Outstanding finance
See whether a lender may still hold an interest in the vehicle and review available agreement details.
Car History Check
Check outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records, keeper history, number plate changes, MOT and mileage data before you buy.
From £5.99Complete history report
InstantOnline results
£10kEligible data guarantee
What is a car history check and why does it matter?
A car history check is an online vehicle report created from available government, finance, insurance and registration records linked to a UK number plate. It helps you look beyond the bodywork and assess whether a used car has hidden legal, financial or identity risks.
Running a check before you pay can reveal information that may affect ownership, safety and resale value. Any warning should be investigated with the seller and supported by the correct documents before you complete the purchase.
- Finance that may still be secured against the vehicle
- Insurance write-off or salvage records
- Stolen vehicle markers where available
- Mileage, keeper or registration inconsistencies
What does a car history check reveal?
A registration check brings together the important legal, financial and vehicle records you need to assess a used car.
Write-off and salvage
Check recorded total-loss categories, damage history and available salvage information.
Police stolen check
Identify whether the registration is associated with an available stolen vehicle marker.
Keeper history
Review available previous keeper counts and registration ownership changes.
Plate and identity changes
See number plate and colour changes, plus available import, export and scrapped markers.
MOT and mileage
Review MOT tests, advisories, failures and recorded mileage for signs that need investigation.
Free check or full car history report?
Start with free vehicle information, then unlock the checks that expose hidden financial and ownership risk.
| Check | Free check | Full report |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle identity and specifications | Included | Included |
| MOT history, advisories and failures | Included | Included |
| Recorded mileage information | Included | Included |
| Tax or SORN status where available | Included | Included |
| Outstanding finance | Not included | Included |
| Stolen and insurance write-off markers | Not included | Included |
| Keeper and number plate history | Not included | Included |
| Import, export and scrapped markers | Not included | Included |
How to check a car's history in three steps
No account or paperwork is needed to start. Use the UK registration number to identify the vehicle and review the available records.
Enter the registration
Type the UK number plate to identify the vehicle and match its recorded specifications.
Review the free check
Check the available MOT, mileage, tax and core vehicle information at no cost.
Unlock the full history
Review finance, theft, write-off, keeper, plate and other available risk markers before buying.
Insurance write-off categories explained
A write-off category describes the type and severity of recorded insurance damage. Always inspect a repaired vehicle and confirm the evidence before buying.
Category A
The vehicle must be crushed. No parts should return to the road.
Category B
The body shell must be crushed, although some usable parts may be recovered.
Category S
Structural damage was recorded. The vehicle may return to the road after suitable repair.
Category N
Non-structural damage was recorded, but safety-critical components may still require repair.
Older reports may show legacy Category C or D classifications used before October 2017.
Trusted UK vehicle data sources
Reports combine available government and commercial vehicle datasets. Coverage varies by vehicle and by the records supplied to each source.
DVLA vehicle information
Core registration, tax and vehicle specification information where available.
DVSA MOT records
MOT tests, recorded mileage, advisories and failure information.
Finance and insurance records
Available finance interests, total-loss categories and related risk markers.
Registration and vehicle history
Available keeper, plate, import, export, scrapped and salvage information.
Car History Check FAQs
What is a car history check?
A car history check is a vehicle report that combines available finance, stolen, write-off, keeper, plate, MOT and mileage information to help reveal risks before purchase.
What does a full car history report include?
The full report includes available outstanding finance, stolen and write-off markers, keeper and plate history, MOT records, mileage information and additional identity checks.
Can I check a car's history using its registration number?
Yes. Enter the UK registration number above to identify the vehicle and see the free and full report information available for it.
Why should I check for outstanding finance?
If finance remains on a vehicle, a lender may still have a legal interest in it. Confirm that any agreement is settled before buying.
What happens if the car is recorded as stolen?
Do not proceed with the purchase. Ask the seller for evidence, keep a record of the listing and contact the police for guidance.
How can a history check identify mileage discrepancies?
Recorded mileage readings can be compared across MOT tests and other available records. A reduction or unusual increase should be investigated with supporting service and MOT documents.
Does a car history check show previous keepers?
The full report can show available keeper counts and ownership changes. Personal keeper names and addresses are not displayed.
What should I do if the report does not match the vehicle?
Compare the report with the V5C logbook and the vehicle identification details. Ask the seller for evidence and contact the relevant record provider or DVLA if a discrepancy remains.
