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Free Car History Check

Enter your registration or VIN to check car history instantly. See accidents, finance, owners, MOTs, 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.
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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
Outstanding Finance

Discover if the car has unpaid finance. Avoid repossession risks.

Write-Offs & Accidents
Insurance Write-Offs

Check vehicle damage and accident history clearly categorised (A, B, S, N).

Stolen Vehicle Status
Stolen Vehicle Checks

Instantly verify if the car is stolen using Police National Computer data.

Mileage Rollback
Mileage Discrepancies

Identify potential odometer fraud (clocking) for safer purchases.

Car Owl's Free vs Paid Check Comparison

Financial & Legal Free Basic Full

Finance Agreement Details

Check if the vehicle has outstanding finance that could put your money at risk.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Mileage Discrepancies

Check for signs of mileage tampering to ensure the reading is accurate and trustworthy.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Unpaid Loans

Find out if the car has any unpaid loans that could affect your ownership.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Write-off Details

Find out if the vehicle was written off by insurance companies, which could impact its safety and long-term value.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Stolen Vehicle Check

Check if the vehicle has been reported stolen in police databases.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Check for Major Issues

Find out if the vehicle has had serious accidents or flood damage that could affect its safety. Protect yourself from unexpected risks.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Has Outstanding Finance

See whether there is any outstanding finance linked to your vehicle before you purchase it.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Common Vehicle Issues

Get a breakdown of the vehicle's common mechanical issues with their estimated costs and typical mileage.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Imported Check

Check if it was imported, as this may affect its registration and use.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Scrapped Check

Check if the vehicle has been scrapped to ensure it is legal and ready to drive.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included
Assurance Free Basic Full

Money-Back Guarantee

If you check a vehicle with Car Owl and we can’t generate a report, you’re fully covered by our Money-Back Guarantee. No hassle. No risk.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Priority Support

Have questions or need help. Our dedicated support team is ready to assist you at every step with quick and efficient solutions.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Easy-to-use Platform

Our platform is designed for UK drivers, with a quick and easy process to get the information you need in just a few clicks. Our reports are clear and simple, helping you make confident choices every time.

Free: Included Basic: Included Full: Included
Maintenance Free Basic Full

Fuel Cost Calculator

Calculate the yearly fuel cost of the vehicle with our handy tool.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Colour Change Detection

Discover if the vehicle’s color has been changed. This could reveal past accidents or repairs.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Recall Status Check

Check if there are any outstanding recalls for this vehicle.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Current Mileage

See the vehicles’s estimated current mileage.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Ownership History

View a complete history of previous owners, including the number of keepers, ownership duration, and any significant changes that might impact the vehicle’s value.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Full MOT History

See the vehicle’s complete MOT history, including past failures or warnings.

Free: Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Mileage Verification Check

Get a detailed breakdown of the vehicle’s mileage history, showing annual mileage records to detect any inconsistencies or signs of odometer tampering.

Free: Included Basic: Included Full: Included
Ownership Free Basic Full

Cost of Ownership Calculator

See how much the vehicle might cost on, depreciation, maintenance, repairs, insurance, MOT and tax.

Free: Not Included Basic: Not Included Full: Included

Previous Keepers

See how many owners the vehicle has had and when the changes were made.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

V5C Count

V5C Count shows how many logbooks a vehicle has had. These prove ownership and list basic details.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Full Plate-change History

Check the vehicle’s plate history to see when changes occurred.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

VIN Verification Check

Verify the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to confirm the vehicle is authentic and has not been cloned.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Exported Status

Check if the vehicle has been exported, as this could impact its insurance eligibility.

Free: Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Depreciation Calculator

See how much the vehicle could be worth in the future with our tool.

Free: Included Basic: Included Full: Included
Technical Free Basic Full

Performance Stats

Get a full breakdown of the vehicle’s performance. From engine power to fuel efficiency, know exactly what you are driving.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Engine Details

The engine details section gives an overview of your vehicles engine. It explains key features so you can understand its performance.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Running Costs

See the true cost of owning the vehicle. Get details on fuel use, maintenance, and insurance in one easy summary.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included

Road Tax

Find out the road tax rate for this vehicle based on its emissions and category.

Free: Not Included Basic: Included Full: Included
Easy as 1-2-3

How It Works

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Icon
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 RAC AA HPI
Outstanding Finance Check
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Unpaid Loan Check
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Accident & Write-Off History
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Insurance Write-Off Status
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Stolen Car Check
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Mileage Discrepancies
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Scrapped Car Check
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Imported/Exported
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Clocked Mileage Alert
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Cost of Ownership Calculator
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Future Value Prediction
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Assurance RAC AA HPI Check
Provide Excellent Service
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Clear & Actionable Insights
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Compatible With Any Browser
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Priority Support
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
24/7 Customer Assistance
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Unlimited Free ULEZ Checks
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Maintenance RAC AA HPI Check
Mileage Verification Check
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Full MOT History
Check Icon Check Icon Cross Icon Check Icon
MOT Red Flags
Check Icon Check Icon Cross Icon Check Icon
Fuel Cost Calculator
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Vehicle Known Issues
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Colour Change Detection
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Recall Status Check
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Manufacturer Recall Alert
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Unlimited MOT History Checks
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Current Estimated Mileage
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Ownership RAC AA HPI Check
Previous Keepers
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Plate Changes
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Logbook Check
Check Icon Cross Icon Check Icon Cross Icon
Cheapest Fuel Finder
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Ownership History
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
V5C Count
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
VIN Verification Tool
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Technical RAC AA HPI Check
Fuel Economy Insights
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Running Costs
Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon Check Icon
Road Tax Info
Check Icon Check Icon Cross Icon Check Icon
CO2
Check Icon Check Icon Cross Icon Check Icon
Technical Specifications
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon
Engine Details
Check Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon Cross Icon

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Trusted car check platform
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Verified official data

Our reports use real-time data from DVLA, police databases, finance lenders, and insurers. You are getting facts, not guesses.

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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.

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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.

Test Drive Checklist Icon
Interactive Test Drive Checklist

Use our guided checklist during your test drive to spot hidden issues most buyers miss.

Fuel Cost Calculator Icon
Fuel Cost Calculator

Estimate your monthly and yearly fuel spend based on your postcode, mileage, and car model.

Known Issues Finder Icon
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 Icon
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

FULL HISTORY CHECK

Instant Vehicle History Checker

Get a comprehensive 90+ point check and uncover the full story behind any vehicle.