Why Use a Number Plate Check?
A car number plate check helps you buy with confidence. It gives you clear vehicle information in minutes, so you can spot problems before you spend money.
- Legal status matters: Registration plates must be recorded with the DVLA for a car to be driven on UK roads, and a check confirms this.
- Protect yourself from fraud: A report shows if the car is stolen, written off, or scrapped, and whether the car’s unique VIN is the same one officially linked to its registration number.
- Check the story: You can view plate changes and ensure that they match the details on the seller’s logbook, receipts, or other documents.
- Check MOT results: Past MOTs reveal faults and advisory notes, which help you plan repairs and costs.
- Be confident in the mileage: History entries indicate mileage reductions or gaps, as well as how many registered keepers the car has had.
What Information Can You Get from a Number Plate Check?
A car plate checker shows MOT records, tax status, mileage checks, and the number of previous owners. It also flags outstanding finance and past accidents. You’ll also see basic details like engine power and fuel type.
Our
car reg check brings all the key facts together when buying a used car. Use it to confirm the story matches the paperwork, including plate history. It helps you judge conditions and plan costs with confidence.
How to Run a Number Plate Check Online
Enter your vehicle registration number in the box and start the car check service. You will get a clear, free report with key vehicle history facts in minutes.
If you need more detailed information, upgrade to our standard or full car history check. The reports include added features such as number plate change history and other important checks, giving you the full picture before you buy.
Is It Legal to Check a Number Plate?
It is legal to check a number plate in the UK. Our license plate checker follows UK law and only shows vehicle data, not personal details. Using a licence plate lookup is a safe, legitimate way to check car history before a purchase, so you can confirm tax and MOT status, and spot issues like outstanding finance or write-offs.
Can You Find the Vehicle Owner from a Registration Number?
You cannot find the current owner’s name from a registration number. UK privacy rules block personal details, even with a uk plate check. What you can see are ownership changes and how many previous keepers the car has had.
This still helps a lot when checking vehicle history. You can judge how the car was likely cared for and spot warning signs. There is no car tracker by number plate that will reveal the owner's personal details, but a trusted number plate check can give you reliable, legal information about the vehicle.
How Reliable Are Number Plate Checks?
Our UK license plate lookup uses data from trusted sources, including DVLA sources; it is also kept up to date to maintain reliability. Reports include key facts like MOT history and engine size, so you can judge a car with confidence.
For big decisions, cross-check important points with the seller’s paperwork, and arrange a physical inspection or test drive.
How Do Number Plate Changes Work?
Most cars can swap a standard plate for a private one, also called a personalised plate. The DVLA sells private registrations and records each change. This keeps the identity of the car clear and lawful.
If the seller wishes to keep the private plate, the DVLA will reassign the vehicle's original registration number before the sale. The car's records will still show the same VIN (vehicle identification number), indicating that it is the same vehicle with a different plate. This process must be completed before the car is sold; otherwise, the new owner may have difficulty registering, taxing, or even legally driving the vehicle.
Use a reg plate lookup to confirm the current registration and any past plate changes. Always keep the seller’s documents and receipts alongside this information for easy cross-checking.
A number plate tracker uk does not track a car in real time. It simply shows plate history and linked records, which helps you buy with confidence.
Buying and Registering a Private Number Plate
To buy a private number, start on the DVLA personalised registrations site. You are purchasing the right to use a specific registration, not the actual plate. After payment, you will receive a V750 or V778 to prove your entitlement.
Check to make sure that the form details match your car and name. Complete the steps and send the form back to the DVLA so the registration can be officially assigned to your vehicle.
Assigning a Private Plate to a Vehicle
When you receive your V750 or V778 certificate, go to the DVLA’s online service. This is the quickest way to assign your private plate to your vehicle—just follow the on-screen instructions with your documents ready.
Once the DVLA confirms the assignment, order new plates from a registered supplier that meets British Standards. Remove the old plates, fit the new ones securely, and check that the spacing and fixings are legal.
If you intend to keep the right to use your private plate in the future, store your certificate and related paperwork safely.
Keeping a Plate on Retention
You can hold a private registration without putting it on a car. This is called keeping the plate on retention. Once you have your V750 or V778, you do not need to do anything else.
Keep this certificate stored securely, as it proves your right to use the registration. You can check license plate details whenever you wish to confirm the status. When you have a new vehicle, you can
transfer the number plate to another car quickly using the DVLA service.
How Long Can You Keep a Private Number Plate?
You can keep a private number plate indefinitely, as long as you renew the retention certificate every 10 years. If you forget to renew, you could lose the rights to the plate, leaving you asking, ‘whose number plate is this?’ when it’s no longer yours.
Costs Involved in Changing a Number Plate
Taking a number plate off a vehicle costs £80, which starts the change process. Use our tools to search number plate details.
How Long Does It Take to Update a Number Plate?
Updating a number plate can take up to five to six weeks. Using the DVLA online service is usually faster, and a number plate registration check helps you track progress and confirm the change.
Do I need a plate runner to change or assign a plate?
You usually do not need a plate runner. Most people use the DVLA online service and finish the steps themselves, which saves time and money.
How do I check my plate status before I buy or sell a car?
Open our tool and choose check my plate. Enter the registration, review the report, and confirm MOT, tax, and any plate changes.
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