Free Car Reg Check
Enter your registration number to find your car’s history, specifications, export status, and more.
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What Is a Car Reg Check?
A reg check lets you check a vehicle number plate and instantly get key details about a car. Use our free registration plate checker to view MOT records, road tax status, mileage history, and more. For a full report with finance, write-off, and theft info, upgrade to our premium check.
Car Registration Plates Check
See details like make, model, fuel type, engine size and CO2 emissions using the reg.
Check MOT & Tax Status
Instantly check if the car is taxed and has a valid MOT certificate.
Upgrade for Full History
Unlock finance data, write-off checks, stolen status, and more with our complete reg check.
Mileage & Previous Owners
Avoid fraud by checking for mileage issues and past owners before buying.
Free, then full
Where the free check ends and the full report begins
The free check covers status and basic details. Every panel in this set comes with the full report, and the finance record is the one people wish they had run 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 · 100% money-back guarantee
Three steps
How Do I Check a Vehicle Number Plate?
It’s easy to check a reg plate with our free tool. Just enter the registration number and get all the key info in seconds.
First two letters
Local memory tag
The first letter is the region the vehicle was first registered in and the second narrows it to a DVLA office. It records where the plate was issued, not where the vehicle lives now, so it tells you nothing about the current owner.
The two digits
Age identifier
The two digits are the half-year the vehicle was first registered. March to August uses the year itself. September to February adds 50, which is why a 69 plate is a 2019 vehicle and not a 1969 one.
Last three letters
Random letters
Three letters chosen at random to make the registration unique. They carry no meaning at all, and combinations that could spell something offensive are withheld before the series is released.
Find the Number Plate
Use the number plate on the vehicle or V5C logbook.
Enter the Reg Plate
Type the reg into our free checker and click ‘Check Reg’.
Get Instant Results
View MOT status, tax details, mileage, and more in under 10 seconds.
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Inside the results
Common Questions About Reg Checks
Running a reg check helps you avoid scams and make smarter buying decisions. Here’s what our free registration plate checker can reveal.
What Can I See With a Reg Check?
A basic reg check shows MOT history, tax status, mileage, engine size, and more. For full reports with finance, insurance write-offs, and stolen status, upgrade to our premium check.
- Outstanding finance Finance found
- Stolen marker Clear
- Insurance write-off Clear
- Mileage anomalies None found
- Previous keepers 2 recorded
- MOT history 11 tests
Checked against DVLA, police and finance records.
Can I Check a Car Registration Plate for Free?
Yes. You can check car registration plates for free using our tool. Just enter the reg number to see important details before you buy.
Financial & legal 7 checks
- Outstanding finance & agreement details
- Stolen vehicle check (PNC)
- Insurance write-off category (Cat A, B, S, N)
- Salvage records (MIAFTR)
- Scrapped marker & certificate of destruction
- Imported / exported status
- Unpaid loan detection
Ownership & identity 6 checks
- Previous keepers & V5C count
- Full plate-change history
- VIN confirmation
- Colour change detection
- Vehicle history timeline
- First registration & keeper dates
Mileage & maintenance 5 checks
- Every recorded MOT mileage reading
- Mileage anomaly detection
- Full MOT history with advisories
- Recall status
- Service interval guidance
Running costs & technical 6 checks
- Road tax band & renewal cost
- Fuel cost calculator
- Performance & engine specification
- CO2 emissions & ULEZ status
- Cost of ownership calculator
- Depreciation outlook
Buyer tools 4 checks
- Test-drive checklist
- Known issues for this model
- Money-back guarantee
- Priority support
What If the Reg Check Shows a Problem?
If the check shows expired MOT, missing tax, or mileage issues, you should investigate further or avoid the vehicle. Use our full check to uncover deeper problems like outstanding finance or write-offs.
Category A: scrap only
The most severe category there is. The damage is bad enough that nothing may be reused, not even a wing mirror or a set of wheels. The whole vehicle has to be crushed, frame and all.
Category B: break for parts
The body shell or frame must be crushed, but usable parts can be stripped and sold on. The vehicle itself can never go back on the road, though its components legally can.
Category S: structural damage
Structural damage serious enough for the insurer to write the vehicle off, but which can be professionally repaired. Cat S vehicles are legal to repair, re-register and sell, and plenty are on the road right now.
Category N: non-structural damage
The least severe of the modern categories. The damage did not affect the chassis or frame, but repairing it cost more than the insurer thought the vehicle was worth. That can mean cosmetic damage on an older van, or electrical and safety component faults on anything.
Protect your money
Why Use a Reg Check Before Buying?
A reg check helps you avoid expensive problems like unpaid finance, mileage tampering, or stolen vehicles. Always check the car register before you buy.
- 2019 MOT: 12,800 miles
- 2020 MOT: 19,600 miles
- 2021 MOT: 24,500 miles
- 2022 MOT: 36,100 miles
- 2023 MOT: 45,400 miles
- 2024 MOT: 54,800 miles
- 2025 MOT: 33,900 miles, mileage discrepancy detected
- 2026 MOT: 41,200 miles
Avoid Buying a Stolen Car
Our reg check will alert you if the vehicle is reported stolen.
Check for Unpaid Finance
Make sure the car isn’t still owned by a lender with outstanding finance.
See Past Write-Offs
Check the register for accident damage, write-offs, and total losses.
Seconds, not days
Check a Vehicle Registration Plate Instantly
Free, Fast & Accurate Reg Checks
Check a car registration number plate online and get real-time details. See MOT, tax, mileage, ULEZ status, and more. It’s quick, free, and takes just seconds.
Instant Registration Checks
Use our reg check UK tool to instantly check a vehicle number plate and reveal its details.
Free & Unlimited Checks
Run as many reg checks as you like. Our tool is always free to use for basic information.
Still unsure?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a free car reg check show?
A free car reg check shows your vehicle’s registration status, number plate validity, ownership records, and other sourced data. It’s a quick way to verify everything is correct.
How do I use a reg check tool?
Just enter your car’s number plate. Our system instantly pulls records to verify registration, ownership, and other key data points.
Is the car reg check really free?
Yes. You can perform unlimited car reg checks at no cost. Use our free car check tool anytime to get accurate results.
What’s the difference between a reg check and a number plate check?
A reg check covers all vehicle registration info including number plate status, vehicle data records, and ownership history. A number plate check focuses mainly on verifying the plate and matching it to the vehicle.
What can a car reg lookup show me?
A car reg lookup shows official data including registration details, MOT history, tax status, and sometimes mileage. It’s useful for buying, selling, or just checking your own car.
Can I check someone else's car with this tool?
Yes. As long as you have the registration number, you can run a reg check to view publicly available information, ideal for buyers researching used vehicles.
Why should I check my car’s registration plate?
A registration plate check helps confirm your car’s identity, legal status, and registration history. It also detects potential fraud or cloned plates before it becomes an issue.
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