Free VRM Check - Instant UK Vehicle History Lookup
Free instant check — 1 in 3 used cars has outstanding finance. 1 in 5 has a suspicious MOT history. Know the truth before you hand over a penny. Full report £5.97.
The UK's Free Vehicle History Check
VRMCheck gives you instant access to a vehicle's complete DVSA MOT history, DVLA tax status and recorded mileage — completely free, no account needed. Just enter any UK number plate to run a free reg check in seconds. For total peace of mind before buying a used car, our full £5.97 report adds outstanding finance checks against the national finance register, insurance write-off status (Cat A, B, S and N), stolen vehicle checks and a mileage discrepancy analysis, covering everything a UK buyer needs.
More about VRMCheck▼
Over 40 million UK vehicles are registered with the DVLA. Whether you're running a used car check on a Ford Focus, BMW 3 Series, Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, Vauxhall Corsa or any other make and model, VRMCheck gives you the data you need in seconds — a free car check by reg with no signup required.
A VRM check — a vehicle registration mark check, also called a number plate check or reg check — looks up a UK plate against official DVLA and DVSA records to confirm a car's identity, MOT history, tax status and recorded mileage before you buy. What is a VRM check?
Trusted by private buyers, independent dealers and motor traders across the UK.
Don't leave your next car unchecked.
Every year thousands of UK buyers unknowingly purchase vehicles with hidden histories. A £5.97 check could save you thousands.
Cars have hidden finance
MOT history is misleading
Cars are written off
Stolen vehicles per year
Check yours now — it's free to start.
Free MOT & tax check · Full protection report £5.97 · Instant results · No signup
Everything you need to buy with confidence.
MOT & Tax Status
- Current MOT expiry date
- Tax status & expiry
- SORN status
- Basic vehicle spec (make, model, colour, engine)
Full Vehicle Report
- →Everything in Free, plus:
- Full MOT history (pass/fail/advisories)
- Mileage timeline & anomaly flags
- Number of previous keepers
- Outstanding finance check
- Write-off / insurance total loss
- Stolen vehicle check
- ++ Valuation add-on available (£1.40)
Finance, write-off, stolen & keeper data provided by Experian.
Get Full Report →Free to check, no account needed. Pay only for the full report once you've found the right car. MOT and tax data come straight from official DVLA & DVSA sources.
Why buyers trust VRMCheck
DVLA & DVSA Licensed
Official UK government data
Secure SSL Payment
256-bit encrypted checkout
5-Star Rated
Trusted by thousands of UK buyers
ICO Registered
UK GDPR compliant · CSN6229048
Instant Results
Live data in seconds
No Hidden Fees
Pay once, own your report
Free vs Paid — at a glance.
| Feature | Free | Full £5.97 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT Status & Expiry | ||
| Tax Status & Due Date | ||
| Basic Vehicle Spec | ||
| Full MOT History | ||
| Mileage Timeline & Flags | ||
| Number of Keepers * | ||
| Outstanding Finance Check * | ||
| Write-Off / Cat S, N Check * | ||
| Stolen Vehicle Check * | ||
| Plate Change History * |
*Data provided by Experian. MOT history & mileage from DVSA.
No tiers. One simple price.
Many premium vehicle checks make you guess which tier has the data you actually need. VRMCheck gives you the full report, every time, for £5.97 — with optional add-ons if you want more.
VRMCheck
MOT history
Outstanding finance
Write-off & stolen check
Mileage timeline
£5.97
Full Report — everything included
Finance, write-off, stolen & keeper data provided by Experian.
Check any car in 30 seconds.
Enter a plate, get MOT, tax, finance, write-off and stolen status — instantly.
Three steps. Thirty seconds.
Enter Your VRM
Type any UK registration plate into the search box. No spaces needed — works for cars, vans, motorcycles and HGVs.
Get Instant Report
We check DVSA, DVLA and licensed databases in real time. Your free vehicle summary appears on screen in seconds — no signup required.
Review Your Vehicle History
Read MOT history, tax status and specs for free. Unlock the full report for outstanding finance, write-off and stolen checks.
Popular makes
Free used car checks by manufacturer — MOT, tax & finance history
Audi
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Volkswagen
Used Volkswagen check
Vauxhall
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Mercedes-Benz
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Mercedes-Benz
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Toyota
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Nissan
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Kia
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Hyundai
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Peugeot
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Skoda
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MINI
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Popular locations
Run a free vehicle check in your area
Here's what you'll see.
2005 Porsche 911 · Grey · Petrol · 2700cc
Vehicle Details
⚠ Tyre worn close to legal limit
Premium Checks
Finance, write-off, stolen, keeper and plate change data provided by Experian.
Unlock the full picture for this car
Finance check · All advisories · Valuation · Keeper history · More
Get Full Report — £5.97 →Instant · No account needed
Official UK data. Always up to date.
DVSA
MOT History & Recorded Mileage
Updated daily
DVLA
Vehicle Registration & Tax
Live data
Experian
Finance, Stolen, Write-Off, Keepers & Plate Changes
Data provided by Experian
Vehicle checks, guides and tools
Everything you need before buying a used car in the UK: free checks by registration, model buying guides and honest comparisons of the vehicle history services on the market.
Free checks & tools
Buying guides
UK vehicle checks, answered
What does a VRM check show?
A VRM check looks up a UK number plate against official records and returns the vehicle's identity (make, model, colour, fuel type and engine size), its MOT history with test dates, results, recorded mileage and advisory notes, and its current tax status with the date tax is due. The free VRMCheck result shows all of that at no cost; the £5.97 full report adds outstanding finance, insurance write-off category, stolen markers, keeper changes and plate changes.
How much does a UK vehicle check cost?
The VRMCheck free check costs £0 and needs no account: MOT status, tax status and the basic vehicle specification. The full history report is £5.97as a one-off payment with no subscription, covering full MOT history, mileage timeline, outstanding finance, write-off, stolen, keeper and plate history plus a valuation. Optional extras start at £0.60 and are never added automatically — you tick what you want before paying.
How quickly do I get the report?
Instantly. The free check resolves in seconds, and a paid report unlocks on screen the moment payment is confirmed, with a copy emailed to you at the same time. There is no waiting period and no manual review step.
Do I need a check before buying a used car?
Yes if you are paying any meaningful amount for the car. A private seller is not obliged to tell you that finance is secured against the vehicle, and an outstanding agreement can leave a buyer with a car a lender has a claim over. A check also exposes insurance write-offs that have been repaired and sold on, and mileage that has been wound back between MOT tests.
What is the difference between a VRM and a VIN?
A VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark) is the number plate itself, and it can change when a private plate is transferred on or off a car. A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the 17-character chassis number stamped into the vehicle, and it stays with that car for life. VRMCheck uses the VRM to query DVLA and DVSA records, and the free VIN decoder to confirm the factory specification and check the plate has not been used to hide a different vehicle's history.
See the full breakdown on the pricing page, the method on how it works, and every source we query in data sources & methodology.
What Our Customers Say
Real reviews from verified UK car buyers and trade professionals.
Average Rating
6+
Verified Reviews
83%
5-Star Reviews
Saved me from a disaster purchase
Checked a BMW 3 Series and VRMCheck flagged outstanding finance of nearly £8,000. The seller had no idea (or so they said). Absolutely worth every penny. The report was instant and easy to read.
James T.
Manchester
Best free car check I've found
Used the free check on 3 different cars before buying. The MOT history and mileage timeline alone were enough to narrow it down. Ended up buying the right one with confidence.
Sarah M.
Bristol
Genuinely great value for money
I'd been comparing checks across a few sites and VRMCheck gave me everything I needed for the price of a coffee. The finance flag alone would have cost me thousands if I'd missed it. No brainer for anyone buying used.
Daniel K.
London
Really fast and reliable
Results came back in seconds. The market sentiment score was a brilliant touch — told me the car was overpriced by about £900. Used that to negotiate the asking price down.
Rachel P.
Leeds
Trade account is a game changer
We run a small dealership and process 30-40 checks a month. The trade account pricing has saved us hundreds. The dashboard is clean and the data is accurate every time.
Tom H.
Birmingham
The VIN decoder is incredible
Decoded the VIN on a used Audi and found out it was missing the premium sound system it was advertised with. Completely free tool. This site is genuinely brilliant.
Emma W.
Edinburgh
All reviews are from verified customers who have used VRMCheck
Good questions. Quick answers.
What does a VRM check show?
A VRM check returns the vehicle's identity (make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size), its MOT history with test results, recorded mileage and advisories, and its tax status with the date tax is due. That is all free on VRMCheck. The £5.97 full report adds outstanding finance, write-off category, stolen markers, keeper changes and plate changes.
How much does a UK vehicle check cost?
The free check is £0 with no account needed — MOT status, tax status and basic vehicle spec. The full history report is £5.97 as a one-off payment, not a subscription. Optional extras such as a valuation start at £0.60 and are never added without you ticking them.
Do I need a check before buying a used car?
Yes if you are spending real money. A private seller need not disclose finance secured against the car, and an outstanding agreement can leave the buyer exposed. A check also reveals repaired insurance write-offs and mileage wound back between MOT tests.
What is the difference between a VRM and a VIN?
A VRM is the number plate and can change when a private plate is transferred. A VIN is the 17-character chassis number and stays with the car for life. VRMCheck queries DVLA and DVSA using the VRM, and the free VIN decoder confirms the factory specification.
How quickly do I get my report?
Instantly — results appear on screen the moment your payment is confirmed. We also email you a copy.
How accurate is the data?
We use official DVSA and DVLA databases updated daily, plus third-party finance and stolen checks. The same data used by dealerships and insurers.
What if the vehicle isn't found?
We'll tell you immediately and offer a full refund. Some very new or very old vehicles may not have full records.
Is my payment secure?
Yes — payments are processed by Base44 Payments. We never store card details.
Can I check a motorcycle or van?
Yes — VRMCheck works for all UK-registered vehicles including cars, vans, motorcycles, LCVs and HGVs.
Is the free check really free?
Yes — MOT status, tax status and basic vehicle spec are always free. No card required, no signup needed.
More detail on how a VRMCheck works.
Who runs VRMCheck?
VRMCheck is a UK vehicle history and valuation service operated by COLLINGHAMCO. The service is run from the United Kingdom for UK buyers, dealers and motor traders, and VRMCheck operates as a trading name of COLLINGHAMCO.
Every check is built from official and licensed sources: MOT history from DVSA, vehicle identity and tax status from DVLA, and finance, write-off, stolen, keeper and plate history from Experian AutoCheck. We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (reference CSN6229048) and handle registration lookups under UK GDPR. You can read exactly how each field is sourced on the data sources & methodology page.
Questions before you buy, or a report that needs putting right? Email hello@vrmcheck.uk or call 01909 492259. Full company details are on the about page and the contact page.
Ready to check your plate?
Free to start · Full report from £5.97 · Instant results · No signup needed
Data Integrity
DVLA & DVSA
Official Data
Security number:
CSN6229048