DVLA and DVSA in MoT mix up

It’s now easier for owners to check if a classic car has MoT and tax on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online databases.

The Vehicle Enquiry Service (VES) has been updated so that owners will no longer have to input the make of the vehicle to look up records – just the registration number. This is set to help out classic car enthusiasts, because many cars are incorrectly registered.

Other changes include an additional confirmation step in the online process of displaying partial vehicle details to help users check that they are accessing the correct record.

However, at the time of writing the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)’s website – check-mot.service. gov.uk – does not have the new format.

The DVLA’s media relations officer, David Whitbread, says: ‘Our website has been updated to the new format, however, the website where people can check the MoT history of the car is run by the DVSA, and not the DVLA. It has not been updated.’

CCW has contacted the DVSA and is awaiting a response.

The FBHVC’s recommendation to those making new applications for registrations, particularly in respect of older overseas vehicles unlikely to have relevant codes, is to not complete the ‘model’ portion of the V55/5.