Rated 4.9 'Excellent' on
Free Car History Check
Enter your registration or VIN to check car history instantly. See accidents, finance, owners, MOTs, and more.



What’s Included in a Car History Check?
Run a full UK car history check to avoid hidden issues such as outstanding finance, theft, write-offs, mileage discrepancies, and more. Our data sources include DVLA, Police National Computer, and trusted HPI checks.
Outstanding Finance
Discover if the car has unpaid finance. Avoid repossession risks.
Insurance Write-Offs
Check vehicle damage and accident history clearly categorised (A, B, S, N).
Stolen Vehicle Checks
Instantly verify if the car is stolen using Police National Computer data.
Mileage Discrepancies
Identify potential odometer fraud (clocking) for safer purchases.
Car Owl's Free vs Paid Check Comparison
Financial & Legal | Free | Basic | Full |
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Assurance | Free | Basic | Full |
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Maintenance | Free | Basic | Full |
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Ownership | Free | Basic | Full |
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Technical | Free | Basic | Full |
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How It Works

Step 1: Enter Registration Number or VIN
Start by entering the vehicle registration number or 17-digit VIN. This lets us instantly identify the car and retrieve accurate history data.

Step 2: Run the Car History Check
Click to run your instant car history check. We scan trusted sources like the DVLA, police records, finance databases, and insurance write-off data.

Step 3: Review Your Vehicle Report
In seconds, you’ll receive a full car history report. It shows outstanding finance, mileage issues, theft alerts, previous owners, MOT records, and more.
What Happens If You Don’t Check a Car’s History?
Skipping a car history check can lead to financial loss, legal trouble, or even buying an unsafe vehicle. Here's what you risk by not running a check before buying a used car.
Buy a Stolen Car
Without checking, you could unknowingly purchase a car listed as stolen on the Police National Computer. If discovered, the car will be seized and you'll lose your money.
Outstanding Finance
If there’s unpaid finance on the car, the finance company still legally owns it. You could lose both the car and the cash you paid.
Undisclosed Write-Offs
Some write-offs look fine on the surface but have hidden damage. Without a check, you might buy a car that’s unsafe or impossible to insure.
Clocked Mileage
Odometer fraud (known as clocking) is common in used car scams. If you don’t check, you could overpay for a car with more wear and tear than it shows.
Competitor Comparison Table
Financial | ![]() |
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Outstanding Finance Check |
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Unpaid Loan Check |
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Accident & Write-Off History |
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Insurance Write-Off Status |
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Stolen Car Check |
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Mileage Discrepancies |
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Scrapped Car Check |
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Imported/Exported |
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Clocked Mileage Alert |
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Cost of Ownership Calculator |
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Future Value Prediction |
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Assurance | ![]() |
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Provide Excellent Service |
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Clear & Actionable Insights |
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Compatible With Any Browser |
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Priority Support |
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24/7 Customer Assistance |
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Unlimited Free ULEZ Checks |
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Maintenance | ![]() |
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Mileage Verification Check |
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Full MOT History |
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MOT Red Flags |
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Fuel Cost Calculator |
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Vehicle Known Issues |
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Colour Change Detection |
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Recall Status Check |
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Manufacturer Recall Alert |
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Unlimited MOT History Checks |
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Current Estimated Mileage |
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Ownership | ![]() |
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Previous Keepers |
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Plate Changes |
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Logbook Check |
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Cheapest Fuel Finder |
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Ownership History |
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V5C Count |
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VIN Verification Tool |
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Technical | ![]() |
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Fuel Economy Insights |
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Running Costs |
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Road Tax Info |
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CO2 |
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Technical Specifications |
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Engine Details |
Why Car Owl Wins
Smarter data. Better tools. Lower cost.
Car Owl does more than match the checks offered by services like HPI, AA and RAC. We provide powerful tools, trusted data, and fast reports that help you make better car buying decisions.
More features for less
We include everything offered by HPI, plus extra tools like fuel cost tracking, known issue lookups, depreciation forecasts and a guided test drive checklist.
Instant and easy-to-read reports
You will receive a full car history report within seconds. It is clearly laid out, colour-coded and mobile-friendly so you can review it anywhere.
Get more than just a vehicle history check
Car Owl helps you look beyond the past and into the future. Use our extra tools and insights to buy with complete peace of mind.
Why Thousands Trust Car Owl
Car Owl is trusted across the UK by drivers, dealers and buyers who want accurate data and clear answers. We use verified sources and show everything in a way that is easy to understand and fast to access.

Verified official data
Our reports use real-time data from DVLA, police databases, finance lenders, and insurers. You are getting facts, not guesses.
Rated excellent by users
We are proud to be rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Real users say Car Owl saved them from buying risky cars.
Money-back guarantee
If we cannot find any records when there should be data, you will get your money back. No hassle, just fairness.
Tools That Go Beyond a Car History Check
Car Owl is more than just a vehicle history report. We offer interactive tools designed to help you make smarter, safer car buying decisions every step of the way.
Interactive Test Drive Checklist
Use our guided checklist during your test drive to spot hidden issues most buyers miss.
Fuel Cost Calculator
Estimate your monthly and yearly fuel spend based on your postcode, mileage, and car model.
Find Known Issues
Enter your car make/model to see common faults, typical repairs, and wear-and-tear risks based on real owner data.
Depreciation Forecast
See how your car is expected to lose value over time with interactive graphs based on real market data.
Your Smart Platform for Buying Used Cars
Everything you need, in one place
Car Owl gives you more than just a car history check. It is your all-in-one car buying platform, packed with tools to help you research, compare, and make the right decision with full confidence.
Know the true cost of ownership
Use our interactive cost calculator to see how much a car will cost over one, three or five years. Include tax, insurance, servicing, fuel and depreciation.
Find hidden problems before you buy
Use our known issues tool to discover common faults with any vehicle based on its make, model and year. Avoid cars with hidden history and costly surprises.
One platform. All your car buying answers.
Car Owl brings together trusted history reports, ownership cost tools, and expert insights so you can buy your next car with confidence and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run a free car history lookup?
Enter your number plate or VIN on our homepage to start a free car history lookup. You’ll instantly see basic vehicle details like engine size, fuel type, and model.
What’s the difference between a free check and a full car history report?
The free check gives you essential details. A full report uncovers outstanding finance, write-offs, stolen status, MOT history, mileage issues, and includes an official HPI check.
Can I check any UK vehicle by reg or VIN?
Yes. You can run a car history check on any UK-registered vehicle using its registration number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
What details are included in the full car history check?
Our full check reveals outstanding finance, write-off history, theft alerts, mileage discrepancies, colour changes, MOT history, previous owners, scrapped status, imports/exports and more.
Is this the same as an HPI check?
Our car history check includes an official HPI check alongside extra data from the DVLA, police records, and trusted third parties for a full vehicle history view.
How quickly do I get results?
You’ll get your report instantly. Once you’ve entered your details and chosen your plan, your full vehicle history report is available within seconds.
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If we fail to find any data when there should be history available, we’ll refund your report—no questions asked.
Why should I check a car’s history before buying?
A car that looks fine on the surface may hide serious issues like unpaid finance, write-offs or theft. A full history check gives you peace of mind and protects your money.