Free MOT & DVLA checks

How to find a car’s details from its registration number

Updated 3 September 2026 · 2 min read · by DealerPricing

Enter any UK registration into the DealerPricing free DVLA check to see the car’s make, year, colour, fuel type, engine size, CO2 emissions, Euro status, first registration month and the date the V5C logbook was last issued, plus tax and MOT status. It takes seconds and costs nothing.

Free MOT history, tax status and DVLA details. No signup.

Step by step

  1. Open the free DVLA check

    The DealerPricing free check queries the DVLA vehicle enquiry service and the DVSA MOT database together.

    Free DVLA check →

  2. Enter the registration and click "Free Check"

    Type the number plate with or without spaces. No account or email is needed. The result appears in a few seconds with the DVLA details.

    The DealerPricing free check form with a registration entered and the Free Check button
    The DealerPricing free check form with a registration entered and the Free Check button

  3. Read the vehicle details

    The result card shows the make and year, then nine tiles: colour, fuel type, engine size, tax due, MOT expiry, CO2 emissions, Euro status, first registered and last V5C issued.

    Free check result tiles: colour, fuel type, engine size, tax due, MOT expiry, CO2, Euro status, first registered, last V5C issued
    Free check result tiles: colour, fuel type, engine size, tax due, MOT expiry, CO2, Euro status, first registered, last V5C issued

What you’ll see

  • Make and year of manufacture
  • Colour, fuel type and engine size in cc
  • CO2 emissions and Euro emissions standard
  • Month of first registration and date of the last V5C
  • Tax and MOT status, and whether the car is marked for export

Ready to try it?

Free, instant, no signup.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the free check show the model and trim?

The DVLA holds the make but not the full model name. A DealerPricing vehicle history check or a dealer account decodes the exact model, variant, transmission, body style and doors from the registration.

Why does "Last V5C issued" matter?

A V5C reissued recently can mean a change of keeper, a replacement logbook or a plate change. If the seller cannot explain a very recent date, run a history check for keeper and plate changes before paying.

Can I find the owner from a registration?

No. The DVLA only releases keeper details to people with reasonable cause, such as the police or a parking operator. Public checks show vehicle data only.

Does it work for motorbikes and vans?

Yes. Any vehicle registered with the DVLA in Great Britain returns its details and MOT history. Northern Ireland registrations return DVLA data but MOT history is held separately by the DVA.

Sources