Free car check
by reg.
Type any UK registration to see the car’s MOT history, the mileage at every test, when its MOT and tax run out, any outstanding safety recall, and its CO2 and emissions standard.
Any UK registration. Straight from the official DVSA MOT record and DVLA’s vehicle record, with nothing to sign up for.
What the car check shows
- MOT: whether it’s valid and when it runs out, or when the first one is due.
- Every MOT test: pass or fail, the date and the mileage, with every advisory and defect grouped the way the DVSA records them.
- Mileage: the reading at every test on a graph, the average per year, and a clear note if a reading was ever lower than an earlier one.
- Tax: taxed, SORN or not taxed, and the date it’s due.
- Safety recalls: whether the record shows a recall that hasn’t been done.
- The car: make, model, colour, fuel, engine size, first registration, year of manufacture, CO2, Euro emissions standard, and when the last V5C logbook was issued.
What it doesn’t show
Outstanding finance, theft markers and insurance write-off records aren’t part of the MOT record or DVLA’s vehicle record, so they aren’t here. A paid vehicle history check covers those.
If the mileage went down
A reading lower than an earlier one doesn’t always mean the mileage has been changed. It can be a mistake when the reading was typed in at the test, a reading in kilometres entered as miles, or a replaced instrument panel. If you’re buying, ask about it and see the paperwork: service records and old MOT certificates show the mileage over the years.
Where the information comes from
The MOT tests, mileage, MOT due date and recall flag come from the DVSA’s MOT history record. Tax, CO2, the Euro standard, the year of manufacture, the last V5C date and the export marker come from DVLA’s vehicle record. We show them as they’re recorded. If something on the record is wrong, the DVSA or DVLA can correct it.
You can also check the MOT history on GOV.UK or check if a vehicle is taxed. The Used Car Buyers isn’t part of DVLA, DVSA or GOV.UK.
Never miss an MOT or tax date
After a check, tap Add MOT date to calendar or Add tax date to calendar. Your phone adds the date with a reminder before it, and nothing is sent to us. The MOT reminder comes about four weeks before, in time to book: you can have an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Questions people ask
Is the car check really free?
Yes. There’s nothing to pay and nothing to sign up for: type a registration and the check appears.
What do I need to check a car?
Just the registration. It works for any car or van registered in Great Britain with a DVSA MOT record or a DVLA vehicle record.
Does it show outstanding finance, or if a car is stolen or written off?
No. Finance, theft and insurance write-off records aren’t on the MOT record or DVLA’s vehicle record, so they aren’t here. A paid vehicle history check covers those.
Why does the mileage go down?
A reading lower than an earlier one doesn’t always mean the mileage has been changed. It can be a mistake when the reading was typed in at the test, a reading in kilometres entered as miles, or a replaced instrument panel. If you’re buying, ask about it and see the paperwork.
Why is there no MOT history?
Cars have their first MOT at three years old in Great Britain, and generally at four in Northern Ireland, so a newer car has no tests yet: the check shows when the first one is due. The MOT records go back to 2005 in Great Britain and 2017 in Northern Ireland.
How up to date is it?
It comes from the DVSA and DVLA records and is never more than a day old. The check shows the date it was taken. A test done today can take a little while to appear on the record.
Can I check a car I’m thinking of buying?
Yes. Any registration works, so you can check a car before you go to see it. Compare the mileage on the dashboard with the last reading here.
More guides: MOT advisories explained · Cambelt or timing chain? · What year is my number plate? · All our car tools · How selling to us works
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