Free Motorbike Check UK
Check any motorcycle for outstanding finance, stolen status, write-offs and accident history.
The basics
What is a Motorbike Check?
A motorbike check (also known as a motorcycle HPI check) reveals the hidden history of any two-wheeled vehicle. From outstanding finance and theft records to insurance write-offs and mileage discrepancies, our comprehensive check searches multiple databases to protect you. Start with a free basic check for MOT and tax data, then upgrade for a full motorcycle history report including finance and theft markers.
Outstanding Finance
Check if the motorbike has unpaid HP or PCP finance. If so, the lender can legally repossess it from you.
Stolen Bike Database
Motorcycles are 4x more likely to be stolen than cars. We search police databases for theft markers.
Insurance Write-Offs
Find out if the bike was written off by insurers. Cat A, B, S, and N markers all affect value and safety.
VIN Verification
Verify the VIN matches official records. Stolen bikes often have altered or cloned VIN plates.
Inside the report
What a bike check pulls together
Same official records, same checks, applied to motorcycles. The mileage panel is open first, because recorded readings are the quickest sanity test a bike can be put through.
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 Do I Check a Motorbike's History?
Checking a motorcycle's history with Car Owl takes just seconds. Start with a free basic check, then upgrade to search the DVLA, police databases, finance registers, and insurance records.
- Identity Verified
- MOT Valid
- Taxed
- Year
- 2019
- Colour
- Blue
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Engine
- 1,997 cc
Enter Registration or VIN
Type the bike's registration number or VIN into our search tool. VIN checks are useful for imports.
View Free Basic Check
Instantly see MOT history, tax status, and vehicle specs, completely free for initial research.
Unlock Full History
Upgrade to reveal finance status, stolen markers, write-off history, and comprehensive bike data.
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Warning signs
Motorcycle-Specific Risks to Check
Motorcycles face unique risks that make history checks essential. Understanding these helps you avoid costly mistakes when buying a used bike.
Why Are Motorcycles More Likely to Be Stolen?
Motorcycles are approximately 4 times more likely to be stolen than cars due to their portability and ease of concealment. Stolen bikes are often stripped for parts, re-registered with cloned identities, or exported abroad. Always run a motorbike check to verify the bike hasn't been reported stolen before purchasing.
What Are Category B and S Write-Offs for Bikes?
Insurance write-off categories apply to motorcycles just as they do to cars. Cat B means the bike is beyond repair and should be crushed, only parts can be salvaged. Cat S (structural) and Cat N (non-structural) bikes can be repaired, but Cat S indicates frame damage which is particularly serious on motorcycles.
How Do I Verify a Motorcycle's VIN?
The VIN on a motorcycle is typically stamped on the steering head (frame neck) and may also appear on the engine casing. Compare the physical VIN with official records using our check. Any discrepancy could indicate the bike is stolen or a 'ringer' (a stolen bike given a new identity). Pay close attention to signs of tampering like ground-down stamps or fresh welding.
Why it matters
Why Check Before Buying a Motorcycle?
The used motorcycle market carries unique risks. Higher theft rates, easier identity cloning, and significant value drops from write-offs make a motorbike check essential before any purchase.
4x Higher Theft Risk
Motorcycles are stolen far more often than cars. Check the bike hasn't been reported stolen.
Frame Damage is Serious
Cat S write-offs on bikes mean frame damage, far more dangerous on two wheels than four.
Protect Your Investment
Bikes depreciate fast. Don't pay premium prices for a clocked, written-off, or finance-laden motorcycle.
At a glance
The Complete Motorcycle Check
Trusted, Instant, Essential
Car Owl's motorbike check is trusted by motorcycle buyers across the UK. Get instant access to comprehensive bike history data from official sources.
Instant Motorbike Results
Our motorcycle HPI check delivers comprehensive results in seconds. Know exactly what you're buying.
All Vehicle Types Covered
We check motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and all two-wheeled vehicles. Same thorough checks as cars.
Check Any Motorbike Today
Don't buy a stolen, financed, or written-off bike. Start with a free basic check, then upgrade for full history from £8.95.
Still unsure?
Frequently Asked Questions about Motorbike Checks
What is a motorcycle HPI check?
A motorcycle HPI check (or motorbike check) is a comprehensive history report that reveals outstanding finance, theft records, insurance write-offs, and mileage discrepancies. It's essential before buying any used motorcycle.
Are motorcycles more likely to be stolen?
Yes, motorcycles are approximately 4 times more likely to be stolen than cars. Their portability makes them attractive to thieves. Always run a stolen check before purchasing.
Can I check a motorcycle using the VIN?
Yes, you can search by either registration number or VIN. VIN checks are particularly useful for imported motorcycles or when verifying the registration hasn't been changed.
Where is the VIN on a motorcycle?
The VIN is typically stamped on the steering head (the frame neck where the forks attach). It may also appear on the engine casing. Check that both match and align with official records.
What does 'frame damage' mean for a motorcycle?
Frame damage (Cat S) on a motorcycle is particularly serious. The frame is the structural backbone of the bike. Damaged frames can compromise safety and handling, making the bike dangerous to ride.
Do mopeds and scooters show up in the check?
Yes, our motorbike check covers all two-wheeled vehicles including mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, and even some three-wheelers. Any UK registered vehicle can be checked.
How do I spot a cloned motorcycle?
Look for signs of VIN tampering like ground-down stamps, fresh welding, or repainted areas near the VIN. Compare the physical VIN with our check results. Any mismatch indicates potential cloning.
Is finance common on motorcycles?
Yes, HP and PCP finance is common on motorcycles, especially higher-value bikes. The same risks apply as with cars, if finance is outstanding, the lender can repossess the bike.
Should I check a bike from a dealer?
Absolutely. While reputable dealers should conduct their own checks, not all do so thoroughly. Some bikes pass through auctions or part-exchanges quickly. Always verify independently.
What's the most commonly stolen motorcycle?
Popular commuter bikes and high-value sports bikes are most commonly stolen. Honda, Yamaha, and BMW models frequently appear in theft statistics. Any desirable bike warrants a thorough check.