Free Car History Check
Check MOT history, tax status, mileage and key vehicle details instantly.
- Over 5 million checks completed
- Uses DVLA & licensed data
- £10,000 data guarantee
How a car history check works
Enter your registration number to check any UK vehicle and instantly access the full history report.
Enter the registration number
We search DVLA and licensed data sources to retrieve accurate vehicle information linked to the registration.
Review the free car check
Instantly view essential vehicle information from the free car check, including make, model and specifications.
Get the full vehicle report
Upgrade to access the full car history report, including outstanding finance, stolen status, write-off records and other critical checks to help you avoid risks before buying a used vehicle.
What do we check?
Our Full Car Check searches over 80 vehicle data points using DVLA data and trusted industry sources, including Experian finance data, the Police National Computer and MIAFTR insurance records.
Finance & ownership
- Outstanding finance powered by Experian
- Logbook loan checks
- Previous keeper information
- Number plate changes
Stolen & damage history
- Stolen check using Police National Computer & MIAFTR data
- Insurance write-off history
- Salvage history
- Previous damage records
MOT & mileage
- Full MOT history
- Advanced mileage checks
- Road tax status
- Service history where available
Vehicle identity & status
- VIN and chassis details
- Import and export status
- Vehicle specifications
- Vehicle valuation
These are some of the checks included in our report. View our sample report to see the full vehicle data available.
Customer reviews of our car check service
Over 5 million vehicle checks completed, with fast, reliable and accurate car history reports.
Easy and quick
"Made buying a car so much more easier because they help with all the hidden secrets/details of car buying and they do their due diligence. The crash photos really helped me see the extent of what CAT car I was buying."
Best car check
"Best car check in the UK. The report was extremely comprehensive and even included the service history. It also flagged the outstanding finance recorded against the car, which the seller didn’t even mention. Highly recommended, and I would definitely use them again."
First class service
"Helped me avoid a big mishap! Was prepared to purchase a vehicle, used full car checks to double check everything and it flagged up an issue. Bought it up with the seller who didn’t have an explanation."
Our car history check service is trusted by thousands of UK car buyers every month and has received excellent reviews on Trustpilot and Google.
Customers value our fast results, accurate vehicle data and clear reports, helping them make informed decisions before buying a car.
Why choose Full Car Checks
Trusted by UK motorists for fast, clear vehicle history reports using official and established industry data sources.
Trusted vehicle data
Our reports combine official DVLA information with established industry data sources to help you check a vehicle with confidence.
- Includes Experian finance data and licensed vehicle history information.
- Stolen and write-off checks use recognised police and insurance data sources.
£10,000 data guarantee
Our Full Car Check includes a £10,000 data guarantee for added protection when buying a used vehicle.
- Included with qualifying Full Car Check reports.
- Provides additional reassurance when checking a vehicle before purchase.
Over 5 million checks completed
More than 5 million vehicle checks have been completed through Full Car Checks.
- Fast online results for UK vehicle registrations.
- Clear reports designed to highlight important vehicle history and potential risks.
Insights From 100,000 Car History Checks
Based on 100,000 car history checks completed through Full Car Checks, our data highlights some of the most common issues uncovered in a vehicle check.
1 in 10 Vehicles Had Outstanding Finance
10,000 Vehicles1 in 10 vehicles had outstanding car finance recorded against them. Outstanding finance can create ownership complications if it is not identified before purchase.
1 in 7 Vehicles Had Write-Off Records
14,300 Vehicles1 in 7 vehicles had a Cat S, Cat N, Cat C, or Cat D write-off record identified during a vehicle check. Previous write-off damage can affect a vehicle's value, repair quality and insurability.
1 in 16 Vehicles Had Mileage Discrepancies
6,300 Vehicles1 in 16 vehicles showed a potential mileage discrepancy across DVSA MOT records and other sources. Mileage discrepancies can significantly affect a vehicle's value and should always be investigated further before purchase.
1 in 3 Vehicles Had Hidden Vehicle History
33,300 Vehicles1 in 3 vehicles contained at least one history marker, including stolen vehicle records, plate changes, scrapped status, previous damage records or other important vehicle history information.
Statistics are based on our analysis of 100,000 vehicle checks completed through Full Car Checks. Vehicles may contain multiple history markers and may therefore appear in more than one category. Figures are provided as a general indication of issues identified across the vehicles checked.
What is a car history check?
A car history check provides key information about a vehicle’s past, helping you identify risks before buying a used car. It checks official and licensed data sources to reveal issues such as outstanding finance, stolen status, write-off records and other important details.
- Insurance write-off check (total loss): Confirms if a vehicle has been recorded as an insurance write-off (Category A, B, C, D, S or N) using data from the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud & Theft Register (MIAFTR).
- Outstanding finance check: Shows if the vehicle is still under finance and may not legally belong to the seller. Check outstanding finance on a vehicle.
- Imported or exported status: Confirms whether the vehicle has been recorded as imported or exported by DVLA.
- Salvage history: Reveals auction records and damage photos where available. View salvage history check.
- VIN and identity check: Verifies key vehicle identity details linked to the registration.
- Vehicle valuation: Provides an estimated market value based on mileage and vehicle data.
A car history check is essential when buying a used vehicle, helping you avoid hidden problems and unexpected costs.
What’s included in our car history check
Compare our free car check, standard check and full report to find the right level of detail before buying a used vehicle.
Free car check
Start with a free car check to access essential vehicle details and basic history information.
- Vehicle details: make, model, year, fuel type and specifications
- MOT history and road tax information
- Basic checks including stolen vehicle status, mileage alerts and recalls
Standard car check
Upgrade to a standard car check for deeper checks and more detailed vehicle information.
- Insurance write-off and salvage history
- Advanced mileage check and previous keepers
- Imported/exported status and vehicle changes
- VIN details, plate changes and full vehicle records
Full car history check
Get the most comprehensive car history check with full data coverage to help you avoid high-risk vehicles before buying.
- Outstanding finance and logbook loan checks
- Insurance write-off, stolen status and high-risk alerts
- Vehicle valuation and complete vehicle report
- Includes £10,000 data guarantee for added protection
Free Car Check vs Full Car Check
Start with our free car check for key DVLA data and MOT insights. Upgrade to the full report for finance checks, write-off records, stolen status and deeper vehicle checks before you buy.
| Feature | Free Car Check | Full Car Check |
|---|---|---|
| DVLA data | Tax status, MOT history, Export status, SORN updates and technical specifications pulled from DVLA. | Adds keeper timeline insights, colour changes, import/export status, and more detailed vehicle specifications. |
| Vehicle history insights | Highlights red flags such as MOT failures, mileage patterns, and expired road tax. | Includes finance checks, insurance write-off records, stolen vehicle status, salvage history checks, valuation, and much more. |
| Additional vehicle data | Includes basic DVLA data such as tax status, MOT history and vehicle details. | Includes extended mileage checks from licensed databases, combining multiple data sources to build a complete vehicle history. |
| Data guarantee | Limited preview of data guarantee coverage. | £10,000 data guarantee included with every full report, providing added protection when buying a used vehicle. |
Complete UK car check only £9.99
Get a complete report from just £9.99, with detailed vehicle data at a lower cost than many other UK car check providers.
Our full car check includes outstanding finance checks, MIAFTR insurance write-off records, salvage history, plate changes and other essential vehicle checks to help you make informed decisions before buying or selling a car.
Pricing and included data were last checked on 01 September 2026 against HPI Check, Car Checker, Reg Check, Check Car Details, Vehicle Check, Car Check, Instant CarCheck, MyCarCheck, Car Analytics, RAC Car Passport and AA Car Check.
Car check FAQs
What is a car history check?
A car history check, often referred to as an HPI check, provides information about a vehicle’s history, helping you identify risks before buying a used car. It includes information such as MOT history, tax status, mileage records, ownership data and other important factors to consider.
Is it worth getting a car history check?
Yes, a car history check is essential when buying a used car. It helps you avoid hidden problems by revealing issues such as outstanding finance, stolen status, write-off records and mileage discrepancies before you buy.
Why is a car check important?
A car check is important because it verifies whether a vehicle has been stolen, written off, has outstanding finance or has incorrect mileage. This helps you make an informed decision and avoid costly mistakes when buying a vehicle.
How much does a car history check cost?
A full car check costs £9.99 and a standard check costs £5.99. Our full report includes comprehensive vehicle checks and a £10,000 data guarantee for added protection.
How can I check a car’s MOT and tax status?
You can check a car’s MOT and tax status instantly by entering the registration number into our free car check. Alternatively, you can use the GOV.UK MOT history and GOV.UK vehicle tax services.
How do I check a car’s service history?
A car service history check shows maintenance records, including service dates, mileage and work carried out. You can use our service history check to view available records and better understand a vehicle’s condition.
Is a free car check enough?
A free car check provides basic vehicle information, but a full car history report is recommended to check finance, write-off status and other critical details before buying.