Free car check
Everything you can legitimately check for free before you bid: plate age, MOT history, safety recalls, VIN decode, LEZ status and write-off categories.
1. Check a registration
2. Safety recalls
Search every UK safety recall published by the DVSA for a make, model and build year.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA vehicle recalls data). Check a specific car with a franchised dealer or the DVSA recall checker.
3. VIN decoder
The 17-character VIN is on the V5C, the bottom of the windscreen and the door pillar. Make sure the one on the car matches the logbook and the auction listing.
4. Scottish LEZ check
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee need Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel. This fills in automatically from a reg check when it can.
A guide only. Confirm on the official Scottish vehicle emissions checker. More in LEZ and resale.
5. Write-off categories explained
Cat A Scrap
Must be crushed. No parts can be reused.
Cat B Break
Shell must be crushed. Some parts can be salvaged. Never back on the road.
Cat S Structural
Structural damage. Can be professionally repaired and go back on the road.
Cat N Non-structural
Cosmetic or electrical damage. Can be repaired and go back on the road.
The free government checks don't show write-off markers, outstanding finance or stolen markers. Older categories (Cat C and Cat D, before October 2017) work in a similar way. More in Cat N vs Cat S.
For finance, stolen, write-off and mileage markers you need a paid history check. See full history options above, and our guide to checking a salvage car before you bid.
Where this data comes from
- Plate age and area: the DVLA number plate format, decoded in your browser.
- MOT history: DVSA (GOV.UK), free.
- Recalls: DVSA open data under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- VIN: US NHTSA vPIC (public US government data). It's strongest on cars also sold in North America.
- Tax status: the official DVLA vehicle enquiry service (linked).
We don't store regs, VINs or searches. Free checks are a guide. Always inspect the car and the V5C.