Free reg check for any UK vehicle
Enter a registration for a free car reg check. See vehicle details, tax and MOT information, MOT history and recorded mileage. If you're buying, compare our paid vehicle checks for finance, insurance write-offs and stolen markers.
Free check. No card needed. Paid checks from £4.99; Full check £8.99.
The things sellers forget to mention
Outstanding finance
If a car still has finance on it, the lender can take it back, even from you. Find out before you pay.
Write-off category
See if an insurer ever declared it a write-off, which category, and when. It changes what the car is worth.
Mileage check
We plot every recorded reading. A drop from one reading to the next is a difference worth investigating.
Stolen vehicle check
Checked against police stolen vehicle records, so you don't end up buying, and losing, someone else's car.
MOT history
Every pass, fail and advisory, so you can spot the recurring problems a test drive won't show.
Plate changes
Previous registrations can help connect records from different plates. We list the plate changes on record.
Previous keepers
How many keepers are recorded, and the dates each one had it. A car that's changed hands often deserves questions.
Colour changes
A recorded colour change is worth checking against the car and its paperwork.
Valuation
An estimated price range for the car, so you can judge whether the asking price stacks up.
What's in the report
Each section tells you what was found and what it means for you. Some details depend on the check you choose and on the records available for the car.
Vehicle identity
Make, model, colour, engine size and year from the DVLA record.
Tax & MOT status
Its recorded tax and MOT status, and when each is due.
Emissions
CO₂ figures and the Euro emissions standard, where recorded.
ULEZ & clean air
An estimate of whether the car meets low-emission zone rules, based on its fuel type and Euro standard.
Export, import & scrapped
The DVLA export marker, plus whether the car is recorded as imported or scrapped.
V5C logbook
The latest V5C issue date, so you can compare it with the logbook in your hand.
Safety recalls
Outstanding manufacturer recalls, where recorded.
VIN check
See the last 4 characters of the VIN on record, then type in the VIN from the car to check it matches.
£10,000 data guarantee
Cover if the finance, write-off or stolen data in your Full check turns out to be wrong. Provided by Experian, subject to their terms.
PDF & shareable link
Save or print the report, send it to anyone with one link, and find it again in My Account.
How our reg check works
- 01
Enter the reg
Type the number plate from the advert or the car itself. No account needed to start.
- 02
Get the free check
See vehicle details, tax and MOT status, MOT history and recorded mileage right away.
- 03
Choose a paid check if you need one
The Standard check adds write-off, salvage, keepers, a VIN check and more. The Full check adds finance, stolen and valuation checks and the £10,000 data guarantee. Reports open straight away and a link is emailed to you.
Vehicle check prices
Full check
Most popularEverything in the Standard check, plus outstanding finance, log book loan and high risk checks, a valuation and the £10,000 data guarantee.
Get Full checkStandard check
Everything in the free check, plus write-off and damage history, salvage, advanced mileage, previous keepers, plate and colour changes, recalls and a VIN check.
Get Standard checkCar buying questions, answered
Plain-English guides to the things that trip buyers up.
What is a reg check?
A reg check, or registration check, looks up the records linked to a vehicle's number plate. Every car on UK roads is registered with the DVLA, and every MOT is logged by the DVSA, so a registration is all you need to see what the official records say about a car. You don't need the logbook, the owner's permission or an account.
Our free car reg check shows the vehicle details (make, model, colour and engine), its tax and MOT status, available MOT results, generally from 2005 onwards, and the mileage recorded at each test, with any drop between tests flagged. For most people, that's the first thing to do when a car catches their eye.
What does a vehicle check show?
The free part covers what's held by the government. A full vehicle check goes further and adds the records held by finance companies, insurers and the police, which are the ones that protect your money:
- Outstanding finance, including PCP, hire purchase and log book loans.
- Insurance write-offs and their category: A, B, S or N.
- Stolen and high risk markers.
- Salvage auction history, with the damage recorded.
- An advanced mileage check, previous keepers and number plate changes.
- A valuation, so you know if the price is fair.
You can see exactly how it's laid out on our sample report. Digital service history and the factory specification are a separate check: see our service history check.
Free reg check or full vehicle check?
Start free. It shows whether the car matches the advert, its recorded tax and MOT status, and whether the recorded mileage looks consistent, and it rules out a lot of cars before you waste a trip. If you're serious about buying, the Standard check (£4.99) adds write-off, salvage, keeper and plate records and a VIN check. The Full check (£8.99) adds finance, log book loan and stolen checks, a valuation and the £10,000 data guarantee. A car can look perfect and still have thousands of pounds of finance owed on it.
Who uses a reg check?
- Used car buyers, checking a car before viewing it and again before paying.
- Sellers, who want to know what a buyer will see and have the answers ready.
- Owners, checking when their own MOT or tax is due.
- Dealers and traders, checking stock before they buy it. See our trade checks.
New to buying a used car? Our used car checklist takes you through everything from the advert to driving away.
Reg check questions
How much does a vehicle check cost?
The reg check is free. The Standard check, with write-off, salvage, keeper and plate records and a VIN check, is £4.99. The Full check adds finance, log book loan and stolen checks, a valuation and the data guarantee for £8.99. You pay once for each report, with no subscription.
What does a full vehicle check include?
Outstanding finance, log book loans, insurance write-offs, stolen and high risk markers, salvage history, an advanced mileage check, previous keepers, plate changes, a VIN check, an ex-taxi check, a valuation and the £10,000 data guarantee, plus everything in the free check.
Can I find out who owns a car from its reg?
No. Keeper names and addresses are protected by the DVLA. A reg check shows the records held about the car itself, which is what you need when you are buying.
Where does the information come from?
The free check uses DVLA and DVSA records. The paid checks add data from Experian, including finance, insurance and police records.
How quickly do I get the results?
In seconds. The free check appears straight away, and paid reports open on screen as soon as you have paid, with a link emailed to you.
Is a car reg check free?
Yes. Enter any UK registration and the car reg check shows vehicle details, tax and MOT status, MOT history and recorded mileage for free, with no sign-up or card needed. Finance, write-off and stolen checks are in the paid Full check (£8.99).
Found one you like? Check it first.
A few pounds now can save you thousands later.
Who we are
We're a UK vehicle check service built to help people buy used cars with confidence. Our checks combine official DVLA and DVSA records with Experian's finance, insurance and police data, so you can see a car's history before you hand over any money.
Data from the DVLA, DVSA and Experian. See our data sources.