How to Check a Used Car's History in the UK

By the 247VehicleCheck Data Team

Most of the checks that protect a used-car buyer in the UK are free and take minutes. All you need is the registration number, and later the car's V5C registration certificate. This checklist puts them in a sensible order, before you travel to see the car.

Step 1: look the car up on GOV.UK

With only the registration number, the DVLA's free vehicle information service shows the make, colour, fuel type, year of manufacture, engine size, tax status and MOT status. Compare these with the advert. A different colour or engine size from what the seller says is a reason to ask questions.

Step 2: read the MOT history

The free MOT history service lists every test since records began, with failures, advisories and the recorded mileage at each test. Look for mileage that does not rise steadily, repeated advisories for the same item such as corrosion or suspension, and long gaps between tests.

Step 3: check for open recalls

Use the GOV.UK vehicle recalls checker to see whether any safety recall on that vehicle is still outstanding. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Our recall guide explains what the numbers on our US-based pages mean.

Step 4: paperwork and finance

Ask to see the V5C registration certificate (the logbook). The seller's name and address should match the person you are dealing with, and the details should match the car. A paid history check from a reputable provider can additionally flag outstanding finance, an insurance write-off record or a stolen marker; these records are not on the free GOV.UK services.

Step 5: identify the exact car on our pages

Find the make and model on our makes page, then open the year to see the generation, facelift status and engine range. This helps you check that the car you are shown, for example a pre-facelift model advertised as a later one, is what the seller says it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 8 November 2026