Frequently Asked Questions

Enter the UK registration number in the search box on our homepage and hit search. You'll instantly see the make, model, MOT history, tax status, engine specs, and more — all free. Data comes from official UK sources including the DVLA and DVSA.

Yes, our basic vehicle check is 100% free with no hidden charges. You get key details like MOT history, tax status, and vehicle specs at no cost. For extra peace of mind, we also offer a Full Premium Vehicle Check covering stolen markers, outstanding finance, and insurance write-offs — backed by a £20,000 Experian data guarantee.

Free checks include make, model, year, engine size, fuel type, colour, MOT history, and tax status. Premium checks go further with stolen status, outstanding finance, insurance write-off records, keeper history, and plate changes. All data is sourced from official UK records.

No, you can run a free check straight away — just enter a registration and hit search. You only need an account if you want to save or download a Premium Vehicle Check report.

Yes — that's one of the best times to run a check. Search the registration before visiting the seller to verify MOT and tax status, confirm the details match the advert, and spot any red flags. It saves time and helps you avoid expensive mistakes.

The free check pulls data directly from DVLA and DVSA databases, so tax status, MOT history, and vehicle specs are highly accurate and regularly updated. Free checks don't cover stolen vehicles, outstanding finance, or insurance write-offs — for that, you need a Premium Vehicle Check.

The Full Premium Vehicle Check is a background report that checks whether a vehicle has been stolen, has outstanding finance, or is an insurance write-off. It also includes keeper history, plate changes, and other key data. All data comes from Experian-licensed providers and is backed by a £20,000 data guarantee.

If recorded Experian data in your Full Premium report is inaccurate and causes you a direct financial loss when purchasing the vehicle, you are protected up to £20,000 under Experian's Data Guarantee. This provides real financial indemnity under Experian's terms and conditions. Contact our support team with your receipt number to initiate a guarantee claim.

The Digital Service History check retrieves official digital service and maintenance records directly from manufacturer OE databases for supported makes (2012+). Because service records come directly from vehicle manufacturers rather than Experian, they are not covered by the Experian Data Guarantee.

No. Because our checks perform live, automated queries against third-party databases (Experian and manufacturer OE systems) immediately upon purchase, search costs are incurred instantaneously on your behalf. Under the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, purchasing an instant digital check waives the 14-day cancellation cooling-off period once the report is generated. However, Full Premium checks remain protected against financial loss via the Experian Data Guarantee.

The free check covers the basics: vehicle specs, MOT history, and tax status from DVLA/DVSA records. The Premium Check adds what free checks miss — stolen markers, outstanding finance, write-off history (Cat S and N), and full keeper records. Think of the free check as a quick health check and the Premium as a full background report.

Yes — you can run a Premium Vehicle Check on any UK-registered vehicle with a valid registration number. That includes cars, vans, and motorcycles. Whether you're checking a dealer car, a private sale, or an online listing, the Premium report works the same way.

Our data comes from official UK sources: the DVLA and DVSA for MOT and tax records. Premium data is sourced via Experian, one of the UK's largest credit reference agencies.

MOT and tax data updates directly from DVLA and DVSA systems, so it reflects the latest records. Tax status updates in near real-time, and MOT records update shortly after each test. There can occasionally be a day or two delay between an event and it appearing in the system.

Outstanding finance means the vehicle is still owned by a finance company under a hire purchase or PCP agreement. If you buy the car and the previous owner stops paying, the finance company can legally take the vehicle back — even from you. That's why a Premium Vehicle Check is essential before buying any used car.

Category S (Structural) and Category N (Non-structural) are insurance write-off categories used in the UK since October 2015. Cat S means structural damage that must be repaired before the car can return to the road. Cat N means non-structural damage. Both significantly reduce a car's value and can affect insurance, so check the history before buying.

A free check doesn't include stolen vehicle data. To check whether a car has been reported stolen, you need a Premium Vehicle Check, which cross-references the vehicle against police and insurance databases. Buying a stolen vehicle can result in it being seized by police with no refund — so this check matters.

You can check full MOT history for free on IsItAGoodCar by entering the registration. You'll see all previous tests, pass and fail results, advisory items, and mileage at each test. You can also check on GOV.UK, but our results include extra vehicle details and a cleaner layout.

DVSA statistics show the most common MOT failures are lights and signalling, tyre condition and pressure, brake defects, and driver's view (mirrors, wipers). Many are simple to fix with basic maintenance. Our MOT history check shows advisory items and past failures so you know exactly what to watch for.

IsItAGoodCar shows the current tax status of any vehicle as part of a free check. You can also check on GOV.UK using the DVLA's vehicle tax checker. Our results tell you whether the vehicle is taxed, when it expires, and whether it has a valid MOT — all in one place.

Yes, you can tax your car online through GOV.UK using the 11-digit reference number from your V5C logbook. You'll need a valid MOT (unless the vehicle is exempt) and a debit or credit card. The DVLA no longer sends paper reminders, so it's up to you to keep on top of renewal dates.

Start with a vehicle history check to uncover stolen status, outstanding finance, and write-off records. Then check MOT history for recurring issues, verify the tax is up to date, and compare the advert details against the V5C. View the car in daylight, bring someone with you, and never pay a deposit before seeing the vehicle.

Clocking is when the odometer is wound back to make a car look lower-mileage. Check the MOT history — our free check shows mileage at every test, so you can spot inconsistencies. Also look for excessive wear on the steering wheel, pedals, and seats compared to the displayed mileage. Consider getting an independent inspection.

The V5C (registration certificate) is the official DVLA document showing who the registered keeper is. It includes key details like the keeper, vehicle specs, and number of previous keepers. Always check the V5C when buying — the address should match the seller's and the details should match the car. No V5C is a major red flag.

An independent inspection from a qualified mechanic or a service like the AA or RAC is highly recommended, especially for higher-value cars. A vehicle history check covers the data side (finance, stolen, write-offs), but an inspection catches physical issues like hidden damage, rust, engine wear, and bodged repairs. It typically costs £100–£250 and could save you thousands.

Yes. Your registration searches are processed securely and we don't store or share your search history. Payment data for Premium checks is handled by our PCI-compliant payment provider and never stored on our servers.

You can reach us via the contact form or by email. We aim to respond within one working day. If your query is about a Premium report or data guarantee claim, include your report reference number so we can help faster.

Yes — IsItAGoodCar works on any device: phones, tablets, and desktops. No app needed — just visit the site in your mobile browser and search. It's optimised for touch screens, so you can check a car while you're out viewing it.