Car History Check
Free & Paid Reports from CarVeto for UK Motorists
Check Car History
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Verify Car History
Are you thinking about buying a used car in the UK? Run a CarVeto car history check to reveal the vehicle’s complete background instantly.
You can access a report with the registration number that uncovers the car’s legal status, MOT history, mileage trends, finance checks, and more.
CarVeto offers a free car check for quick insights and a Platinum-level car history check for full coverage.
Each report is powered by trusted sources, including:
- The DVLA – for tax, MOT, and keeper history
- MIAFTR – for insurance write-off classifications (Cat A, B, S, N)
- The Police National Computer (PNC) – for stolen vehicle alerts
- BVRLA and RMI – for verified mileage and service validation
Unlike basic online lookups, a CarVeto car history check gives you a 360° view of the vehicle’s past, helping you avoid costly surprises like:
- Outstanding finance
- Logbook loans
- Cloned VINs
- Owner flipping
- Number plate alterations
👉 Start your CarVeto car history check now and buy with complete confidence.
What is a Car History Check? Why Every UK Buyer Needs One
A car history check is a digital report that reveals everything you need to know about a used vehicle before purchase. It protects UK buyers from hidden risks such as fraud, theft, structural damage, and undisclosed finance agreements.
Using a car’s registration number, a CarVeto car history check cross-references multiple national databases to confirm:
- If the vehicle has been written off or scrapped
- Whether it’s under outstanding finance or a logbook loan
- If it has been reported as stolen or cloned
- Whether the VIN matches the V5C logbook
- How many previous keepers it has had, and when they changed
- A full breakdown of its MOT history and mileage trends
Unlike a standard DVLA check, CarVeto combines government data with industry intelligence to deliver a full-spectrum, legally compliant car history check for UK drivers.
Whether you’re buying privately or from a dealership, a CarVeto car history check provides the transparency needed to make a safe, informed decision.
CarVeto Free vs. Premium Car History Checks – What's the Difference?
When comparing a free car history check with a full Platinum report from CarVeto, the difference is in the depth of data and risk coverage.
What’s Included in a Free Car History Check?
With CarVeto’s free car check, UK motorists receive instant, government-backed data pulled directly from the DVLA, including:
- Vehicle make, model, engine size, and fuel type
- Colour, body style, and vehicle classification
- Date of first registration and V5C issue date
- Road tax status, tax band, and MOT expiry date
- Entire MOT test history, including pass/fail outcomes and mileage logs
- CO₂ emissions rating, Euro emissions class, and SORN/export status
This free report offers more depth than most providers, helping you screen vehicles before shortlisting or enquiring.
What's Included in a Premium (Platinum) Car History Check?
The Platinum report is CarVeto’s most comprehensive car history check, which is designed for pre-purchase due diligence.
It includes everything from the free version, plus:
🔍 Legal & Financial Risk Detection
- Outstanding finance check via Experian Asset Register
- Logbook loan detection
- Insurance write-off classification (Cat A, B, S, N) from MIAFTR
- Stolen vehicle status via the Police National Computer (PNC)
🔍 Identity & Ownership Validation
- Total number of previous keepers and their transfer dates
- Region of DVLA registration
- Number plate change history, including private transfers
- VIN check (last 4 digits) to detect tampering or cloning
- Full engine number for cross-referencing documentation
🔍 Mileage & Mechanical Confidence
- MOT mileage history (DVLA)
- Lease mileage data (BVRLA)
- Garage service mileage (RMI)
- Detection of mileage anomalies or rollback evidence
🔍 Additional Risk Indicators
- Scrappage status and Q-plate registration
- VIC inspection flag for previous repairs or identity concerns
- Updated tax band, emissions efficiency, and environmental compliance
A CarVeto Premium car history check is built to flag hidden problems that could impact the vehicle’s legality, value, or safety.
How to Run a Car History Check by Reg Number or VIN with CarVeto
Running a car history check in the UK is fast, simple, and highly effective with CarVeto.
All you need is the vehicle’s registration number (VRM). CarVeto delivers a detailed vehicle history report within seconds, verified by authoritative data sources.
Step by Step Guide to Running a CarVeto Car History Check
- Run a Free Car Check
- Enter the registration number in the search field
- Choose your report – Select a Free car history check or upgrade to Platinum
- View your results instantly, including MOT history, tax status, and deeper checks if selected
Whether you're checking a car listed on Auto Trader, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or a dealership forecourt, a CarVeto car history check helps you validate the car’s background before making contact or placing a deposit.
How to Verify a Car’s VIN With CarVeto
To verify a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you’ll need to run a CarVeto Platinum check.
Included in the report:
- The last 4 digits of the VIN
- Ability to match the VIN on the chassis and V5C logbook
- Protection against VIN tampering, cloning, or chassis swaps
This is essential for verifying the vehicle’s identity, particularly for imported cars, rebuilds, or high-risk private sales.
What Data Is Checked with Just the Reg Number?
A CarVeto check using only the registration number retrieves data from:
- DVLA – tax, MOT, V5C, emissions, keeper history
- MIAFTR – write-off classification
- MIB - Insurance payout
- PNC – theft and stolen alerts
- Experian Asset Register – finance & logbook loan checks
- BVRLA and RMI – lease and garage mileage verification
What’s Included in a CarVeto Car History Check?
Every CarVeto car history check, whether the free version or the full Platinum report, delivers verified data from official UK sources.
The report highlights ownership history, financial risks, identity fraud, and vehicle condition, giving UK buyers complete confidence before purchase.
Core Vehicle Identity & DVLA Registration Checks
- Vehicle registration number and classification
- Make, model, engine size, and fuel type
- Change of Address on V5, and date of first registration
- Vehicle colour, body style, and DVLA status flags (SORN, export)
These fields are included in the Free and Premium car history checks, pulled directly from the DVLA database.
Legal, Financial & Theft Checks (Platinum Only)
- Outstanding finance validation (Experian Asset Register)
- Logbook loan detection
- Write-off alerts via MIAFTR (Cat A, B, S, N or old-style C & D)
- Theft status via the Police National Computer (PNC)
This part of the report identifies vehicles with legal or financial encumbrances, often missed in a visual inspection.
Ownership History & Number Plate Changes
- Total number of previous keepers
- Transfer dates and region of registration
- Plate change events, including private plate transfers, dates and past reg numbers
This is essential for detecting patterns like ownership flipping, salvage title laundering, or resold accident-damaged vehicles.
VIN, Mileage & Mechanical Validation
- Final 4 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Cross-checkable against the V5C logbook
- Full MOT mileage logs (DVLA)
- Lease and fleet mileage from BVRLA
- Service mileage from the RMI
- Detection of mileage rollback or inconsistencies
These insights help you verify the vehicle’s history and physical state are aligned.
Environmental & Compliance Data
- Road tax band and CO₂ emissions
- Euro emissions classification
- Q-plate registration flag
- VIC inspection record, if previously required
- Scrappage status, showing deregistration, write-off disposal and salvage
Environmental status helps buyers calculate running costs and verify the car’s eligibility for clean air zones or exemptions.
Red Flags CarVeto Detects in a Car History Check
Even pristine-looking vehicles can hide invisible risks from mileage fraud to stolen identity cloning. A CarVeto car history check runs over 50 structured data checks, combining information from the DVLA, PNC, MIAFTR, BVRLA, and RMI, to uncover issues that standard MOT or Car Tax Check may miss entirely.
🚨 7 Common Red Flags Found in UK Car Sales
🔍 Risk Category | ⚠️ Red Flag Detected |
|---|---|
Mileage Fraud | Odometer rollback, inconsistencies between MOT and service records |
Finance Issues | Active logbook loans or vehicles under outstanding finance |
Write-Off Risk | Category A/B (irreparable), Category S/N (repairable but undeclared) |
Stolen Cars | Police alerts via the PNC, VIN mismatch with DVLA and logbook |
Identity Fraud | Cloned VIN, false plate transfers, frequent keeper changes |
Plate Tampering | Private plate swaps to disguise a car’s history or past ownership |
DVLA Scrappage | Flagged as scrapped, re-registered, or subject to VIC inspection |
🛑 Why These Red Flags Matter
These high-risk indicators are often intentionally hidden during private or trade sales. A CarVeto car history check reveals them before you commit, so you can negotiate smarter, avoid scams, or walk away safely.
Built for UK Drivers. Trusted by Data. Powered by CarVeto.
Whether you’re using a free car history check for early due diligence or a Platinum report for full risk coverage, CarVeto gives you the insights needed to:
- Detect hidden problems
- Confirm vehicle legitimacy
- Safeguard your purchase from financial or legal exposure
Each CarVeto report is structured for clarity, powered by official UK data, and tailored to meet the needs of real-world buyers, whether you're purchasing from a private seller, dealership, or online marketplace.