Free Car History Check

Enter a vehicle registration to get a free car history check.

GB
Get a Full Check

Protect yourself when buying a used vehicle.

  • Over 30,000 vehicles checked every day
  • Identify potential issues before you buy
  • 500+ 5-Star Reviews on Trustpilot

What data is included in a free car history check?

70 vehicle data fields completely free

  • Car History Score
    Get an overall assessment based on the vehicle data available to us.
  • Vehicle Identity
    Confirm make, model, colour, fuel type, age and other details.
  • Vehicle Specifications
    Review engine, emissions and other recorded specifications.
  • Tax & MOT Status
    Check whether the vehicle is currently taxed and has a valid MOT.
  • Stolen Vehicle Check
    Check whether the vehicle is currently recorded as stolen.
  • MOT History
    Check passes, failures, advisories and recorded mileage.
  • Mileage History
    Review recorded mileage and potential discrepancies.

We identified 62,357 vehicles with one or more potential issues in August 2026

  • 44,784 vehicles had a recent oil leak
  • 26,909 vehicles had a mileage discrepancy
  • 1,709 vehicles had an export marker

Potential issues include mileage discrepancies, export markers and MOT history concerns such as oil or coolant leaks and engine warning lights.

Based on vehicle searches completed on Car Tax Check during August 2026.

Three steps to take before buying a used car

Step 1: Free Car History Check

Get a detailed report about a vehicle you are looking to purchase, before you spend a penny.

  • Confirm the vehicle's identity
  • Check if the vehicle is stolen
  • Check MOT history for serious defects
  • Identify mileage issues that need further investigation
  • Find out how much it will cost to tax
Step 2: Upgrade to a Full Check

If everything checks out so far, a Full History Check adds additional checks for peace of mind.

  • Check for outstanding finance
  • Check for insurance write-offs
  • Check for import, export and scrapped markers
  • Identify colour or plate changes
  • Unlock mileage records from additional sources
  • Complete extra identity checks
Step 3: Physical Inspection

Before handing over any money, complete a detailed in-person inspection of the vehicle.

  • Use the report to help confirm the vehicle identity
  • Check the VIN and engine number match the physical vehicle
  • Check the V5C issue date on the report matches the logbook
  • Look for signs of tampering with the VIN or number plates

Completing all three of the steps above can help to reduce risk and avoid hidden problems when purchasing a used vehicle.

  • Tips for inspecting a used vehicle
  • Use the information provided on your report to ask the seller questions, for example, has the suspension issue from the last MOT been fixed? Can you provide any documentation for this repair work?
  • Visually inspect all areas of the vehicle to look for mechanical issues or items that might need attention soon, for example, tyres running low on tread. Ask someone more experienced for help or consider a paid inpsection from an independent company.

What can a Free Car History Check tell you?

Vehicle identity checks:

Check the make, model, fuel type, colour and year of registration. Discrepancies here could simply be down to mistakes in the DVLA records, but could also highlight something more serious (like a cloned vehicle). If anything doesn’t line up, stop and check before continuing.

Vehicle status checks:

Check if a vehicle is currently taxed, has a valid MOT or has been reported stolen. Tax doesn't transfer to the new owner when a vehicle is sold, so you’ll need to tax it immediately after purchasing. If a vehicle is untaxed or SORN when you view it, ask the seller why. Any vehicle you are buying should have a valid MOT unless you are specifically buying it for repair. You should always walk away from a stolen vehicle.

MOT History:

A vehicle’s MOT history can give you a good insight into how the vehicle has been maintained. We highlight serious or recurring problems, issues that appear year after year with no evidence of repair, and minor defects that may have been allowed to get worse over time.

Vehicle mileage:

Review mileage recorded throughout the vehicle’s history. Any mileage discrepancies should be investigated further to confirm if they are genuine mistakes in the records or deliberate mileage clocking attempts.

What isn’t included in a Free Car History Check?

Some important vehicle-history information is only available with our Full Car History Check.

Our Full Car History Check adds additional checks for outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, import, export and scrapped markers and includes a £30,000 data guarantee.

Don’t rely on vehicle data alone

A detailed in-person inspection of the vehicle is also extremely important. While vehicle history checks use data recorded in a range of trusted databases, such as DVLA, Experian, MOT History, police and insurers, they can’t identify all types of issues, especially if the seller deliberately tries to hide them. The best overall protection comes from combining trusted vehicle data checks with a thorough in-person inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Free Car History Check?

A free car history check lets you look up important vehicle information using its registration number without paying for a Full Car History Check. Our free check includes vehicle identity and specifications, tax and MOT information, MOT and mileage history, stolen status and our Car History Score.

Can I check if a car has outstanding finance for free?

Checking outstanding finance requires upgrading to a Full Car History Check. In addition to checking outstanding finance records from Experian, you’ll get a £30,000 data guarantee.

Why should I get a free car history check from Car Tax Check?

Car Tax Check has been providing vehicle information to UK motorists for more than 12 years. We combine data from sources including DVLA and DVSA with commercial vehicle data and our own analysis to make vehicle information easier to understand.

What’s the difference between a Free Car History Check and a Full Car History Check?

A Free Car History Check is a useful initial screening tool when considering a used vehicle. It includes 70 vehicle data fields covering MOT and mileage history, stolen status, vehicle identity, specifications and our Car History Score.

A Full Car History Check adds important checks for outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, import, export and scrapped markers, additional mileage records and other vehicle identity information. It also includes our £30,000 data guarantee.