Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our free vehicle check, MOT history, premium reports, and more.
Vehicle Checks
Is the vehicle check really free?
Yes, completely free. CheckMyReg provides instant access to vehicle details, MOT history, tax status, and more at no cost. There is no registration required and no hidden fees for the free check. We also offer a premium report with additional checks for a one-off fee.
What information is included in the free vehicle check?
The free check includes vehicle specifications (make, colour, fuel type, engine size, year of manufacture), current MOT status and full MOT history with advisories and failures, tax status and expiry date, CO2 emissions, ULEZ compliance data, and mileage records from MOT tests.
How do I check a vehicle's registration?
Simply enter the vehicle's registration number on the CheckMyReg homepage and click search. Results are displayed instantly. You can check any UK-registered vehicle using any number plate format — current, prefix, suffix, or dateless.
What vehicles can I check?
You can check any vehicle registered in England, Scotland, or Wales with the DVLA. This includes cars, vans, motorcycles, and other vehicle types. Northern Ireland vehicles are registered through a different system and may have limited data available.
How accurate is the vehicle check data?
All data comes directly from official government sources — the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) for vehicle details and tax status, and the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) for MOT history. Data is retrieved in real-time so it is always up to date.
MOT & Tax
How do I check my car's MOT history?
Enter your registration number on CheckMyReg to see the complete MOT history for your vehicle. This includes every test result, mileage readings, advisory notices, and failure reasons going back to 2005.
Can I check a vehicle's tax status online?
Yes. CheckMyReg shows the current tax status for any UK vehicle alongside MOT and vehicle details. You can see whether a vehicle is taxed, has a SORN declared, or is untaxed.
What are the most common MOT failures?
The most common MOT failures include lighting and signalling faults (blown bulbs, misaligned headlights), suspension issues, brake problems, tyre defects, and windscreen/wiper issues. Many of these are simple, inexpensive fixes.
When is my MOT due?
Enter your registration number into our free MOT checker to see your current MOT expiry date. Vehicles must have a valid MOT from their third anniversary of registration. You can book your MOT up to one month before the expiry date without losing any time on the certificate.
Is my car taxed? How do I check road tax?
Enter your reg number into our free car tax checker to instantly see if your car is taxed. Our DVLA vehicle check shows your current road tax status, tax rate, expiry date, and whether a SORN has been declared — all from official DVLA records.
How do I check car tax and MOT status together?
Our free vehicle check shows both car tax status and MOT status on a single page. Enter any UK reg to see road tax status, MOT expiry date, full MOT history with advisories and failures, and complete vehicle details — all from official DVLA and DVSA data.
What happens if my MOT expires?
Driving without a valid MOT is illegal and can result in a fine of up to £1,000. Your car insurance may also be invalidated. The only exception is driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test appointment. If your MOT has lapsed, you should book a test as soon as possible.
Premium Reports
What's included in the premium car history check?
The premium report includes a stolen vehicle check against police databases, outstanding finance check, insurance write-off history (Cat A/B/S/N), plate change history, and import/export status. These checks go beyond what the free check offers and are essential when buying a used car.
How do I check if a car is stolen?
The premium report on CheckMyReg checks the vehicle against police stolen vehicle databases, including the Police National Computer (PNC). If a vehicle has been reported stolen, this will be flagged in the report.
What is a car finance check?
A finance check reveals whether a vehicle has outstanding Hire Purchase (HP), PCP, or lease finance owed against it. If there is outstanding finance, the finance company is the legal owner and could repossess the car — even from an innocent buyer.
How quickly do I receive the premium report?
Premium reports are delivered instantly after payment. There is no waiting — the report is generated in real-time and displayed immediately on screen. You can also access it from your account at any time.
Can I get a refund on a premium report?
Premium reports are non-refundable once generated, as the data is retrieved and delivered instantly. If you experience any issues with your report, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
Data & Privacy
Where does the vehicle check data come from?
All vehicle data comes from official UK government sources. Vehicle details and tax status are sourced from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). MOT history comes from the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). Premium report data comes from police and insurance industry databases.
What if the data doesn't match the vehicle?
If you notice discrepancies between the data shown and the actual vehicle, this could be a red flag — especially if the colour, engine size, or mileage don't match. Contact us to report the issue, and consider it a warning sign if you are buying the vehicle.
How often is the data updated?
Data is retrieved in real-time from government APIs each time you perform a check. This means you always see the most current information available from the DVLA and DVSA, not cached or outdated records.
Is my personal data safe?
Yes. We take data privacy seriously. We do not store registration numbers from free checks beyond short-term caching. Payment data is handled securely by Stripe. We comply with UK GDPR regulations.
Buying & Selling Cars
What checks should I do before buying a used car?
Before buying, you should run a free vehicle check for MOT history and tax status, consider a premium report for stolen, finance, and write-off checks, verify the V5C logbook details, physically inspect the car, and take a test drive. Our comprehensive guide walks you through every step.
What are insurance write-off categories?
Cars deemed uneconomical to repair by insurers are given a write-off category. Category A (scrap only) and B (parts salvage only) are the most severe. Category S (structural damage) and N (non-structural damage) can be repaired and returned to the road.
How do I verify a car's mileage?
Check the mileage records from MOT tests on CheckMyReg. Mileage is recorded at every MOT and should steadily increase year on year. If the mileage drops or shows unusual jumps, the car may have been clocked (odometer tampered with).
What is a V5C logbook?
The V5C is a registration certificate issued by the DVLA that records the registered keeper of a vehicle. It is commonly called the logbook. Importantly, it is not proof of ownership — the registered keeper and the legal owner can be different people.
How do I check if a car is ULEZ compliant?
CheckMyReg's free check shows the vehicle's fuel type, CO2 emissions, and Euro status, which determine ULEZ compliance. Generally, petrol cars from 2006 onwards and diesel cars from September 2015 onwards meet the ULEZ standards.
Still Have a Question?
Get in touch with our team or run a free vehicle check to find the answers you need.