Delta file format

This section details the structure and format of the delta data file, including field definitions and data types.

Please note that certain fields in the delta file may be added, omitted, or become deprecated in future releases. Any modifications to the delta file format will be documented in this section.

An example record from the delta file:

{
  "registration": "SN97PLP",
  "firstUsedDate": "2003-03-27",
  "registrationDate": "1973-09-21",
  "manufactureDate": "2003-03-27",
  "primaryColour": "Beige",
  "engineSize": "1461",
  "model": "AVENGER",
  "make": "HILLMAN",
  "fuelType": "Petrol",
  "lastMotTestDate": "2017-03-10 12:21:09",
  "modification": "UPDATED",
  "motTests": [
   {
      "completedDate": "2016-06-21 11:26:02",
      "motTestNumber": 971577975522,
      "dataSource": "dvsa",
      "expiryDate": "2017-06-28",
      "regMarkTimeOfTest": "SE34BUW",  
      "testResult": "PASSED",
      "odometerValue": "42366",
      "odometerUnit": "MI",
      "odometerResultType": "READ",
      "defects": [
        {
          "dangerous": false,
          "text": "Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3mm (3.5.1g)",
          "type": "ADVISORY"
        },
        {
          "dangerous": false,
          "text": "Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened rust lipped on edges (3.5.1i)",
          "type": "ADVISORY"
        },
        {
          "dangerous": false,
          "text": "Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)",
          "type": "ADVISORY"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]

}

The fields are the same as those in the Bulk file format.

The type of change is described by the last_modification column. The possible values are:

Modification	Description	Example
CREATED	A new vehicle has been added	A new vehicle has been registered with the DVLA
UPDATED	Existing information has been modified or a new test has been recorded	An MOT test has been recorded against the vehicle
DELETED	The vehicle has been deleted, this is not expected to occur often	A vehicle was created in error and removed from the system