Car Information Check — What You Can Find Out
A UK registration number is a key to a surprisingly detailed set of official data. Here is everything you can find out — what is free, what requires a paid check, and how to use it when buying.
Free Information (DVLA + DVSA)
The DVLA provides the following for any UK registration at no charge:
- Make and model
- Engine size (cc) and fuel type
- Registered colour
- Date of first UK registration
- CO2 emissions (g/km) and Euro emission standard
- Current road tax status and expiry date
- Current MOT expiry date
- SORN status if applicable
The DVSA separately provides free MOT history including every test result, mileage recorded at each test, and advisory notes since 2005.
Paid Information (Experian AutoCheck)
A full VEHIXA check adds Experian AutoCheck data:
- Number of previous registered keepers
- Outstanding finance (HP/PCP agreements)
- Write-off category (S or N)
- Stolen vehicle status
- Plate change history
- VIN integrity verification
- High risk flags (exported, scrapped, imported)
Information Not Available from Registration
Registration checks cannot reveal: the keeper's name or address (GDPR protected), service history records (held by garages, not accessible centrally), private sale history or accident damage not claimed through insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information can I get about a car from its registration?
A registration number lookup returns: make and model, engine size and fuel type, registered colour, CO2 emissions and Euro standard, date of first UK registration, road tax status and expiry, MOT status and expiry. A full check adds: keeper count, outstanding finance, write-off category, stolen status, and plate change history.
Is car information available free from the DVLA?
Yes. The DVLA provides free vehicle information at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla covering the basic technical and tax/MOT details. The DVSA provides free MOT history at check-mot-history.service.gov.uk. Finance, write-off, and stolen data require a paid check via services like VEHIXA.
Can I find out when a car was manufactured from the registration?
The DVLA returns "date of first registration" which is when the car was first registered in the UK — usually close to or the same as the manufacture date for new UK sales. For imports, the manufacture date may be earlier. The manufacture date (distinct from registration date) is not held by the DVLA; it appears on the vehicle's type approval plate or VIN decode.
What car information should I check before buying a used vehicle?
Before buying: (1) Basic DVLA check — confirm make/model/engine matches what seller says; (2) MOT history — check mileage consistency and recurring advisories; (3) Full check — confirm no outstanding finance, write-off category, stolen flag; (4) Physical check — compare registered colour, VIN locations, and V5C details against the actual vehicle.
Everything you can know about a vehicle
DVLA + DVSA + Experian AutoCheck — all the information that can be checked on any UK car.
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