Car registration check
Check a UK registration against DVLA and DVSA records, with MOT history, tax status, mileage and recall information.
Official services:
This free check covers government records. It does not check outstanding finance, theft, write-offs, ownership or a vehicle's mechanical condition.
View the combined free car checkRegistering an imported vehicle?
Guided V55/5 completion with DVLA validation — £14 one-time, full refund if the DVLA rejects it.
How to use this tool
- Enter the registration, including letters and numbers.
- Compare the DVLA identity fields with the physical vehicle and V5C.
- Use the MOT and tax sections to decide which documents or official checks you need next.
Compare the registration with the V5C
The returned make, colour, manufacture year and other available identity fields can help spot a mismatch in an advert or application. Model information is shown only when DVSA supplies it. The lookup does not reveal a keeper’s name or address and does not prove ownership.
Imported or recently registered vehicles
An import without a UK registration cannot be checked by its foreign plate here. A newly issued UK registration may take time to appear. Use the VIN and original registration documents to prepare the first-registration application; do not invent a UK registration to obtain a result.
Example scenario
The advertised colour differs from the record
The listing says blue but the DVLA record says silver. A colour change or an advert error could explain it. Compare the V5C and vehicle, ask the seller, and resolve the discrepancy before relying on that registration.
Common questions
Can I find the owner from a registration number?
No. This public lookup does not return personal keeper details. A V5C records the registered keeper; it is not proof of legal ownership.
Can I check a foreign number plate?
This tool checks UK registrations. For an unregistered import, follow the relevant registration route using the VIN and foreign registration documents.
How is this different from the free car check?
Both use the same combined government report. This page focuses on verifying registration details against paperwork; the free car check guide focuses on reviewing a vehicle before buying.
Official guidance
Guidance links checked 3 October 2026. This is an independent service, not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or HMRC.