Free MOT & DVLA checks

How to check if a car is taxed

Updated 3 September 2026 · 2 min read · by DealerPricing

To check if a car is taxed, enter its registration into the DealerPricing free DVLA check. The result shows the current tax status (taxed, untaxed or SORN), the date the tax is due, and the MOT expiry date. The data comes from the DVLA and updates within a few days of any change.

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Step by step

  1. Open the free DVLA check

    Use the DealerPricing free check. It reads live DVLA vehicle enquiry data for any UK registration.

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  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 tax and MOT status.

    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 tax status and due date

    At the top of the result a green "Tax: Taxed" or red "Tax: Untaxed" pill shows the status. The "Tax Due" tile gives the date the current tax runs out.

    Free check result showing Tax: Untaxed and MOT: Valid pills with the tax due date
    Free check result showing Tax: Untaxed and MOT: Valid pills with the tax due date

What you’ll see

  • Tax status: taxed, untaxed or SORN
  • Tax due date
  • MOT status and expiry date
  • CO2 emissions, which set the tax band

Ready to try it?

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Frequently asked questions

What does SORN mean on a tax check?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. The keeper has told the DVLA the vehicle is off the road, so it is not taxed and must not be driven or parked on a public road.

How quickly does the tax status update after I pay?

The DVLA says changes can take up to five working days to show on vehicle enquiry services. If you taxed the car today, an "untaxed" result is normal for a few days.

Can I check the tax on a car I am about to buy?

Yes, but remember that vehicle tax no longer transfers with the car. When you buy a used car you must tax it yourself before driving it away, even if the seller’s tax has not run out.

Does the check tell me how much the tax costs?

The free check shows CO2 emissions and first registration date, which determine the tax band. For cars registered after April 2017 the standard rate applies after the first year; the DVLA vehicle tax rates page lists the exact amounts.

Sources