Free Stolen Car Check & Vehicle Check UK
Check if a car is stolen before you buy. Enter any UK number plate for an instant stolen car check, powered by DVLA data and police records.
What is a Stolen Car Check?
Stolen Car Check: How It Works
A stolen car check is a lookup that tells you whether a vehicle has been reported stolen to the police. Our free vehicle check cross-references the registration number against the Police National Computer (PNC), DVLA records, and insurance databases to flag any stolen markers.
When a car is reported stolen, it is logged on the police database with its registration number, VIN, and other identifying details. A vehicle check queries this database and lets you know instantly whether the vehicle is recorded as stolen before you hand over any money.
Our stolen car check also returns basic DVLA data including make, model, year, fuel type, and MOT status, giving you a snapshot of the car's background.
Why Stolen Vehicles Are a Risk When Buying
Buying a stolen car is illegal. Even if you didn't know the vehicle was stolen when you purchased it, you could be committing handling stolen goods, a serious criminal offence. The vehicle will also be seized by police, and you will lose both the car and your money.
Criminal Liability
Purchasing a stolen vehicle, even unknowingly, can result in criminal charges for handling stolen goods.
Financial Loss
The police can seize a stolen vehicle at any time. You lose the car and any money paid, with no legal right to keep it.
If you discover after purchase that the vehicle has been stolen, you should call the police on 101 immediately and report it to the police. Note the crime reference number given to you, as your insurer will need it if you wish to make a claim.
Avoid Buying a Stolen Car: Check First
The simplest way to avoid buying a stolen car is to run a quick free stolen car check before you buy. Our service tells you in seconds whether a car is stolen, whether it has outstanding finance, and whether the MOT history looks consistent.
For a full car history check, unlock our detailed report. This includes a complete vehicle history check with mileage records, MOT test dates and advisories, V5C ownership history, DVLA data, and insurance write-off markers, everything you need to buy with confidence.
Our data guarantee means that if our vehicle check confirms data that is later proven incorrect, you are entitled to a full refund. We use only verified DVLA and police database sources to ensure accuracy.
How to Check If a Car Is Stolen
Three simple steps to verify any UK vehicle
Enter the Number Plate
Type the vehicle's registration number into our search box above. No VIN needed, just the number plate.
We Run the Check
We instantly query DVLA, police database, and MOT records. Our free car check service returns results in seconds.
Get Your Report
View the vehicle's stolen status, basic DVLA data, and MOT history. Unlock the full history report for deeper details.
Run a Free Stolen Car Check Now
Check any UK vehicle instantly. No account needed.
Check a Car Now →What Our Vehicle Check Covers
Police Stolen Check (PNC)
Our stolen car check queries the Police National Computer, the central UK database used by every police force in England, Wales, and Scotland. When a car is reported stolen to police, it is immediately flagged on this police database. Our check verifies whether the vehicle carries any active police stolen markers at the time of your search.
If a vehicle is recorded as stolen, our report will clearly flag this so you can take action. You should ask the seller to explain the discrepancy, or contact police immediately.
DVLA Data & V5C Verification
Our vehicle check retrieves DVLA data including the registered keeper history, registration date, colour, fuel type, engine size, and car tax check status. We verify that the vehicle's details match what's recorded on the V5C logbook.
A v5c (also called the logbook) is the official registration document for every UK vehicle. If the details in the v5c don't match the actual car, such as an engine number mismatch or different colour, this could indicate the vehicle has been cloned. Our check flags these discrepancies. Always double-check the V5C against the physical car and ask the seller if anything looks wrong.
MOT History & Mileage Check
Our car check includes full MOT history from the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). This lets you see every MOT test result, advisory notices, and recorded mileage at each test date. Inconsistent mileage readings (where mileage appears to decrease or jump unexpectedly) are a red flag for odometer fraud.
Regular MOT history also confirms the vehicle has been maintained and was roadworthy. A gap in MOT records combined with high claimed mileage warrants further investigation. Check whether a vehicle is untaxed or has an expired MOT before completing any purchase.
VIN & Vehicle Identification Check
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character identifier stamped into the chassis and recorded in the V5C logbook. A vehicle identification number is essential for vehicle identification: no two vehicles share the same VIN. Our report verifies whether the VIN recorded with DVLA matches the number on the physical vehicle.
A mismatch between the VIN on the car and the v5c logbook is one of the clearest signs that a vehicle may be a clone, a stolen car wearing the identity of a legitimate vehicle. If you encounter this, do not purchase. Report it to the police immediately.
Outstanding Finance Check
Our vehicle history check includes a check for outstanding finance. If a car has an active finance agreement, the finance company is technically the legal owner, and selling the car without settling the finance first is fraud. Our full vehicle report shows whether any finance is registered against the vehicle, protecting you from unknowingly buy a car that isn't legally free to sell.
Car Theft in the UK: Why You Must Check
Stolen Vehicles in the UK: The Scale of the Problem
Vehicle theft is a major problem stolen in the UK, with over 100,000 vehicles reported stolen each year. Many of these end up reported stolen after being re-sold through online marketplaces, car boot sales, and even some dealerships. Without a stolen car check, buyers have no way to know whether a car is stolen.
Some stolen vehicles are re-plated (replacing the number plate and sometimes the logbook) to disguise their true identity. Others are cloned, where a stolen car is given the registration number of a legitimately registered vehicle of the same make and model. This makes it harder to spot through visual inspection alone.
Running a free stolen check takes seconds and could save you thousands of pounds. It can also protect you from unwittingly committing a crime. Always get a vehicle check before parting with any money. Know stolen before you buy, not after.
Signs a Used Car May Be Stolen
- •Seller reluctant to let you see the v5c logbook
- •VIN on the car doesn't match the registration number on the logbook
- •Price is far below market value for the make and model
- •Seller insists on a cash sale and wants to meet in a public car park
- •Scratched or damaged VIN plate on the dashboard or door frame
- •The mileage shown doesn't match the mot history records
How to Buy a Used Car Safely
- ✓Always run a car check before viewing
- ✓Ask to see the v5c logbook and check it matches the car
- ✓Check the original owner matches the name in the logbook
- ✓Use our tool to check a car's history for free
- ✓Run a history check to look for outstanding finance
- ✓Get your vehicle check confirms everything is in order before signing
Free Stolen Car Check vs Full History Report
| Feature | Free Car Check | Full History Report |
|---|---|---|
| Stolen check (Police Database) | – | ✓ |
| Basic DVLA Data (make, model, year) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MOT status (pass/fail) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full MOT history & advisories | – | ✓ |
| Mileage history records | – | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance check | – | ✓ |
| Write-off / insurance markers | – | ✓ |
| Full V5C ownership history | – | ✓ |
| VIN verification | – | ✓ |
| Price | FREE | Unlock Now |
Whether you need a quick free stolen check or a comprehensive full car history check, CarStolenCheck has you covered. Check whether a car is clean before you buy. It only takes seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About Stolen Car Checks
Expert guides on vehicle checks, stolen car prevention, and buying a used car safely.
How to Check If a Car Is Stolen Before You Buy
A complete guide to using police databases, DVLA records, and free car check tools to verify any used car.
Read Article →Get Your Free Stolen Car Check Now
Enter any UK registration number. Instant results. No account needed.
Start Free Check →Ready to Check the Car?
Our stolen car check is the quickest way to verify any UK vehicle. Use our car check service to view the car's history, no login required.
Questions? Contact our support team. We reply within 6-12 hours.