DVLA Check
Official Vehicle Record Lookup Powered by CarVeto

What Is a DVLA Check?

A DVLA check is the process of retrieving official information about a vehicle from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the UK’s national authority responsible for maintaining records on all road-registered vehicles. Based on data held within the DVLA vehicle register, these checks provide legal, compliance, and historical insights.

A standard DVLA vehicle check confirms:

• Vehicle registration details, including make, model, engine size, fuel type, and colour
• MOT status and expiry
• Road tax status, cost, and tax band classification
• V5C logbook issue date
• SORN status (Statutory Off Road Notification)
• CO₂ emissions rating and Euro emissions category
• Export marker, scrappage record, and number of prior keepers

These attributes help verify whether a vehicle is legally roadworthy, environmentally compliant, and accurately represented at the point of sale or transfer.

Understanding DVLA Vehicle Checks and Driver Data

The term DVLA check can refer to both vehicle and driver information. While this page focuses on vehicle-specific data, the DVLA also provides services for checking driving licence entitlements, penalty points, and endorsements through other channels.

CarVeto specialises in delivering vehicle history reports based on DVLA-sourced data. Information related to driver records can be accessed directly via the official DVLA services online or through a Subject Access Request (SAR).

How CarVeto Enhances DVLA Data

Every CarVeto check starts with live DVLA data, covering MOT, tax, SORN, V5C, registration and emissions information. This base layer is enhanced using trusted national datasets, creating a comprehensive report beyond the standard DVLA lookup.

CarVeto integrates with:

• Experian Asset Register for outstanding finance and logbook loan detection
• MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register) for insurance write-off status (Cat A, B, S, N)
• Police National Computer (PNC) for stolen vehicle identification
• askMID to confirm insurance presence
• BVRLA and RMI mileage feeds for lease and service mileage verification
• VIN and plate change records for spotting cloning or private plate transfers

This multi-source framework delivers a single report that combines legal compliance, financial transparency, and identity assurance, all powered by government and industry-standard data.

Run a Free Car Check with CarVeto

CarVeto’s free DVLA check provides instant access to verified vehicle records. No signup, no cost.

✔️ Tax and MOT status
✔️ V5C and registration details
✔️ CO₂ emissions and Euro standard
✔️ Ownership and export markers
✔️ Trustworthy data from official sources

→ Start your Free Car Check now

What Do You Get in a Free CarVeto DVLA Check?

CarVeto’s free DVLA check offers instant access to official UK vehicle data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. It confirms a vehicle’s registration identity, roadworthiness, emissions classification, and ownership signals, essential for anyone buying, selling, or valuing a used car.

Registration verification and vehicle specs

This section confirms the vehicle’s official identity as recorded by the DVLA:

• Make and model
• Colour, fuel type, and engine size
• Body style and vehicle category (e.g., estate, hatchback)
• Year of manufacture and first UK registration date

These values help match the vehicle to its listing, eliminate risks of cloning, and support buyer confidence.

DVLA MOT expiry, tax status, and SORN

CarVeto checks the vehicle’s legal road status by confirming:

• MOT expiry date
  Road tax status and renewal deadline
• Whether the vehicle has a SORN declaration (off-road)

Knowing these dates in advance helps prevent surprise fines and confirms if the car is eligible for a test drive or immediate use.

Euro emissions, CO₂, tax band, V5C issue date

This part of the check provides insight into ownership history and environmental compliance:

• Official CO₂ emissions rating (grams/km)
• Euro emissions standard, including Euro 6 for ULEZ use
• Road tax band and estimated annual cost
• Date of V5C issue, helpful for verifying ownership transitions

These markers are handy for calculating tax costs and checking if the vehicle can be used in low-emission zones.

Export status and vehicle image (if available)

CarVeto identifies whether the vehicle is marked as exported in the DVLA registry. This means it may not be legally roadworthy in the UK. If available, an official vehicle image icon is also shown to help validate the model visually.

Custom MOT history timeline

This feature compiles the full MOT record into a simple, scrollable timeline that includes:

• Test dates
• Mileage at each MOT
• Advisories and failures

It allows users to evaluate service consistency and mileage growth over time.

MID insurance status (askMID presence check)

CarVeto performs a presence check using the askMID database to confirm whether the vehicle appears to be currently insured. This adds confidence when arranging viewings or test drives and supports checks for road legality.

→ Check Vehicle Insurance Status Online with a free CarVeto DVLA history check.

What’s Included in a CarVeto Premium (Platinum) Report?

A CarVeto Premium report provides advanced protection by identifying financial risks, theft status, and insurance history that may affect a vehicle’s resale value, roadworthiness, or legal ownership. It pulls from authoritative national registers, offering visibility into issues not covered by standard DVLA checks.

Legal & Financial Risk

This section scans for hidden encumbrances, active claims, and police records that could invalidate a sale or cause financial loss.

Outstanding finance status (Experian)

CarVeto connects directly to the Experian Asset Register to detect:

• Hire Purchase (HP) or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements
• Active leasing contracts or conditional sales
• Any unresolved financial lien that affects the title transfer

If finance is still owed, the vehicle is legally owned by the lender, not the seller, posing a risk to private buyers.

→ Check for Outstanding Finance on a Car

Logbook loan detection

This check identifies whether the car is tied to a logbook loan, where a lender holds the V5C logbook. These loans often bypass traditional HPI detection but grant the lender rights to repossess the vehicle.

Detecting a logbook loan early prevents buyers from acquiring a vehicle that can’t legally be transferred.

Theft status (PNC & insurer confirmation)

CarVeto performs dual verification to confirm whether a vehicle is linked to theft events or flagged on national security registers.

This includes:

• A real-time check against the Police National Computer (PNC) to detect vehicles reported as stolen across UK law enforcement systems
• A secondary scan of the national insurance theft payout register, which highlights vehicles where insurers have issued a total loss payment due to unrecovered theft

These two data points work in tandem to identify vehicles that may be:

• Currently marked as actively stolen
• Previously written off and paid out by insurers due to theft
• Being resold fraudulently, possibly under a cloned registration or V5C identity

This theft detection layer protects buyers from unknowingly purchasing a vehicle with a criminal or compromised status, ensuring compliance and traceability before ownership changes.

→ Check if a Car Was Stolen in the UK

Insurance write-off check (MIAFTR): Cat A, B, S, N

Using the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR), CarVeto detects whether the vehicle has been written off and classifies the severity:

• Cat A – Vehicle must be crushed; no parts salvaged
• Cat B – Usable parts only; body cannot be resold
• Cat S – Repairable structural damage
• Cat N – Repairable non-structural damage (electrical, cosmetic)

Each category impacts resale, insurance premiums, and safety, making write-off transparency essential.

→ Identify: Is My Car a Write-Off?

Ownership & Vehicle Identity

The CarVeto Premium report provides complete transparency around the vehicle’s legal identity and ownership journey. These checks trace registration events, keeper transfers, and mechanical identifiers to confirm that the vehicle’s paper history matches the physical vehicle and its public record.

Previous keepers and transfer dates

CarVeto identifies the total number of previous keepers and logs the exact date of each transfer of ownership. These records help determine:

• The length of ownership per keeper
• Signs of high turnover or trade flipping
• Transaction patterns that align with write-offs or clocking attempts

This data is critical for assessing how the car has been used and who has owned it over time, as well as key signals of care, reliability, or risk.

Region of registered ownership

The report shows where the vehicle was initially registered by identifying the DVLA regional office (e.g., London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast).

This helps:

• Cross-reference seller location with vehicle origin
• Spot possible inter-region movements that don’t match maintenance records
• Understand driving conditions that may affect vehicle wear (urban, coastal, rural)

This regional data also helps validate mileage expectations and claims of “one local owner.”

Number plate history and private plate transfers

CarVeto records all number plate changes, including the assignment and removal of private registration plates. Each change is timestamped and helps:

• Restore visibility over the service or accident history associated with older plates
• Detect cases where plates were changed to obscure a checkable history
• Identify cosmetic resets often used after insurance events or resales

Buyers should be aware that frequent plate changes may indicate intentional history separation.

Last 4 digits of VIN, full engine number

The report includes the last four characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the full engine number. These identifiers should match the V5C logbook and physical stamps on the vehicle.

Verifying these numbers confirms:

• The vehicle isn’t cloned
• The engine hasn’t been replaced fraudulently
• The documents and chassis identity are in agreement

→ Verify VIN Number and plate data

Mechanical History & Mileage

Mileage discrepancies are a key indicator of odometer fraud and undervalued wear. The CarVeto Premium report verifies usage integrity by triangulating DVLA, BVRLA, and RMI data, identifying anomalies that may affect resale value, safety, and legality.

Full DVLA MOT mileage history

CarVeto retrieves historical mileage from every MOT test recorded by the DVLA, showing:

• Mileage at each MOT date
• Time intervals between tests
  Gradual usage pattern or mileage gaps

This foundational timeline highlights unusual drops or gaps and is the first validation line against odometer rollback.

Lease mileage data (BVRLA)

If the vehicle was previously leased, CarVeto includes official BVRLA mileage data, offering:

• Independent verification of how the car was driven during the lease term
• Records of mileage caps and excess usage fees
• A check against declared mileage at the point of sale

Lease data is vital for ex-company or rental cars, where service logs may be incomplete.

Service mileage records (RMI)

CarVeto also integrates with the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) to retrieve mileage captured during:

• Routine servicing and diagnostics
• Interim maintenance is not linked to MOT
• Oil changes, inspections, and mechanical adjustments

These service entries help fill data gaps between MOTs, reinforcing confidence in the declared mileage trajectory.

Mileage anomalies or rollback detection

Advanced cross-referencing across DVLA, BVRLA, and RMI sources allows CarVeto to detect:

• Suspicious mileage regressions
• Gaps not explained by ownership or servicing intervals
• Signs of odometer tampering to increase market appeal

Buyers are alerted to these risks within the Premium report, helping prevent costly mistakes and resale complications.

→ Verify Mileage Check now.

Registration & Compliance

This section of the CarVeto Premium report validates the vehicle’s structural history, environmental compliance, and DVLA registration integrity. These checks are essential for confirming road legality, resale eligibility, and clean air zone access.

Scrappage status and Q plate detection

CarVeto identifies if the vehicle is marked as scrapped in the DVLA database. Scrappage markers mean the car has been deregistered and cannot legally return to UK roads, making resale or road use unlawful.

The report also flags any Q registration plates assigned when the DVLA cannot confirm a vehicle’s original identity, age, or component origins.

These are commonly found on:

• Kit cars
• Imported vehicles without complete documentation
• Rebuilds using salvaged or unverified parts

Q plates often signal limited insurability, restricted resale value, and reduced consumer confidence.

VIC inspection flag

CarVeto checks for any Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) flags and legacy DVLA markers tied to vehicles declared a Category C or D insurance write-off.

Although the VIC program ended in 2015, any existing flag reveals that:

• The car underwent a formal inspection to verify its structural identity
• It was deemed roadworthy after substantial repair
• It may carry residual stigma in the used market

VIC flags remain part of the vehicle’s compliance record and may impact future valuation.

Road tax band and CO₂ efficiency rating

This section reveals the vehicle’s:

• Official CO₂ emissions rating in grams per kilometre
• Associated DVLA tax band classification
• Estimated annual tax cost under the current UK government thresholds

These figures support financial planning and determine if the car qualifies for reduced rates, exemptions, or clean air zone discounts.

→ Calculate Road Tax Rates with a Premium CarVeto report.

Euro emission classification (e.g., Euro 6)

CarVeto lists the vehicle’s Euro emissions category, which defines its access to regulated zones like:

• London ULEZ
• Manchester CAZ
• Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Euro 6 vehicles are generally exempt from clean air charges, while Euro 4 and below often incur daily fees.

This classification helps buyers assess long-term suitability, especially for urban or commercial use.

CarVeto vs HPI Check: What’s the Difference?

While HPI is known for providing finance and theft insights, CarVeto delivers a broader and more detailed report by combining official DVLA data with industry-leading trade sources. The result is a vehicle history check that covers more ground, reduces buyer risk, and delivers high-resolution transparency on every car.

HPI includes finance and theft, but lacks enhanced DVLA-linked data

HPI checks are well-recognised for their ability to flag:

• Outstanding finance arrangements
• Police-reported stolen vehicles
• Insurance write-off status via MIAFTR

These are core legal checks, but many HPI products do not extend to advanced DVLA-derived data, including:

• Q plate registration markers
• Full keeper transfer history (with dates)
• Region of first DVLA registration
• Euro emissions classification (e.g., Euro 6)
• askMID insurance presence status
• RMI and BVRLA mileage triangulation

This limits insight into the vehicle’s environmental classification, ownership history, and usage authenticity, especially in private sale scenarios.

CarVeto integrates DVLA data with national risk and trade registers

CarVeto merges real-time DVLA records with best-in-class national databases, providing unmatched coverage of:

• Registration status, V5C issue date, MOT expiry, SORN
• Emissions and tax band data, Euro compliance (ULEZ readiness)
• Outstanding finance (via Experian), including £30,000 finance data guarantee
• Theft alerts (via Police National Computer and National Insurance Database)
• Insurance write-offs (via MIAFTR)
• Insurance presence validation (via askMID)
• Mileage integrity from DVLA, RMI, and BVRLA
• Plate change and VIN traceability
• Q plate or scrappage designation
• Keeper timeline with registered DVLA region

This end-to-end data stack allows users to assess vehicle legality, environmental suitability, and identity consistency in one seamless report.

What CarVeto Shows That HPI Doesn’t

• Mileage validation from three sources: DVLA MOT, RMI servicing logs, and BVRLA lease records
• Named keeper transfer dates, not just a total count
• “Registered near” insights, revealing the DVLA office of first registration
• ULEZ and Clean Air Zone readiness via Euro 6 data
• Full environmental and structural compliance validation

Comparison Table: Free DVLA vs CarVeto Premium vs HPI

Order Your Full Car History Report

Get the full story before you buy—mileage, ownership, finance, and compliance.

→ Order Your CarVeto HPI Vehicle Check

Why a DVLA Check Is Essential Before You Buy

Buying a used vehicle without verifying its legal and financial background introduces unnecessary risk.

A comprehensive DVLA check, enhanced by CarVeto’s multi-source intelligence, gives you a clear, reliable view of the vehicle’s road history, ownership, and risk profile. It’s the only way to make a fully informed decision and avoid costly surprises.

Avoid stolen, scrapped, or written-off vehicles

Vehicles can appear visually sound yet carry hidden histories. CarVeto prevents these risks by accessing the:

• Police National Computer (PNC) to confirm if a car is actively flagged as stolen
• MIAFTR database to identify if it was written off as:
  • Category A/B (irreparable, non-roadworthy)
  • Category S/N (repairable but previously damaged)

CarVeto also detects scrappage markers or deregistration status from the DVLA, critical indicators that a car is no longer legal for resale or road use.

Detect hidden loans or finance agreements

Many vehicles sold in the used market still have outstanding finance attached. The seller might not legally own the car.

CarVeto connects to the Experian Asset Register and additional financial datasets to uncover:

• Active finance contracts
• Logbook loans
• Hire purchase or PCP liabilities

These checks ensure you’re not buying a car that belongs to a lender or is at risk of repossession. A £30,000 guarantee covers car finance data.

Prevent clocking and illegal resale

Odometer fraud, also known as clocking, involves lowering recorded mileage, inflating the vehicle’s value, and deceiving buyers.

CarVeto uses a three-point mileage verification system, pulling data from:

• DVLA MOT records
• RMI service history
• BVRLA lease mileage

This triangulation reveals irregularities like mileage rollback, long gaps between recordings, or inconsistencies across ownership. It also supports the detection of cloned or misregistered vehicles sold under a false identity.

Sell your car quickly and easily →

→ Sell Your Car Online with CarVeto’s comprehensive guide.

DVLA Licence Check and Driver Record Info

The DVLA manages vehicle registration records and detailed driver information. This includes your licence validity, the vehicle types you’re permitted to drive, and any legal restrictions.

CarVeto does not process driver data, but we guide users through the official DVLA tools that make this information accessible and secure.

Driving licence entitlements and categories

Your driving licence contains entitlements, codes that define which vehicle types you’re qualified to operate.

These include:

• B – Standard passenger cars
• C1 – Medium goods vehicles
• D1+E – Minibus with trailer

Online checks via the DVLA View Driving Licence Service display:

• Current entitlements
• Valid from/to dates
• Category-specific restrictions (e.g. glasses, automatic-only)

This is essential for verifying eligibility, especially for professional drivers and vehicle rentals.

Penalty points, medical flags, and endorsements

The DVLA keeps a live record of any endorsements, including:

• Penalty points for driving offences
• Disqualification periods
• Medical restrictions

Examples include:

• SP30 – Speeding
• DR10 – Driving under the influence
• IN10 – Driving uninsured

Drivers with certain conditions (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, heart issues) may also have medical flags requiring periodic review. These indicators help employers and insurers assess a driver’s legal and physical fitness.

What is a DVLA Check Code and how to use it

The DVLA Check Code is a secure, time-limited way for third parties to view your driving licence summary.

To generate it:

1. Go to GOV.UK View Driving Licence
2. Enter your licence number, NI number, and postcode
3. Create a check code valid for 21 days

The code can be shared with employers, rental firms, or insurers.

It grants view-only access to:

• Licence status
• Vehicle entitlements
• Endorsements and disqualifications

Subject Access Request (SAR) for driver data

Under UK GDPR, you can use a Subject Access Request (SAR) to request a full breakdown of all driver-related data held by the DVLA.

A DVLA SAR includes:

• Photocard and digital licence data
• Application history and changes
• Endorsements and offence records

You can submit this request at no cost through the DVLA privacy portal. Responses are typically issued within one calendar month.

DVLA MOT, Tax, Insurance & SORN Status

The DVLA tracks every vehicle registered in the UK across several compliance categories, including MOT validity, road tax status, insurance visibility, and off-road declarations.

CarVeto aggregates this legal framework into one report, giving insight into whether a vehicle is safe, taxed, insured, and environmentally classified for the road.

Check MOT expiry, insurance (askMID), and SORN

• MOT Expiry

  CarVeto retrieves the vehicle’s latest MOT result and next test due date from the DVLA. This ensures the car has passed all required inspections and remains road-legal under UK regulations.

• Insurance Presence (askMID)
  We validate insurance presence using the askMID database, confirming whether the vehicle is currently recorded as insured. This protects drivers from unknowingly operating or purchasing uninsured cars.
• SORN Status
  A Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) indicates that the vehicle is not used on public roads and is exempt from tax and MOT until reactivated. CarVeto checks this status directly from DVLA systems to flag whether the car is off-road, ready for resale or road use.

How to find the CO₂ band and tax costs

CarVeto reports include the vehicle’s CO₂ emissions rating, a crucial factor in calculating Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

This data is retrieved directly from DVLA databases and includes:

• Emissions output (g/km)
• Assigned tax band (Band A–M or WLTP-based post-2017)
• Tax costs for 6-month and 12-month durations

These figures help you forecast ownership costs and evaluate environmental impact, especially in regulated areas like London’s ULEZ or regional Clean Air Zones (CAZ) like Bristol or Birmingham.

Vehicle tax band and Euro emission class

Every UK vehicle is assigned a Euro emission standard, from Euro 1 to Euro 6.

This designation affects:

• ULEZ and LEZ zone entry
• Annual tax liability
• Clean Air Zone exemptions or penalties

CarVeto reveals both the emission class and associated tax band, allowing you to assess a vehicle’s environmental standing and long-term regulatory viability, especially for urban drivers, fleets, or eco-conscious buyers.

Check current MOT status and due dates →

→ View your vehicle’s MOT status

Frequently Asked Questions about a DVLA Vehicle Check

Can I check DVLA car data for free?

Yes, you can. The DVLA provides free access to key vehicle data such as MOT status, tax details, and registration information. CarVeto’s free DVLA check enhances this by showing V5C issue date, SORN status, CO₂ output, Euro standard, and vehicle specs, ideal for verifying legal and environmental compliance.

What’s the difference between a DVLA check and a car history report?

A DVLA check gives official data on MOT, tax, registration, and logbook issue date. A full CarVeto report includes DVLA data plus additional checks: outstanding finance (Experian), theft status (PNC), insurance write-offs (MIAFTR), mileage accuracy (BVRLA/RMI), and number plate history, offering complete risk visibility.

You can Check Number Plate history with a Gold or Platinum CarVeto report.

Can I check if a car is stolen or written off?

Yes. A CarVeto Premium check identifies stolen vehicles via the Police National Computer and scans the MIAFTR insurance database for write-offs like Cat A, B, S, or N. These indicators protect against fraud, illegal resale, or dangerous cars with hidden structural damage.

What does Cat S or Cat N mean?

Cat S (structural) means the car had repairable chassis damage. It must be re-registered before road use.

Cat N (non-structural) involves cosmetic or electrical faults that don’t impact the frame. Both must be disclosed at resale and can lower vehicle value.

Read our guide: What is a Car Write-Off?

What is a V5C?

The V5C, or logbook, is issued by the DVLA and confirms the registered keeper of a vehicle. It includes vehicle details (Vehicle Identification Number, colour, engine size), first registration date, and keeper count. It’s essential for taxing a vehicle, declaring SORN, or transferring ownership.

Can I get the car owner’s address from DVLA?

No. Due to GDPR rules, the DVLA does not release private keeper details such as names or addresses. Disclosure is only allowed in limited cases, for example, to police, insurers, or legal parties with justifiable cause.

Can a DVLA check tell me who owns a car?

No. DVLA checks won’t show the owner’s name or address. However, CarVeto reports reveal the number of previous keepers, dates of transfer, and the DVLA registration region, which helps assess usage history and legitimacy.

Run a Free DVLA Vehicle Owner Check.

What does DVLA SORN mean?

SORN stands for Statutory Off-Road Notification. The DVLA declares that a vehicle isn’t being used on public roads. SORNed cars are exempt from tax and MOT but must remain off-road. CarVeto reports display this status to ensure legal readiness.