Stolen Car Check

Every year, thousands of innocent UK buyers unknowingly purchase stolen vehicles and lose them instantly when authorities catch up. No refund. No help. Avoid this by running a stolen car check by reg.

Stolen Cars Don’t Come with Refunds!

A stolen vehicle can be seized at any time, even if you paid full price to the seller and have paperwork. You won’t get your money back, and insurance won’t help.

0 + vehicle

375,000+ vehicle thefts reported in England and Wales in 2024.

0 cars

7 cars are stolen every hour across the UK, about 168 cars per day.

0 %

Around 79% of car thefts remain unsolved nationwide.

The only way to know for sure is to check before you buy.

Why You Should Always Run a Stolen Car Check?

What’s Included in a Stolen Car Check Report?

Our concise stolen check report typically includes information on whether the car has been reported stolen, as well as a full breakdown of the vehicle’s stolen history, so you can make a truly informed decision.

Here is a list of what you can find in a stolen car check report:

Number of stolen records

Find out the total number of times this vehicle was reported as stolen.

Current stolen status

The report shows if the vehicle is still listed as stolen right now.

Stolen date

View the exact date the theft was recorded at the police.

Stolen contact number

Find out who to call to report or verify the theft.

Stolen police force

Learn the exact police force where the theft was recorded.

Date of entry

View the date the stolen vehicle record was first entered into the database.

Date of loss

The report shows the exact date the vehicle was officially declared stolen.

Type of loss

You’ll see whether the vehicle’s loss was due to theft, fraud, etc.

Loss category

Check the insurance/theft classification used by authorities.

Our concise stolen check report typically includes information on whether the car has been reported stolen, as well as a full breakdown of the vehicle’s stolen history, so you can make a truly informed decision.

Here is a list of what you can find in a stolen car check report:

Outstanding finance

Written-off records

Stolen records

High-risk records

Vehicle specifications

Scrapped records

Auction history

Plate/colour change

Ownership records

Imported records

Exported records

Logbook history

MOT history

Road tax

VIC Inspected Records

VIN Number Check

How to Check if a Car Is Stolen in the UK?

The Stolen Car Check tool provided by Smart Car Check is a simple and easy-to-use tool that allows you to check whether a vehicle has been reported as stolen. All you need to carry out this search is your number plate.

Here’s how to check if a vehicle is stolen or has stolen records:

Fact 1

Enter the VIN

Enter the vehicle registration number in the search bar or search by VIN.

Fact 2

Click “Search”

Click on the “Search” button to initiate the search.

Fact 3

View Report

That’s it! You’ll be presented with a report detailing whether the vehicle has been marked as stolen or not.

A stolen car check with our stolen car database takes only a few seconds and could save you time, court cases, and a lot of money.

What’s the Risk of Buying a Stolen Car?

A buyer paid £5,000 for a used car they found online. It looked legit and even passed a brief inspection. But weeks later, the DVLA flagged issues with the logbook. An inspection revealed the car was stolen, with a tampered chassis number.

The police seized the car and returned it to the original owner’s insurer.

The buyer lost everything: the car, the money, and any chance of getting it back.

Without a Stolen Car Check With a Stolen Car Check (SmartCarCheck)
Vehicle Status Unknown - could be stolen. Verified against police stolen vehicle records.
Ownership Risk High - you could lose the car. Low - you're protected with proof before purchase.
Financial Loss Likely - no refund or recovery. Avoided - prevent paying for a stolen vehicle.
Legal Trouble Possible involvement with police. Peace of mind with verified data.
Emotional Stress Severe - confusion and stress. Confidence in your purchase.

Check Smart Car Check Sample Reports

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ Vito 113 CDi Dualiner

2014 Mercedes-Benz Vito 113

REG: WR64DXU
Style / Bodywork: Panel Van
Engine: 2143 cc
Origin: Spain

2015-mazda

2015 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Nav

REG: PX65XDL
Style / Bodywork: SUV Estate
Engine: 1998 cc
Origin: Japan

2020-tesla

2020 Tesla Model 3

REG: LJ70ZGE
Style / Bodywork: Saloon
Engine: 3D5
Origin: UK

2008 Vauxhall Corsa

2008 Vauxhall Corsa SXi

REG: NH08XLU
Style / Bodywork: Hatchback
Engine: 1229 cc
Origin: Germany

Expert Tips to Avoid Buying a Stolen Car

Buying a stolen vehicle can be a frustrating and costly experience, not to mention it is illegal. Here are some must-do steps to avoid buying a vehicle that might be on the UK police stolen vehicle database:

Check the vehicle’s history

Before committing to a purchase, you must verify the vehicle’s history and get a history report. Easily view stolen records, ownership, auction records, MOT history, and more with a check.

Verify the seller’s identity

Always ask for ID and proof of ownership. If the seller cannot provide these documents or they look fake, it could be a sign that the vehicle is stolen. Double-check insurance details if necessary.

Use caution when buying from private sellers

Check the seller’s background and meet in a public place to make the transaction. If the seller seems unwilling to provide vehicle registration information and documents, it could be a sign that the vehicle is stolen.

Buy from a reputable dealer

Buying from a reputable dealer can help reduce the risk of buying a stolen vehicle. Dealerships follow strict rules and usually run full vehicle checks, reducing your risk significantly.

Don’t Risk Your Savings - Run a Stolen Car Check Now

A stolen car check costs less than a takeaway and could save you thousands. Use our simple DVLA stolen car check online tool today!

Types of Car History Checks

Car Check Services

Get our Smart Car Check Mobile App

Are you looking for the best car history check UK? Make a smart decision with Smart Car Check App. Perform a Reg. number check in the UK to uncover any past problems and hidden history that the seller will not tell you.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can get a free stolen car check with the DVLA’s free online vehicle enquiry service. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides a police history check where you can get a car stolen check of any vehicle registered in the UK. This includes information on whether the car has been reported as stolen. Note, however, that a paid data check will provide more vehicle information compared to a free car check.

You can get a police stolen vehicle check with the form on this page. Simply enter the license plate number, submit the form, and get a report showing theft records, and other vehicle history.

Yes, stolen cars can be traced by law enforcement agencies using GPS tracking systems, license plate recognition technology, and other tools.

If you suspect a car is stolen, you should contact local law enforcement agencies and provide them with the vehicle’s license plate number, make, model, and color. Do not attempt to confront the suspected thief or take matters into your own hands.

No, it is not legal to buy a stolen car, even if you did not know it was stolen at the time of purchase. If you unknowingly purchase a stolen car, you could face legal consequences and lose the vehicle without any compensation. Got a stolen vehicle on your hands? Call the Police today.

Yes, you can get a stolen motorbike check (or any stolen vehicle check) with our vehicle history check tool. Simply fill out the form on this page to get a full history report.