There is a general lack of publicity and education about the vehicle information that can be obtained pre-purchase and online.
Many people are satisfied to see a hard copy MoT certificate, the paper document, when they buy a vehicle, but this is no more than a receipt. VOSA confirming:
The MOT Test Certificate clearly states on the front that it is ‘a receipt-style certificate telling you that an MOT Test pass result has been recorded on the VOSA database of MOT test results’
It is also very easy to forge. An online enquiry is a must, because it will reveal not only the current MOT status, but also recorded mileage, historic failure notices and advisory notices.