BHP Check by Reg
Enter your registration or VIN to check brake horsepower, engine specs, and performance figures.
The basics
What is a BHP Check?
A BHP check reveals a vehicle's brake horsepower and engine specifications using just the registration number. Our Basic Vehicle Report includes BHP, torque, engine size, and full technical specifications. BHP data is also included in our Full Vehicle History Report.
Brake Horsepower (BHP)
Find your car's official BHP figure, the power output measured at the engine before drivetrain losses.
Torque Figures
Check the engine's torque output in Nm, essential for understanding acceleration and towing capability.
Engine Specifications
View engine size in litres, cylinder configuration, and fuel type for complete engine details.
Performance & Economy
See how BHP relates to the vehicle's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions ratings.
Inside the report
What a mileage check actually shows you
Power figures come with the technical data in the full report. These are the panels sitting alongside them, and the finance one is open first.
Is the vehicle still on finance?
If a lender still has an interest in the vehicle, they can repossess it from your driveway. The seller keeps your money.
- Searched against
- The UK finance register
- Agreement types
- PCP, HP, lease, unit stocking
- Report shows
- Agreement type, date and status
- Recorded by
- The lender, not the seller
Source: UK Finance Register
Has it been written off?
Insurers record a category when a vehicle is damaged badly enough to be uneconomical to repair. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can legally return to the road.
- Searched against
- MIAFTR, the insurance loss register
- Categories covered
- A, B, C, D, S and N
- Report shows
- Category, and the date of loss
- Also covered
- Salvage and total-loss records
Source: MIAFTR
Does the mileage add up?
Every MOT reading is on record. A reading that goes down, or a jump that does not fit the pattern, is the clearest sign of a clocked vehicle.
- Readings used
- Every MOT reading on file
- Looking for
- Readings that fall, or jump
- Report shows
- The full run of readings, in order
- Also covered
- Average miles a year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is it recorded as stolen?
A car reported stolen and never recovered stays flagged on the Police National Computer. Buying one means losing the vehicle and the money.
- Searched against
- The Police National Computer
- Marker covers
- Vehicles reported and not recovered
- Report shows
- Whether a theft marker is held
- Also covered
- The vehicle's registration status
Source: Police National Computer
How many hands has it passed through?
Frequent keeper changes can mean a problem car being passed along. The V5C record shows every change of keeper since first registration.
- Source record
- The DVLA keeper record
- Report shows
- How many keepers it has had
- Dates given
- First registration and last change
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
Has it crossed a border?
An import can be fine, but it changes the history you should expect to find, and an exported marker on a vehicle still being sold here is a red flag.
- Markers checked
- Imported and exported
- Covers
- Vehicles first registered abroad
- Report shows
- Which marker is held, and when
- Also covered
- Whether UK history starts late
Source: DVLA
Has it been scrapped?
A certificate of destruction means the vehicle should not exist on the road. Vehicles with cloned plates borrow the identity of scrapped vehicles.
- Markers checked
- Scrapped, and destroyed
- Covers
- Certificates of destruction
- Report shows
- Whether the record was closed, and when
- Also covered
- Whether the VIN matches the record
Source: DVLA
Has the plate been changed?
Plate changes are legal and common, but they are also how a past identity gets buried. The full history lists every registration the vehicle has worn.
- Source record
- The DVLA registration record
- Report shows
- Every plate the vehicle has worn
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- Personalised plates added and removed
Source: DVLA
What does the MOT record say?
Every test, pass, failure and advisory since the vehicle's third year. Advisories are the useful part: they are a mechanic telling you what was already wearing out.
- Tests listed
- Every test on record
- Report shows
- Result, date and mileage for each
- Also covered
- Advisories and reasons for failure
- Goes back to
- The vehicle's third year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is there an outstanding safety recall?
Manufacturers issue recalls when a fault could be dangerous. The work is free, but it only happens if somebody books it in, and a recall can sit unactioned for years.
- Searched against
- The DVSA recalls database
- Report shows
- Recalls affecting this vehicle
- Also covered
- Recall history for the model
- Cost to put right
- Free, at a franchised dealer
Source: DVSA recalls database
Has it been resprayed?
A recorded colour change can be a personal choice. It can also be how accident repairs or a previous identity stop being obvious at a glance.
- Source record
- The DVLA vehicle record
- Report shows
- Every recorded colour change
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- The colour at first registration
Source: DVLA
Does the vehicle match its paperwork?
The VIN on the vehicle should match the one on the record. When it does not, you are looking at a cloned or altered identity, and everything else in the history belongs to a different car.
- Compared
- The VIN against the DVLA record
- Report shows
- Whether plate, VIN and record agree
- Catches
- Cloned and altered identities
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
What will it cost to tax?
The rate depends on emissions and registration date, and the difference between bands is large enough to change which vehicle you should buy.
- Source record
- The DVLA tax record
- Report shows
- Tax status, and the date it runs out
- Rate given
- The annual rate for this vehicle
- Based on
- Emissions and registration date
Source: DVLA
What is actually under the bonnet?
Engine size, power, fuel type and economy, taken from the manufacturer record rather than the advert. Useful for checking a listing describes the vehicle it is actually selling.
- Taken from
- The manufacturer record
- Report shows
- Engine size, power and fuel type
- Also covered
- Economy, emissions and gearbox
- Useful for
- Checking the advert is accurate
Source: Manufacturer data
What will it cost to keep?
Fuel, servicing, insurance group and tax in one place, so the monthly cost of owning the vehicle is visible before you commit to it rather than after.
- Report shows
- Fuel, tax, insurance and servicing
- Fuel worked out from
- The vehicle's own economy figures
- Adjustable
- By the mileage you actually drive
- Also covered
- Typical service and MOT costs
Source: Car Owl running-cost model
What will it be worth later?
What the vehicle is worth now and what it is likely to be worth in three years. Depreciation is usually the largest single cost of owning a vehicle, and the easiest one to ignore.
- Report shows
- What the vehicle is worth today
- Ranges given
- Private sale and trade
- Projected to
- Three years ahead
- Based on
- Age, mileage and market data
Source: Car Owl valuation model
What has happened to this vehicle?
Keeper changes, MOT tests, mileage readings and plate changes on one timeline. Patterns that are invisible in a list of dates tend to be obvious once they are in order.
- Events shown
- Keepers, MOTs, mileage and plates
- Ordered by
- Date, from first registration
- Also covered
- Stretches with no record at all
- Drawn from
- DVLA and DVSA records
Source: DVLA and DVSA records
What should you check in person?
A checklist built around this specific car, including what its own MOT advisories say to look at. It turns a viewing into something you can work through rather than guess at.
- Built from
- This car's own MOT advisories
- Also built from
- Known faults for the model
- Report shows
- What to check, in viewing order
- Includes
- Questions to ask the seller
Source: Car Owl
Also in every full report: VIC marker · Unpaid loan records · Common faults and typical repair costs · Fuel cost calculator · Priority support · Money-back promise
Step by step
How to Check BHP by Registration Number
Knowing your car's BHP is essential for insurance quotes, performance comparisons, and understanding your vehicle's capabilities. Our vehicle reports include detailed horsepower figures and engine specifications.
- Engine Data Found
- 148 bhp
- MOT Valid
- Year
- 2019
- Colour
- Blue
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Engine
- 1,997 cc
Enter Reg or VIN
Type your vehicle's registration number or VIN into our checker tool above to start.
Get Your Report
Our Basic or Full vehicle report includes BHP, torque, engine size, and complete specifications.
View Full Specs
Access complete engine specifications including cylinders, fuel type, and transmission details.
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Explained
Understanding BHP and Vehicle Performance
BHP (brake horsepower) is one of the most important specifications when evaluating a car's performance. Here's what you need to know about horsepower figures and how they affect your vehicle.
What Does BHP Actually Mean?
BHP stands for Brake Horsepower, a measurement of an engine's power output before any losses from the gearbox, alternator, or other components. It's called 'brake' horsepower because it was originally measured using a brake mechanism to apply resistance to the engine. The higher the BHP, the more powerful the engine. Most family cars have between 100-200 BHP, while performance cars can exceed 500 BHP.
What's the Difference Between BHP and PS?
BHP (Brake Horsepower) and PS (Pferdestärke, German for horsepower) measure the same thing but use different calculation methods. 1 BHP equals approximately 1.014 PS, so the numbers are nearly identical. UK manufacturers traditionally used BHP, while European brands often quote PS. Our vehicle reports show both figures for easy comparison.
How Does BHP Affect Insurance Premiums?
Insurance companies consider BHP when calculating premiums because higher-powered cars are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. A car with higher BHP typically costs more to insure, especially for younger drivers. Knowing your exact BHP figure helps you get accurate insurance quotes and compare vehicles in similar power brackets.
Why it matters
Why Check Your Car's BHP?
Whether you're buying a car, getting insurance, or comparing vehicle performance, a BHP check gives you accurate horsepower figures. Car Owl's vehicle reports use official data to give you reliable engine specifications.
Accurate Insurance Quotes
Insurance companies ask for BHP figures, know yours before you apply for the most accurate quotes.
Compare Vehicles
Comparing cars? BHP tells you which has more power for overtaking and motorway driving.
Understand Performance
Know what your car is capable of, higher BHP means better acceleration and top speed potential.
At a glance
Brake Horsepower Check
Find Your Car's Power, Official Data
Our vehicle reports reveal your car's horsepower, torque, and engine specifications using just the registration number. Perfect for insurance quotes, buying decisions, and performance comparisons.
Complete Engine Specs
Our BHP checker shows more than just horsepower. Get full engine specifications including capacity, cylinders, fuel type, and transmission configuration.
Official DVLA Data
All BHP figures come from official vehicle registration data. Our horsepower check delivers accurate, reliable specifications you can trust.
Check BHP by Reg Number
Need to know your car's brake horsepower? Our vehicle reports include BHP, torque, and full engine specifications from official records. Enter any registration above to get started.
Still unsure?
Frequently Asked Questions About BHP Checks
What is BHP?
BHP stands for Brake Horsepower, a measurement of an engine's power output. It indicates how much power the engine produces before any losses from the transmission and drivetrain.
How do I check my car's BHP?
Enter your registration number into our checker above. You'll get access to your vehicle's brake horsepower and engine specifications in our Basic or Full vehicle reports.
Is BHP included in the vehicle reports?
Yes, BHP and full engine specifications are included in both our Basic Vehicle Report and Full Vehicle History Report.
What's the difference between BHP and HP?
BHP (Brake Horsepower) is measured at the engine before drivetrain losses. HP (Horsepower) can refer to either brake horsepower or wheel horsepower, which is lower due to power lost through the transmission.
Why do insurance companies ask for BHP?
Insurance companies use BHP to assess risk. Higher-powered vehicles are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, so they typically cost more to insure.
How accurate is the BHP check?
Our BHP figures come from official vehicle registration data. They represent the manufacturer's stated power output for your specific vehicle variant.
Can modified cars show different BHP?
Our reports show the standard manufacturer specification. If a car has been modified (remapped, tuned, or had engine upgrades), the actual BHP may be different from the registered figure.
What BHP is considered powerful?
For family cars, 100-150 BHP is typical. Cars with 200-300 BHP are considered sporty, while anything over 400 BHP is high-performance territory.
Does BHP affect fuel consumption?
Higher BHP engines can consume more fuel, especially when driven hard. However, modern efficient engines can produce good power while maintaining reasonable fuel economy.
Can I check BHP with a VIN number?
Yes, our tool works with both UK registration numbers and VIN numbers. Both provide access to engine specifications including BHP.
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