missing MOT records - how come?

[mightychipster]

Hi,

Looking to buy a 1st car for my daughter and spotted a used 2010 VW polo for sale.

I've checked the MOT records using the DVLA website and there is a gap of missing data from 2017 to 2021 (last record MOT 2016 and next recorded MOT 2022), I've conducted 2 x online vehicle checks from 2 diferent companies and there isn't anything being flagged i.e., not stolen, not scrapped, no plate change etc etc

What could be the reason for the missing records?

Should we walk away?

KR

MC

[geeks]

What was the mileage recorded in the gap? It’s entirely possible it was off the road for that period or at least some of it. Also possible that it was owned by someone who didn’t bother with an MOT

[Time4another]

Was it serviced during that gap? Perhaps been parked up. Did the seller own it durign that gap?

[cuprabob]

Could the car have been in Northern Ireland during that period?

To be honest, does it really matter for a 14 year old car? The most recent MOTs are the most important.

[mightychipster]

mileage looked like it only went up by 250 miles over the 6 year gap

[vaud]

As above - if it was in NI then it would t appear on the dvla systems.

[Nickp82]

cuprabob said:

Could the car have been in Northern Ireland during that period?

To be honest, does it really matter for a 14 year old car? The most recent MOTs are the most important.

This and this

[mightychipster]

Time4another said:

Was it serviced during that gap? Perhaps been parked up. Did the seller own it durign that gap?

I will check if it was serviced during that gap period, great advice. Thanks.

[mightychipster]

vaud said:

As above - if it was in NI then it would t appear on the dvla systems.

Ah, thanks, Would the data also not appear on the 2 websites I paid for extensive checks?

[vaud]

I don’t know, have a look on NI govt web sites to see if you can look up a vehicle there (I have a funny feeling it is all paper based)

[mightychipster]

Nickp82 said:

cuprabob said:

Could the car have been in Northern Ireland during that period?

To be honest, does it really matter for a 14 year old car? The most recent MOTs are the most important.

This and this

Well, if it was off the road due to some kind of incident (accident), bought by someone and then put back on the road?

[mightychipster]

just going through the ownership records and it seems the car was put back on the road in Jan 22 (1st MOT since 2016) then passed to a new owner in the March 22. So, has someone fixed it and then flipped it?

[Nickp82]

mightychipster said:

Well, if it was off the road due to some kind of incident (accident), bought by someone and then put back on the road?

It’s a possibility but why would it take four years to do so? People who buy accident damaged cars want them back on the road asap.

For me, the most important thing is the car as it presents today, service and MOT history is handy but not all that important.

I get that when buying for your daughter you’ll be extra cautious though.

[mightychipster]

Nickp82 said:

mightychipster said:

Well, if it was off the road due to some kind of incident (accident), bought by someone and then put back on the road?

It’s a possibility but why would it take four years to do so? People who buy accident damaged cars want them back on the road asap.

For me, the most important thing is the car as it presents today, service and MOT history is handy but not all that important.

I get that when buying for your daughter you’ll be extra cautious though.

Thanks Nick, I'll go into the viewing today with my eyes wide open.

[mightychipster]

All,

What do you recommend I look out for? What weak spots does a 2010 Polo have? Where to look for crash damage (front crash bar, inside wings, rear compartment etc

Thanks

Edited by mightychipster on Friday 31st January 08:36

[andburg]

mightychipster said:

mileage looked like it only went up by 250 miles over the 6 year gap

250 miles in 6 years? likelihood is it got parked for 6 years and declared SORN

if it was then sold at the end of the 6 years perhaps the owner had ill health and gave up driving or died.

Edited by andburg on Friday 31st January 08:38

[Red9zero]

mightychipster said:

mileage looked like it only went up by 250 miles over the 6 year gap

A neighbour of ours has a car she rarely uses, so is often without tax or MoT for a few years at a time. Her partner is also rather lax in taxing and MoT`ing his cars. No idea how these people don't get caught, but it does go on.

[MDMA .]

If you have any reservations, walk away. It is a very common car and lots to choose from. Gut feeling and all that.

[blue_haddock]

andburg said:

mightychipster said:

mileage looked like it only went up by 250 miles over the 6 year gap

250 miles in 6 years? likelihood is it got parked for 6 years and declared SORN

if it was then sold at the end of the 6 years perhaps the owner had ill health and gave up driving or died.

Edited by andburg on Friday 31st January 08:38

This all day long.

Its been owned by an old Doris who used it once a week to do a trip to the local Co-op, she then had to stop driving due to cataracts and the car was then MOT'd after she died and sold on.

As long as the recent history is ok it will be fine.

[Crudeoink]

mightychipster said:

All,

What do you recommend I look out for? What weak spots does a 2010 Polo have? Where to look for crash damage (front crash bar, inside wings, rear compartment etc

Thanks

Edited by mightychipster on Friday 31st January 08:36

Id just look for panel gaps matching either side and paint shade / colour matching all round.
I doubt its been crashed, as mentioned before if someone bought it crashed to repair they likely wouldnt take years to do it, especially a Polo.... A classic Ferarri or Porsche maybe but not a mass produced vehicle.
If its potentially been sat for years (id say more likely than crash damage) id be looking at the age of the tyres, if its had a service recently to replace the fluids and how old the cambelt / aux belts are