar you can request DGT and CARFAX reports with preferential rates, with no minimums or hidden costs, and link them directly to the file of each vehicle in your stock. Everything accessible from the app and ready to share with your customer.
If you want to see how it works, you can book a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check the MOT of a car that is not mine?
Yes. The reduced DGT report is free and available to anyone, not just the vehicle owner. You only need the number plate. You can also request the full report without being the owner, although you will need to identify yourself with a digital certificate, DNIe or Cl@ve and pay the corresponding fee.
How much does the full DGT vehicle report cost?
The full report costs 8.67 euros (fee 4.1). It includes MOT history, recorded mileage at each inspection, number of owners, administrative charges and technical vehicle details.
Can I sell a car with an expired MOT?
In practice, no. The DGT requires the vehicle to have a valid MOT to complete the change of ownership. If you sell a car with an expired MOT, the transfer will be blocked until the vehicle passes inspection.
How often do you have to pass the MOT on a passenger car?
The first inspection is at 4 years from first registration. From then on, every 2 years until the car is 10 years old. From 10 years onwards, the inspection is annual. It can be brought forward up to 30 days before the expiry date without losing days on the calendar.
What happens if a car gets an unfavorable MOT result?
With an unfavorable result, the vehicle can only be driven to be taken to the garage where the detected faults will be repaired. The owner has a maximum of two months to remedy the issues. Driving with an unfavorable MOT for any other purpose is penalized with 200 euros.
