About How Rare Is My Car?

Why?

The site started in 2016, originally a simple search of vehicle licensing data.

Since then a couple of APIs have become available allowing me to use MOT history data and road tax data together.

As a result, this latest version, launched in September 2025, uses the most accurate data the site has ever had.

The current database is over 250GB in size and stores data on over 125 million cars & nearly a billion MOTs.

How?

The site uses road tax data from the DVLA and MOT data from the DVSA. The road tax data updates quarterly and the MOT data daily. Using both sets of data allows the site to be accurate for new cars (under 3 years old) and historic/classic cars (over 40 years old) that no longer require an annual MOT test.

Who?

I'm Chris, a freelance software developer from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. I love both cars and data so this site is very much a hobby.

I drive a 2006 Saab 9-3 and a 2002 Alfa Romeo Spider.

In my free-time I run a couple of YouTube channels (Camp Cook Explore & Bird Watching UK). I'm also the 2024 World Porridge Making Champion!

Feel free to get in touch with any comments or ideas for the site.