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- Lowest price check
- Great Customers Review
- Fast and Accurate
Number Plate Check UK
Check any UK-registered vehicle with our number plate check tool. View specs, MOT status, tax, and first registered date for free. Upgrade to a full car check to verify finance, write off, theft, mileage, log book history, and more.
What Is a Number Plate Check?
A number plate check is a quick way to find important details about any vehicle using its registration number. It helps you check information like MOT status, tax, logbook history, previous keepers, mileage, and if the car has been stolen or written off.
Checking a number plate before buying a car helps you avoid car scams and hidden problems. It gives you the real story behind the vehicle, not just what the seller says. A reg number check helps make a smart choice, know the car’s true condition, and be sure it’s safe and legal to drive.
Why Run a Number Plate Check in the UK?
A car number plate check is an important step in the used car-buying process. This allows you to view the complete history of any vehicle registered and taxed in the UK, including auction records, MOT history, theft records, insurance write off check, and more.
Here are a few reasons why a number plate check is crucial:
Check for Outstanding Debts
A number plate check can show if a car has any unpaid finance, loans, or taxes. If you buy a car with hidden debts, you could become responsible for paying them, leading to serious financial trouble later.
Measure Car’s Safety and Reliability
A plate check helps you know if the car was written off, rebuilt, or imported. It reveals past damage or repairs and confirms whether the vehicle meets UK safety standards, keeping you and your passengers safe on the road.
Confirm Legal Ownership
A number plate check confirms that the seller is the real and legal owner of the vehicle. This helps prevent buying a stolen car, protects your rights, and ensures you can register and use the vehicle legally.
Prevent Auto Fraud
A plate check helps you avoid used car scams by spotting cloned or fake number plates. It protects you from buying cars linked to crime, false ads, or stolen vehicles, saving you from expensive legal or financial problems.
How to Get the Number Plate Check Report?
Our number plate check allows you to access detailed vehicle history in seconds. You can do it all online in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Enter the Reg Number
Type the vehicle’s registration number into the form above.
Step 2: Click “Search”
Click “Search” to access the vehicle’s year, make, model, colour, MOT and tax status, and when it was first registered.
Step 3: Upgrade for a Full Report
For a small fee, you can unlock the full vehicle history report. This includes checks for outstanding finance, accident history, write-offs, mileage records, stolen status, and much more, everything you need before buying.
What’s Included in Our Number Plate Check Report?
A number plate check gives you all the details you need before making any decisions about a vehicle, especially if you are in the market for used vehicles. Here’s what to expect with our premium car reg check:
Outstanding Finance
This means the car still legally belongs to the bank or finance company, not the seller. If you buy it, the lender can take the car back. Check for unpaid finance and avoid repossession.
Insurance Written Off Records
Verify if the vehicle has been declared a total loss due to damage and find out the write-off category - Cat A, B, S, N, or F. This helps you know if the car was ever in a serious accident, so you can decide if it’s safe and worth your money.
Mileage Records and Discrepancies
Check the mileage history to verify if the car’s mileage has been tampered with (clocked).. This helps you know the car’s true condition and pay a fair price to buy it.
Stolen Car Records
Confirm whether the vehicle has been reported stolen in the past. Stolen vehicles could be seized by the police, and you’ll lose your money.
High-Risk Records
Check whether a third party has an interest in a vehicle and is tracking it to avoid it being sold. Don’t buy vehicles with fraudulent backgrounds.
Detailed Vehicle Specifications
Be sure that the car’s original specs match what the seller displays, such as the year, make, model, colour, engine, dimensions, and more.
Scrapped Records
Check if the vehicle has been officially scrapped and given a Certificate of Destruction. If scrapped, it is not roadworthy and should be avoided.
Auction History
Verify if the car has been sold at an auction, which could indicate salvage records, damage, or issues. View up to ten images of the vehicle.
Plate/Colour Change History
Check if the vehicle's number plate or colour has been changed in the past. These changes can sometimes hide a car’s true identity or past damage.
Ownership Records
Learn about how many owners the car has had. A high number of previous owners/keepers could suggest the car has reoccurring problems.
Imported/Exported Records
Check if the vehicle has been imported or exported. Such cars could have hidden issues from overseas markets, and you can spot them with a check.
Log Book (V5C) History
Confirm the legal owner of a vehicle by checking and verifying that the car’s registration details are legitimate and up to date.
MOT History Check
Check the vehicle’s MOT test results, including any failures or advisories. This helps to understand the car’s condition and whether any previous issues were resolved.
Road Tax (VED) Status
Be sure that the vehicle has a valid road tax. If the car isn’t taxed, it may not be roadworthy, and you could face fines for driving it.
VIC Inspected Record
Confirm the car’s identity and be sure it’s not stolen, cloned, or tampered with. This helps protect you from fraud and gives confidence that the vehicle is genuine and safe to buy.
Why Choose Smart Car Check Number Plate Check?
Thousands of car buyers and sellers trust Smart Car Check for accurate, detailed, and affordable car history reports. Here are reasons why people like you choose us:
100% Trusted Data Sources
We use reliable UK sources like DVLA, Police National Computer, MIAFTR, and insurance databases to ensure accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date vehicle records. information.
Affordable Price, No Hidden Charges
Enjoy full car details at a fair price (a fraction of the top providers). No hidden costs, just simple, honest pricing for complete peace of mind.
Supports For Cars, Trucks, and Motorbikes
Smart Car Check provides support for cars, trucks, and motorbikes, giving full history reports for all types of vehicles so you can buy or sell with total confidence.
80+ Checks Per Report
Each number plate report includes 80+ checks, from mileage and MOT history to finance, theft, and write-off records.
Instant Car Check Report
Get your car history report in seconds. Just enter the registration number and instantly access full vehicle background details online.
Over 35 Million UK Vehicle Records
We access over 35 million vehicle records, ensuring our reports are complete, reliable, and cover all UK-registered cars.
Who Can Get a Number Plate Check?
Anyone who wants to know a vehicle’s full history can use a number plate check. It’s useful for many people in the car market, including the groups below.
Used Car Buyers
Buyers use number plate checks to confirm a car’s details before purchase. It helps them spot problems like unpaid finance, write-offs, or stolen records, ensuring a safe and smart deal.
Used Car Dealers
Dealers run number plate checks to confirm a vehicle’s history before listing it for sale. It builds trust with buyers and protects their business from selling risky or fake cars.
Insurance Companies
Insurance providers use number plate checks to verify car details and history. This helps them assess risk, set fair premiums, and detect possible fraud or false claims.
Repair Shops
Repair shops use number plate checks to identify correct vehicle parts and specs. It ensures accurate repairs and confirms the car hasn’t been tampered with or had major damage.
Finance Companies
Finance companies check number plates before offering loans to confirm ownership and car condition. This helps prevent lending on stolen or high-risk vehicles and protects their investments.
Vehicle Importers
Importers use number plate checks to confirm if a car meets UK standards. It helps them verify a vehicle’s origin, tax, and MOT history before selling or registering it locally.
Get a Number Plate Check Now
Run a number plate check to expose scams, falsified logbook details, and hidden risks. Get accurate data straight from DVLA and other UK trusted databases, to make a safe, smart purchase today.
FAQs About Number Plate Check
Where can I find a car's registration plate?
The car’s registration plate can be found on the front and rear of the vehicle. You can also find the vehicle’s registration details, including the number plate.
How do I check if a vehicle has had any plate changes?
You can check if a vehicle has had any plate changes by performing a number plate check. The tool will provide information on any registration plate changes in the vehicle’s history. All you need to do is fill out the form on this page and submit it. You will immediately receive a detailed report on plate changes and other records.
Should I buy a car that’s had a plate change?
It depends on the reason for the plate change. If the plate change was due to damage, theft, or an attempt to hide the vehicle’s history, it’s best to approach with caution and avoid the purchase altogether.
How can I verify the original number plate of a car?
You can verify a car’s original number plate by checking the V5C logbook and performing a number plate check. This reveals any plate changes and ownership history and helps detect potential fraud or hidden damage. Get a car history check today.
Is a plate change a cause for concern?
Not always, but a plate change can be a cause for concern. Unexplained changes may indicate past damage or an attempt to hide a vehicle’s history. So keep an eye out and find out everything you can.
Could my number plate be connected to another car?
It’s rare, but possible due to cloning and other fraudulent acts. A number plate check can help you confirm if your plate is linked to another vehicle, and you can easily spot and avoid scams.
Can I find the car owner by registration number?
No, you can’t see personal owner details like name and address due to UK privacy laws. However, a number plate check shows the number of previous keepers, plate changes, and checks for records like finance, insurance write-off, stolen, and more.
Can I find out who a license plate belongs to?
No, personal details like names or addresses are never shared. You can only view general information, such as the car’s make, model, age, MOT, and tax details for free. There is also a premium car check that helps check for records like outstanding finance, ownership, MOT history, logbook history, and more.
How accurate are number plate checks?
Smart Car Check’s number plate check is very accurate because our data comes directly from trusted UK sources like the DVLA, DVSA, police, MIAFTR, and insurance databases.
Is it legal to perform a number plate check?
Yes, it’s absolutely legal. Number plate checks only show public vehicle data, and not the private owner’s details. It’s a safe and legal way to learn about a car’s past, condition, and future maintenance costs.
Can I still get a report with a private number plate?
Yes, you can enter the registration number of any vehicle registered and taxed in the UK into our number plate check tool to access the detailed vehicle history. So if a car has a private or personalised plate, our car history check tool can trace its full history using the registration or VIN number linked to it.
