Rated 4.9 / 5

Check a Licence Plate Instantly

Enter a licence plate number to get MOT status, tax info, mileage history, and more in seconds.
Vehicle check report on a phone for Ford Focus RS showing 'PASS' and no issues like finance, theft, or imports, with green ticks.
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What Is a Licence Plate Check?

A licence plate check lets you view key details about a car using its plate number. Use our free car licence plate checker to access MOT history, tax status, and mileage records. Want to see finance, write-off or theft data? Upgrade to a full vehicle history check.

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Check Car Plates

Enter a plate to see the vehicle’s make, model, fuel type, CO2 rating, and more.

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MOT & Tax Lookup

Check if the vehicle has valid MOT and tax before you buy.

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Unlock Full History (Optional)

Upgrade to see if the car is financed, written off, or reported stolen.

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Mileage & Ownership Data

See how many owners the car had and check for mileage tampering.

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How Do I Check a Licence Plate?

Enter a car’s licence plate number into our tool to instantly view MOT history, mileage, road tax, and more — all for free.

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Find the Licence Plate

Look at the plate on the vehicle or find it on the logbook (V5C document).

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Enter the Plate Number

Type the number into our car check licence plate tool and click 'Check'.

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Get Instant Results

We’ll instantly return the car’s MOT status, mileage, tax status and more.

Stories From People Just Like You

Revealed the car was still on finance. Without Car Owl I would have been stuck paying off someone else's loan. Highly recommend

Good site and very helpful. I found what I needed and will recommend the site to my friends and colleagues.

Professional & faultless service. Does exactly what it says on the tin. Would definitely recommend anyone to use Car Owl services!

Very good very quick and on the ball report

Motorcycle vin with only 7 characters was causing issues with background checks and correct registration. This was the only company that provided the correct information. Recommended

Got all the information on my car. for a good price

I used this to find the registration for a project car that I bought with no documentation so I could send off a v62… old vin so most places couldn’t help. But this came straight back with all of the relevant information 👌

Stopped be buying a potential stolen vehicle. So well worth the cost of getting it checked

First rate (indeed- unbelievable- instant) response to emails. Brilliant Customer Service- RATE for this day and era. Their Customer Service demonstrates that Big Firms CAN have a personal relationship with their Inquirers. Brilliant Customer Service. Simply outstanding. Ad multos annos to all at Car Owl.

Really worth paying for this detailed background check. Gave me sufficient information to make a better informed decision and after the checks were done we decided not to buy the vehicle. Money well spent!

Really pleased with the app. Actually found some information that I have been trying to find for a while.

Very good service

Good found out what I needed

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Licence Plate Check FAQs

Looking to check a car by licence plate? Here’s everything you need to know about running a quick and accurate plate check in the UK.

How do I check a licence plate number?

Just enter the licence plate into our online tool. You’ll instantly see MOT history, mileage records, road tax status, and more.

Black car parked in a driveway with an MOT logo overlay
Black car parked in a driveway with an MOT logo overlay

Can I check car plates for free?

Yes. Our free licence check plate service gives you access to key details at no cost. Upgrade if you want to see theft or finance records.

Is this a DVLA licence plate check?

Yes, we use data from DVLA, MOT history, and other official UK sources. It’s fast, free, and reliable.

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Why Use a Car Licence Plate Checker?

Checking a licence plate before buying helps you avoid problems like unpaid finance, mileage fraud, or stolen vehicles. Always run a licence plate check for peace of mind.

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Avoid Stolen Vehicles

Upgrade to find out if the licence plate is linked to a stolen vehicle.

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Check for Finance

Make sure the car isn’t under finance or lease agreements.

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Spot Previous Damage

A full check will show write-offs, total losses, and repair history.

Free Licence Plate Check UK

Fast, Free & Accurate Lookup

Check a car licence plate online and get MOT, mileage, tax, ULEZ, and vehicle specs in seconds. Use our free tool to check licence plate numbers anytime.

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Search by Licence Plate

Run a car check by licence plate and get instant data pulled from trusted UK sources.

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Free Unlimited Checks

You can check as many licence plates as you need — our free tool never limits basic lookups.

Check a Licence Plate Now

Use our licence plate checker to instantly see MOT, mileage, tax, and car details. No signup needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Licence Plate Checks

How do I check a licence plate?

Simply enter the licence plate number into our online checker. You'll instantly see MOT status, tax details, mileage records, and more.

Is this a license plate check with DVLA data?

Yes. We use trusted sources like the DVLA and MOT databases to give you accurate, real-time vehicle data based on the licence plate.

Can I check car plates for free?

Yes. You can check car plates at no cost with our free tool. See MOT dates, tax status, mileage, and key vehicle specs instantly.

What details can I get from a licence plate check?

A licence plate check gives you info like MOT history, mileage records, tax expiry, fuel type, engine size, and more. Upgrade for finance and theft data.

Can I check a car license plate from the US?

This tool is built for UK-registered vehicles. If you're in the UK, just enter a valid plate. For US plates, results may be limited.

Is this tool safe to use?

Yes. We don’t store your search history or licence plate data. It’s a secure and trusted tool used by thousands across the UK.

Can I run a licence plate check on any vehicle?

Yes. You can check any UK-registered vehicle — cars, vans, motorcycles — as long as the licence plate is valid and current.

Why should I check a car by licence plate before buying?

It helps you avoid hidden problems like expired MOT, missing tax, mileage fraud, or even a stolen car. It’s a must before buying used.

What is a licence check plate?

It means using the vehicle's registration number (licence plate) to pull key information from official records. Our tool makes this simple and fast.

Can I check multiple licence plates for free?

Yes. You can run as many free checks as you like to compare vehicles. Just enter each plate number one at a time.