Free Car BHP Check
Enter a UK registration number to check the BHP, horsepower, engine size, torque, PS, kW and performance details of a vehicle.
- Check BHP by reg
- Instant vehicle specs
- Free UK car check
What is BHP?
BHP stands for brake horsepower. It is a measurement used to describe how much power a vehicle produces and is one of the most common figures used when comparing car performance.
A car’s BHP can help you understand how powerful it is, how it may accelerate, and how it compares with other versions of the same make and model.
BHP check by registration number
Use our free BHP check to look up vehicle power and specification data using a UK number plate.
Check vehicle power
Find useful power details such as BHP, horsepower, PS and kW where available.
Review engine details
Check engine size, fuel type, number of gears, torque, power RPM and performance data.
Compare before buying
Make sure the seller’s advert matches the recorded specification before you commit.
What our free BHP check can show
Alongside BHP, your free check can include useful vehicle specification and identity details.
- BHP / horsepower: Check the recorded brake horsepower or vehicle power figure.
- PS and kW: Compare power using common European vehicle power measurements.
- Engine size: Review the engine capacity and fuel type.
- Torque: Understand pulling power and how the vehicle may feel in everyday driving.
- Top speed: See performance information where this data is available.
- Vehicle details: Confirm make, model, colour, fuel type and registration data.
Understanding BHP, HP, PS and kW
Vehicle manufacturers use several different measurements to describe engine power. Understanding the differences between BHP, HP, PS and kW can make it easier to compare vehicles before you buy.
BHP vs HP
BHP (Brake Horsepower) and HP (Horsepower) are often used interchangeably when discussing vehicle performance. In practice, both figures help indicate how powerful a vehicle is and are commonly used when comparing cars.
BHP vs PS
PS is metric horsepower and is widely used in European vehicle specifications. The figure is very close to BHP, so a car with 200 BHP will have a similar PS rating.
BHP vs kW
kW (Kilowatt) is another standard measurement of power. Many manufacturers, especially electric vehicle brands, use kW instead of BHP.
1 kW ≈ 1.34 HP
BHP vs Torque
BHP measures overall power output, while torque measures pulling force. Two vehicles can have similar BHP figures but feel very different to drive depending on their torque delivery.
Quick power comparison
Approximate UK power figure
Equivalent metric horsepower
Equivalent kilowatt rating
Why check BHP before buying a used car?
A BHP check helps you understand the exact version of the vehicle and whether the seller’s description looks accurate.
Identify the engine version
Many models come with different engine outputs. A BHP check helps confirm which version you are looking at.
Compare running costs
More powerful cars may cost more to insure, fuel and maintain, so checking BHP can help with budgeting.
Spot advert mistakes
Compare the seller’s claimed power figure with recorded specification data before buying.
Looking for more than just BHP?
A vehicle's BHP can tell you a lot about its performance, but it won't reveal important history information such as outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen vehicle records, MOT history or mileage checks.
For a more complete picture, run a car check before buying. A full vehicle history report can help identify potential risks such as outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen vehicle records and mileage discrepancies.
It's also worth checking the vehicle's maintenance history. A service history check is different from a BHP check because it focuses on servicing and maintenance records carried out on the vehicle rather than performance specifications. Reviewing both checks can help you build a more complete picture of the car before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the BHP of my car?
You can check the BHP of your car by entering the registration number into our free vehicle check tool.
Can I check BHP by reg?
Yes. A BHP check by reg uses the vehicle registration number to find recorded specification data linked to that car.
What is brake horsepower?
Brake horsepower, or BHP, is a measurement of vehicle power. It is commonly used to compare car performance.
What is the difference between HP and BHP?
HP and BHP are often used in a similar way, but they can be measured differently. When comparing cars, use figures from the same source where possible.
What is the difference between PS and BHP?
PS is metric horsepower and is commonly used in European vehicle specifications. It is close to BHP but not exactly the same.
What is the difference between kW and BHP?
kW stands for kilowatt. It is another way of measuring power. As a guide, 1 kW is around 1.34 horsepower.
Does BHP affect insurance?
BHP can affect insurance because more powerful cars may be placed in higher insurance groups. Insurers also consider age, location, claims history, vehicle value and other risk factors.
Does a BHP check show top speed?
A BHP check may show top speed and other performance data where this information is available for the vehicle.