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Check a Car by Number Plate

Enter a reg plate to instantly find a vehicle’s MOT, tax, mileage, and more.

Vehicle check report on a phone for Ford Focus RS showing 'PASS' and no issues like finance, theft, or imports, with green ticks.

What Is a Number Plate Check?

A number plate check lets you look up a vehicle's details using just its registration plate. Use our free reg plate checker to view MOT records, road tax status, mileage, and more. To unlock accident history, finance checks, and stolen alerts, upgrade to our full vehicle history check.

Vehicle Reg Plate Check

Enter a number plate to find details like make, model, engine size, emissions, and registration date.

Check MOT & Tax Instantly

Quickly confirm if a car is taxed and has a valid MOT certificate.

Get Full History (Optional)

Upgrade to view finance records, previous write-offs, and stolen vehicle reports.

Mileage and Ownership

Spot mileage fraud and see how many owners the vehicle has had.

Phone displaying car number plate check with MOT and tax status in green ticks

How Do I Look Up a Car by Number Plate?

Our tool makes it easy to find a car using a number plate. Just enter the reg and get instant access to key vehicle details.

Locate the Reg Plate

Use the number plate on the vehicle or check the logbook (V5C document).

Enter the Plate Number

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

See Instant Results

Get real-time access to MOT, tax, mileage, and ULEZ status in seconds.

Stories From People Just Like You

Dan W

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

David Andrews

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

Brad Burksfield

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

Brian McMahon

Very good very quick and on the ball report

Toast Of London

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

Andrew Stuart

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

Paul

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 👌

Gary Fletcher

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

Canon Bennie Noonan

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.

Mark Jackson

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!

Lee Wells

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

Kevin Dodd

Very good service

Richard Hamilton

Good found out what I needed

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Number Plate Check FAQs

Looking to find a vehicle by number plate? These questions explain how our reg plate checker works and what it can show you.

How can I check a car by number plate?

Use our free vehicle registration plate check to instantly see MOT history, tax status, mileage, and more. Just enter the reg and we’ll show you the results.

What does a car reg plate check show?

A number plate check shows MOT dates, mileage history, tax status, and key vehicle details like engine size, fuel type, and CO2 output.

Can I find a vehicle by number plate for free?

Yes, our reg plate checker is completely free for basic details. For in-depth info like finance, theft, or accident history, you can upgrade to a full check.

Cartoon owl sitting in a chair checking MOT status on a phone with 'MOT Valid' displayed

Why Run a Car Reg Plate Check?

Before buying a used car, always run a number plate check to avoid hidden issues. It helps you confirm vehicle details and spot any red flags before committing.

Flying owl scanning number plates for MOT, tax, and vehicle history

Avoid Buying Stolen Cars

Our car reg plate search will flag vehicles reported as stolen.

Check for Finance Agreements

Make sure the car isn’t still under finance with unpaid debt attached.

See Past Accidents

A full plate check reveals insurance write-offs and major damage history.

Free Vehicle Registration Plate Check

Fast, Free & Accurate

Search for a car by number plate and get MOT, tax, and key vehicle details instantly. It’s fast, reliable, and free to use.

Search by Number Plate

Find a vehicle by number plate and access real-time data with our car reg plate check tool.

Free Unlimited Plate Lookups

Run as many checks as you need — our reg plate checker is always free for basic information.

Start Your Free Number Plate Check

Enter a vehicle reg plate to see MOT history, mileage records, tax status, and more — all in seconds.

FAQs About Number Plate Checks

How do I check a car by number plate?

You can check a car by entering its number plate into our free lookup tool. You'll instantly see MOT status, mileage, tax details, and more.

Can I find a car using a number plate?

Yes, our tool allows you to find a vehicle by number plate. Just enter the reg to access official records pulled from trusted UK data sources.

Is this reg plate checker free to use?

Absolutely. You can check the plate number for free and view basic details like MOT history, tax status, and mileage. There's no signup required.

What details does a car reg plate check show?

A vehicle reg plate check shows MOT dates, mileage records, road tax status, CO2 emissions, fuel type, engine size, and more. It’s a fast way to learn about any car.

Can I search for a car by number plate in the UK?

Yes, our tool is designed for UK vehicles. You can search for a car by number plate and get instant results based on DVLA and MOT data.

How accurate is your number plate checker?

We use official UK government sources like DVLA and MOT databases, so the data is up-to-date, reliable, and accurate.

Can I use this tool to check the car register?

Yes. Our tool checks the car register and lets you view key details using just the registration plate. It’s ideal for buyers and sellers alike.

What does 'vehicle registration plate check' mean?

It means using the reg number to look up a vehicle’s public records. You can see its condition, history, and legality — all in one place.

Is it possible to look up a stolen vehicle by number plate?

Yes. With a full history check upgrade, you can see if the car has been reported stolen, written off, or involved in fraud.

Can I run a car reg plate search on any type of vehicle?

Yes. You can search for any UK-registered car, van, or motorcycle — as long as it has a valid registration plate.