CHECK MY VEHICLE · UK CAR BUYING GUIDES
Buying used? Find the MOT history, check tax status and spot the questions worth asking before you view a car.
Our vehicle lookup is not live yet. Use the free official services linked in our guides below. No payment or registration required to read them.
Start with the facts. Free official records, practical buying checks and plain-English guides.
See what you can check for free →WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHECK?
Start with the free records. Then investigate finance, damage and anything that does not match the advert.
Also explore: tax and MOT check · SORN check · car checks · HPI check guide · mileage checks · vehicle checks
THREE STEPS BEFORE YOU PAY
Records help you decide what to investigate. They cannot tell you everything about the car in front of you.
Open the used-car checklist →Compare MOT mileage, advisories and vehicle details. Ask about gaps or inconsistencies.
Check the VIN and V5C, inspect service invoices and ask for evidence of important repairs.
Inspect in daylight, arrange a properly insured test drive and consider an independent inspection.
BUYING & OWNERSHIP
An MOT pass and a service record tell different stories. Learn how to compare dates, mileage, invoices and maintenance claims before buying a used car.
Read the guideNo MOT history showing for a used car? Check the registration, record coverage and supporting documents before deciding what the missing result means.
Read the guideVehicle tax does not transfer with a used car. Learn how to tax a newly bought car with the V5C/2 new keeper slip, what to check before driving, and…
Read the guideA practical UK road-test checklist: what to listen for, what to test at low and legal road speeds, when to stop, and which documents and history checks to confirm…
Read the guideRESEARCH YOUR SHORTLIST
BEFORE YOU START
Yes. Official services provide MOT history, vehicle details and tax status. They do not provide a complete finance or insurance write-off check. Our free car check guide explains the difference.
Not yet. We are building the service. You can use our guides and their links to official checks now without buying a report.
An MOT records the result of a test on a particular day. Read the advisories, compare the mileage and inspect the car’s current condition. Start with our MOT history guide.
Verify the car’s identity and documents, review the history, investigate finance and damage, and arrange a viewing and test drive. Use our car check guide as a starting point.