DVLA Check — Free DVLA Vehicle Check by Reg
Enter a registration for a free DVLA vehicle check — tax status, MOT, CO₂ emissions and the vehicle's registered details. Motorscan uses official DVLA data and adds full DVSA MOT history in the same report.
- Official DVLA & DVSA data
- Instant results
- Tax & SORN status included
What a DVLA check shows
The DVLA holds the registration record for every UK vehicle. A free Motorscan check surfaces these details instantly from official DVLA data.
Two agencies, one Motorscan report
People often say "DVLA MOT check", but MOT data is actually held by the DVSA. The DVLA registers the vehicle and handles road tax and the V5C; the DVSA runs the MOT test. Motorscan pulls from both so you get the registered details, tax status and full MOT history in a single free check — no need to visit two separate government services.
How to run a DVLA check
Free, instant, and around ten seconds from reg to result.
Enter the registration
Type any UK number plate into the search box above — cars, vans, motorcycles and motorhomes are all supported.
See the DVLA record
Instantly view the vehicle's registered details, road-tax and SORN status, CO₂ emissions and MOT status from official DVLA and DVSA data.
Check tax & MOT dates
Confirm the vehicle is taxed and holds a valid MOT, and see when each is due — useful before you drive or buy.
Go deeper if buying
Add a full history check to reveal outstanding finance, write-off category and stolen markers the DVLA doesn't hold.
DVLA check — frequently asked questions
What does a DVLA check show?
A DVLA vehicle check confirms the details the DVLA holds on the registration: make, colour, year of manufacture, engine size, fuel type, CO₂ emissions, current road-tax (VED) status and due date, SORN status, MOT status and export marker. Motorscan combines that DVLA data with the DVSA MOT history and vehicle specification in one free report.
Is a DVLA check free?
Yes. Checking a vehicle's DVLA-held details, tax status and MOT status on Motorscan is completely free, with no sign-up and no card required — for any UK registration.
Can I check car tax with the DVLA?
Yes. A DVLA check shows whether a vehicle is currently taxed, untaxed or declared off the road (SORN), together with the date the tax is due. Driving an untaxed vehicle that isn't declared SORN can lead to an automatic DVLA fine, so it's worth checking before you drive or buy.
Can a DVLA check tell me who owns a car?
No. Under UK data-protection law the DVLA does not release the name or address of a registered keeper to the public. A check can show how many previous keepers a vehicle has had and when ownership last changed, but never their identity. The DVLA only releases keeper details to those with 'reasonable cause', such as after a parking incident.
What is the difference between the DVLA and the DVSA?
The DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) registers vehicles and drivers and handles road tax, SORN and the V5C logbook. The DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) runs the MOT test and holds MOT history. A Motorscan check pulls from both, so you see registration details, tax status and full MOT history together.
How do I check a car on the DVLA database?
Enter the number plate on Motorscan and the free check returns the DVLA-registered details instantly. You can also use the official GOV.UK 'Get vehicle information from DVLA' service — Motorscan uses the same underlying data and adds MOT history, mileage and emissions.
Does a DVLA check include MOT history?
MOT data is held by the DVSA rather than the DVLA, but Motorscan shows both together — so your DVLA check also includes the full MOT history, recorded mileage and advisory notes at no extra cost.
Can I check finance or write-off history with a DVLA check?
No — outstanding finance, insurance write-off and stolen markers aren't held by the DVLA. Those come from Experian, the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) and the Police National Computer, and are part of Motorscan's full vehicle history check.
Explore Motorscan's other free checks
Every check runs on the same official DVLA and DVSA data. Enter a registration on any of them free.
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