CarCheck

CarCheck, number plate checks and vehicle history in the UK

CarCheck is a British website dedicated to looking up vehicle data from the number plate. The company presents itself as the largest car data site in the UK and claims to bring together information from over 40 million British cars by combining different data sources. It works by entering the number plate and getting a vehicle summary in seconds, with the option to expand the information through a paid report.

What the free check includes

The free report shows data such as make, model, colour, dimensions, year of manufacture, date of registration, V5c issue date, fuel consumption, scrapped vehicles, MOT date, tax check, engine size, fuel, vehicle type, CO2 marker, emissions, revenue weight, Euro status, mileage records, export information, safety recalls and car photos from ads.

Premium report and additional checks

The paid version expands the report with checks that the website lists in detail:

• General data: make, model, colour, year of manufacture, gearbox and DVLA tax check.
• Engine and consumption: power, torque, engine capacity, number of cylinders, fuel type, consumption, CO2 emissions and CO2 label.
• MOT history: expiry date, pass rate, failed tests, results and advisories, minor and major defects.
• Damage: damage record, repair costs, date and position of damage.
• Maintenance: service date, mileage at service, garage name and work carried out.
• Ads: presence in online ads, asking price and photos.
• Owner history, plate change and theft check with police information.
• Dimensions and weights: width, height, length, wheelbase, kerb weight, track width, load space and fuel tank capacity.
• Safety: safety rating, NCAP rating and recall history.
• Mileage records and date of registration.

Intended use: check before you buy

The site aims the service at those considering buying a new or used car. The idea is to verify that the seller's information matches the vehicle's and to resolve doubts about mileage, MOT, possible accidents or equipment. It also describes the requirements for a car to be allowed on the road: DVLA registration, roadworthy condition, valid MOT certificate and paid tax. It also explains where to find the VIN number and the need for it to match the vehicle documentation.

Data volume and most checked brands

The platform states that it has over one million users and works with more than 500 automotive companies. Among the brands with the most records checked are Ford, Volkswagen, Vauxhall, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Toyota, Kia, Land Rover, Hyundai, Citroën, Renault, Skoda, Mini, Volvo, Honda, Seat and Fiat. The website also publishes a list of the most checked number plates.

Report delivery and ratings

The report can be downloaded instantly or sent as a PDF by email by providing an address. The site shows an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 based on 334 reviews, a figure that corresponds to the platform's own presentation.