Stolen Car Check: Lookup Police National Computer and insurer theft records
Includes DVLA tax and MOT reports
Enter a registration number
- Why stolen car checks matter when buying a used car
- How to check if a car is stolen by registration number
- Which databases are used to check if a car is stolen?
- What a stolen car check includes
- Free vs paid stolen car checks
- How to avoid buying a stolen car
- What to do if you’ve bought a stolen car
- How CarVeto’s stolen vehicle check works
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why stolen car checks matter when buying a used car
A buyer does not gain legal title to a stolen vehicle.
If a car is later identified as stolen, it can be seized without compensation, regardless of when or how it was purchased.
A stolen car check evaluates risk before the sale completes, helping buyers avoid financial loss, legal complications, and confiscation by police.
Most stolen vehicles are resold through private listings, often using altered number plates, manipulated VINs, or identities cloned from similar models.
These vehicles may appear legitimate, but carry hidden theft markers not visible through basic checks.
Police National Computer (PNC) records and insurer databases flag vehicles that have been reported stolen or settled as theft claims.
Unlike cloned vehicles, which use duplicated details from a different car, stolen vehicles retain their original identity but carry a legal theft record.
A stolen car check confirms whether a vehicle has such a marker. It allows buyers to verify its legal status using national datasets before committing to ownership.
Without this check, there's no reliable way to confirm whether the seller has the legal right to transfer the vehicle, or whether it's already subject to police recovery.
What is a stolen car check?
A stolen car check is a data-led process that confirms whether a vehicle is recorded as stolen in national databases.
It verifies the car’s legal status using its registration or VIN, referencing records from the Police National Computer, DVLA, and insurer loss registers.
This type of check does not involve a physical inspection and cannot confirm lawful ownership beyond what’s recorded.
It reports only what is known at the time of the search.
Run a free Vehicle History Check to begin a real-time lookup.
How to check if a car is stolen by registration number
There are 3 steps to check if a vehicle is recorded as stolen using its registration number (VRM):
- Enter the vehicle’s registration (VRM) into CarVeto’s free stolen car check tool.
- Verify the vehicle details shown in the report — make, model, colour, and registration history.
- Review the summary, then upgrade to view theft status from police and insurer databases.
This process checks whether the registration is linked to any theft records.
It references the Police National Computer, insurer databases and the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud Theft Register to identify stolen vehicle markers.
If the details shown in the report match DVLA data, the registration appears consistent.
However, registration-based checks have limitations.
A stolen or cloned vehicle may display a valid registration but carry a falsified VIN or altered mechanical components.
The VRM reflects surface-level identity, but deeper verification requires confirmation of the VIN, usually found on the chassis or in the logbook.
Cloned vehicles using legitimate plates but fake VINs are increasingly common in private sales.
A registration alone does not confirm legal ownership or rule out fraud.
Can a VIN confirm if a car is stolen?
A VIN confirms whether the physical vehicle matches the identity recorded in national databases.
If the VIN differs from DVLA or insurer records, the vehicle may be stolen, cloned, or misregistered.
A VIN Identity Verification Check reveals discrepancies that a free registration search cannot detect, especially when plates and paperwork have been duplicated.
Which databases are used to check if a car is stolen?
UK stolen vehicle checks rely on 3 primary data sources: police records, DVLA vehicle data, and insurer loss databases.
The Police National Computer (PNC) holds active theft markers placed by UK police forces.
If a vehicle is reported stolen and not recovered, it is flagged in the PNC, including thefts involving private sales, dealerships, or finance defaults.
DVLA records confirm whether a registration is active, scrapped, exported, or marked for disposal.
An active registration means the plate is currently in circulation, but it does not verify whether the identity has been cloned elsewhere.
Insurer loss databases record vehicles marked as stolen through insurance claims.
This includes unrecovered thefts, total loss settlements, and theft claims under investigation.
The primary data source is the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR), now integrated into Navigate, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau’s (MIB) unified data platform.
This platform provides structured theft and salvage records through its Vehicle Salvage & Theft Data (VS&TD) layer, used by insurers and law enforcement to track stolen vehicles and flag fraudulent activity.
Some theft markers may take time to appear, especially if police reports are delayed or insurance claims are pending.
Most systems update daily or in near real time, but instant sync across all records is not guaranteed.
These datasets are cross-referenced by verification services like CarVeto HPI Check, which assess stolen status based on registration, VIN, and recorded ownership history.
What a stolen car check includes
A stolen car check returns verified data from police, insurance, and DVLA records.
It reports whether theft markers or identity inconsistencies exist based on registration, VIN, and recorded vehicle status.
A stolen car check includes:
- Stolen vehicle marker (from the Police National Computer)
- Theft claim recorded by an insurer
- DVLA status (active, scrapped, or exported)
The vehicle’s registration and VIN can be cross-checked against the V5C logbook to confirm consistency.
A mismatch may indicate tampering or duplication.
If a theft marker or identity discrepancy is present, the vehicle is flagged as high-risk.
The report compiles available records at the time of the check, based on the latest database updates.
However, the check is limited to known data.
It does not involve physical inspection or confirm legal ownership beyond what is recorded.
What a stolen car check does not confirm
A stolen car check reflects official data only.
It does not confirm:
- Cloned vehicles using duplicated registration plates
- Physical tampering with VIN or chassis numbers
- Ownership disputes or unresolved legal claims
- Identity swaps involving rebuilt parts or shells
Free stolen car checks access limited datasets
They verify basic vehicle details using open registration data and flag if a stolen marker has been recorded in public sources.
Paid checks provide expanded access to private insurer records, active theft investigations, and full DVLA registration status.
This includes real-time links to the Police National Computer, stolen vehicle claims not yet fully settled, and identity anomalies across VIN and chassis fields.
Free checks are useful for surface-level verification. Paid options offer deeper protection, especially when reviewing private listings or high-value vehicles.
Run a free CarVeto Car Check to access advanced stolen vehicle data.
When a Free Stolen Car Check Is Not Enough to Verify Ownership
Free checks do not confirm legal ownership or the seller’s right to transfer a vehicle.
They do not show whether a vehicle is subject to finance, part of a salvage rebuild, or flagged for cloning through VIN manipulation.
Full checks are for private sales, dealer purchases, high-value cars, or where inconsistencies appear in documents or vehicle identity.
How to avoid buying a stolen car
There are 5 red flags that help identify a potentially stolen vehicle before purchase.
These include both physical inconsistencies and seller behaviour that may signal risk.
- Missing or tampered VIN plates – Check that the VIN is present, legible, and matches the V5C logbook.
- Mismatched paint or panels – Unexplained repairs or colour differences can signal identity swaps.
- Limited or evasive seller information – Avoid sellers who refuse to provide ID, proof of ownership, or service history.
- Incorrect or absent documentation – Ensure the V5C, MOT history, and mileage records align with the registration.
- Unusual pricing or urgency – Heavily discounted prices or pushy sales tactics may indicate stolen or cloned vehicles.
Evaluating these warning signs can reduce the risk of unknowingly purchasing a stolen car.
Visual inspection should always be followed by a Salvage History Check and VIN verification to confirm consistency across records.
Physical signs of stolen or cloned vehicles
A cloned or stolen vehicle may show:
- VIN plates that are missing, scratched, or re-stamped
- Chassis numbers that don’t match DVLA records
- V5C documents with altered or missing sections
- Mismatched make, model, or colour details
- Signs of tampering near engine bay or dashboard
What to do if you’ve bought a stolen car
There are 4 steps to follow if a vehicle you’ve purchased is later identified as stolen:
- Confirm the vehicle’s theft status through an official stolen vehicle check or police database reference.
- Contact the police immediately and provide a full copy of the vehicle history report, any purchase receipts, and seller details.
- Notify your insurer to assess coverage, especially if the vehicle has been used or registered in your name.
- Inform the DVLA that the vehicle may be subject to theft recovery or legal seizure.
These steps help ensure the situation is formally recorded and reduce risk of liability.
Return of funds or vehicle retention is not guaranteed and depends on investigation outcomes and sale conditions.
Notify DVLA if you suspect the vehicle was stolen or misrepresented.
Can you get your money back if a car is stolen?
Whether you can recover money after buying a stolen car depends on the seller and circumstances.
If the vehicle was bought from a private seller who has disappeared or cannot prove legal ownership, recovery is less likely.
Transactions from registered dealers may offer some legal recourse, but each case is assessed on evidence, not entitlement.
How CarVeto’s stolen vehicle check works
CarVeto’s stolen car check aggregates data from national sources, including the Police National Computer, DVLA records, and insurer theft databases.
It cross-references the vehicle’s registration and VIN to verify consistency between visible identity and what is recorded in official systems.
The tool checks for active theft markers, identity mismatches, and DVLA status anomalies.
It also references the Motor Insurance Database to detect related insurance risks.
CarVeto’s system applies structured validation to confirm whether the vehicle is flagged, cloned, or involved in an outstanding theft claim.
Each check is based on the latest available data provided by third-party sources, helping buyers avoid high-risk transactions.
This process supports safer purchasing decisions by showing theft status in real time, without requiring technical knowledge or manual investigation.
FAQs About Stolen Vehicle Checks
Yes. A free stolen car check can confirm basic registration details and may flag theft markers, but it does not include VIN consistency or insurer theft claims.
Police use the Police National Computer (PNC) to record stolen vehicle markers.
It includes theft reports from law enforcement and recovery status.
No. The DVLA does not flag stolen status. It shows registration, tax, export, and scrappage data, but stolen vehicle markers come from the police and insurer databases.
Yes. A vehicle may still be stolen if theft has not been reported, if data is delayed, or if the identity has been cloned with false plates or documents.
Yes. A VIN check shows if the vehicle’s chassis number matches its registration and reveals theft records linked to identity mismatches or cloning.
The car may be seized without compensation. Legal ownership remains with the original owner or insurer. You may be required to report the vehicle and cooperate with recovery.
Yes. Insurers record theft claims in national databases.
Unrecovered vehicles are flagged in systems used during stolen car checks.
It can take hours to several days.
Police and insurer reports must be processed before appearing in stolen vehicle databases like the PNC or insurer loss systems.
No. A stolen car check focuses on theft status, while an HPI check covers full vehicle history, including finance, write-off, and mileage records.
Yes. Stolen vehicles are often fitted with cloned number plates from similar models to avoid detection. A VIN check helps detect this type of fraud.