Free Car Check — Instant UK Vehicle History by Reg
Enter any UK number plate and get a free car check in seconds.
MOT history, tax status, reg check, number plate check and mileage records — powered by official DVLA and DVSA data.
- £30k Data Guarantee
- Instant Report
- 25+ Free Data Points — more than the GOV.UK checker
Rated Excellent • 1000+ reviews
What your free car check includes
Motorscan shows more free data points than any other UK car check provider — including the official GOV.UK checker. Run a check on any UK vehicle and see the full picture before you buy.
Free tier — 25+ data points
- MOT history & expiry date
- Current tax (VED) status
- Mileage at each MOT
- Vehicle make, model & colour
- Engine size & fuel type
- Number of previous keepers
- CO₂ emissions & tax band
- SORN status
- Scrapped vehicle check
- Mileage clocking alert
Paid upgrade — full history check
- Finance check (HP & PCP) — powered by Experian
- Insurance write-off status
- Stolen vehicle check
- Full keeper history
- Import / export status
- MIAFTR check
- Damage history
- Full running costs
- ANPR check
Free MOT history check — see every test since 2005
Every UK vehicle's full MOT history is available free through Motorscan. See pass and fail results, recorded mileage at each test, advisory notes, and failure reasons — all from official DVSA records. Use it to spot mileage clocking, recurring faults, or maintenance gaps before you buy a used car. Enter your reg above to check any vehicle instantly.
Free MOT history checkCheck car tax — see VED status instantly by reg
Enter any UK registration to check whether a vehicle is taxed, untaxed, or registered SORN. Motorscan shows current tax (VED) status, expiry date, and tax band — free, using live DVLA data. No sign-up required.
Check car taxFull car history check — finance, write-offs, stolen and more
A free car check gives you the basics. A full Motorscan history check goes further — checking outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen markers, previous keeper count, and plate change history. It's the equivalent of a paid history check, without the premium price tag. Essential before buying any used car privately.
Free car history checkMotorscore — instant vehicle score by reg
Every vehicle checked on Motorscan receives a Motorscore — a single score that summarises the vehicle's MOT history, mileage consistency, keeper count and known risks. See at a glance whether a car is worth investigating further, or whether to walk away.
Check vehicle scoreOver 10,000,000+ vehicle checks completed — finance data powered by Experian
Highly recommended by our customers
Motorscan combines data from the DVLA, DVSA, Experian, MIAFTR insurance database and the Police National Computer — more sources than any other free UK car check provider. Backed by our £30,000 data guarantee.
"£10 report potentially saved me thousands! Would recommend it to any one! In hindsight definitely worth going for the 3 pack!"
"Very good. Told me exactly what I needed to know for a very reasonable price. On this occasion all good on the scan so I bought the car"
"Lots of very useful information and give me confidence in the car. I'm about to purchase many thanks."
Every Motorscan check in one place
From MOT history to ANPR scans, run any of our free or premium vehicle checks below.
Full MOT pass/fail history, mileage at each test, advisory notes and failure reasons from official DVSA records.
Check current VED status, expiry date and tax band for any UK vehicle using live DVLA data.
The full equivalent of a paid history check — finance, write-off, stolen, plate changes and keeper history.
Reveal any outstanding finance agreements before you buy — checks powered by Experian.
Cat A, B, S and N insurance write-off records — see whether a vehicle has been declared a total loss.
Cross-checks the Police National Computer to confirm a vehicle has not been reported stolen.
Comprehensive DVLA vehicle check — tax, MOT, SORN, scrapped status and full DVLA-registered details.
Check any UK number plate for previous registrations, plate changes and current vehicle assignment.
Check any UK motorcycle's MOT, tax and history — same trusted data, built for two wheels.
See estimated fuel, tax, insurance and servicing costs for any UK vehicle before you commit.
View factory-fitted options and original specification — verify the vehicle hasn't been misrepresented.
Scan any number plate with your phone's camera and run an instant free car check.
Check whether a vehicle is recorded as insured on the ASKMID database — essential if you're buying a car and want to verify active cover.
Get a single Motorscore that summarises a vehicle's MOT, mileage and risk profile in one easy-to-read score.
Frequently asked questions
Is a car check free?
Yes. Motorscan provides a free car check on every UK vehicle, covering MOT history, tax status, mileage records, vehicle specs and more — no sign-up required. Premium upgrades unlock finance, write-off and stolen checks.
What does a free car check show?
A Motorscan free car check shows MOT history and expiry date, current tax (VED) status, mileage at each MOT, make/model/colour, engine size and fuel type, number of previous keepers, CO₂ emissions, SORN and scrapped status — over 25 free data points in total.
How do I check a car's MOT history?
Enter any UK registration on Motorscan to see the vehicle's full MOT history from official DVSA records, including pass/fail results, recorded mileage, advisory notes and failure reasons for every test since 2005.
How do I check if a car has outstanding finance?
Run a Motorscan premium check to see whether a vehicle has any outstanding finance agreements. Finance data is supplied by Experian and includes lender details, agreement type and start date.
Can I check if a car is stolen for free?
Stolen vehicle checks are part of Motorscan's premium check, cross-referenced against the Police National Computer. The free car check confirms vehicle status but does not include stolen markers.
What is the difference between a free car check and an HPI check?
A free car check covers DVLA and DVSA data — MOT, tax, mileage and basic vehicle details. An HPI check, the term often used for a full vehicle history check, adds finance, write-off, stolen and import/export records. Motorscan's premium check is a full history-check equivalent at a lower price.
How do I check car tax by reg?
Enter the UK registration on Motorscan to check whether the vehicle is taxed, untaxed or SORN. The free check shows current VED status, expiry date and tax band using live DVLA data.
What does a DVLA car check show?
A DVLA car check shows tax status, MOT status, SORN, scrapped status, vehicle make/model, colour, engine size, fuel type, year of manufacture and CO₂ emissions. Motorscan adds full MOT history and mileage records on top of the basic DVLA data.
Car buying news and guides
Looking to buy a new car? Our buying and car checking guides will help you cover all aspects of buying your car and how to maintain it. Make sure you read them before you make that important decision.
Car Write-Offs: Insurance, Taxes, and Financial Implications Explained
Curious about car write-offs and what they mean for your wallet, insurance, and taxes? Motorscan breaks it all down for UK drivers: how write-off categories work, how payouts and buy-backs function, and what you need to know when selling or buying a repaired car. Read the full article to stay in control and avoid costly surprises!
Car vs Motorcycle Insurance: Costs, Coverage and Key Differences
Not sure whether to go for a car or a motorcycle—or wondering which one is more expensive to insure? Both need insurance by law, but the costs, coverage, and risks aren’t the same. Read Motorscan’s complete guide to discover the key differences, how premiums are set, and money-saving tips that will help you pick the right cover with confidence.
Key Factors That Affect Your Motorbike Insurance Premium
Wondering why your motorcycle insurance costs what it does? From your bike’s age and engine size to your riding history, location, and even the season, many factors affect your premium. Discover the key influences and the smart strategies to save money with Motorscan’s tell-all guide.
Tips for Choosing the Right Motorbike Insurance Policy
Don’t overpay for motorcycle insurance. Discover how coverage levels, rider experience, bike type, and smart shopping strategies affect your premium. Get practical tips on protecting your bike, saving money, and exploring specialist options, so you can make the best choices that give the perfect cover without breaking the bank.
Ghost Plates Exposed: Invisible Number Plates and the Legal Consequences
Thousands of UK drivers are using illegal “ghost” plates to dodge speed cameras while law-abiding motorists get fined. These invisible number plates exploit camera technology to avoid detection, but new enforcement systems are catching up fast. With fines up to £1,000 and six penalty points, the risks are serious. From how the technology works to legal consequences and what it means for regular drivers, we expose everything you need to know about this growing enforcement crisis.
V5C Logbook Guide: What to Do When Selling Your Car Privately
Selling your car privately but confused about V5C paperwork? You’re not alone. The V5C logbook might seem like simple paperwork, but handling it incorrectly can result in fines up to £1,000, ongoing liability for a vehicle you no longer own, and serious headaches for both you and your buyer.
Our comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about V5C requirements when selling your car. From preparing your logbook before listing to completing the transfer on sale day and properly notifying the DVLA afterwards, we cover every essential step with complete clarity.
The best value full car check in the UK
Here at Motorscan, we are proud to offer the best value vehicle history check in the UK.
Our full car check is the best value vehicle history check that reveals outstanding finance via Experian, Police National Computer stolen markers, MIAFTR insurance write-off records, salvage auction history, plate changes, full keeper history, mileage clocking alerts as well as all DVLA data fields. This is based on purchasing a single check for £10.99.
See full car check pricingThis was last checked on 20 April 2026 and we compared our prices against AA Car Check, AutoTrader Vehicle Check, Car Check, CarVertical, CarVeto, Free HPI Check, Full Car Checks, MotorCheck, My Car Check, RAC Car Check, Total Car Check and VCheck.