Stolen car check by registration
Find out if a UK vehicle has been reported stolen before you hand over a deposit. We cross-check police, insurance and DVLA records in seconds.
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What we check
Our stolen car check pulls theft markers filed with UK police and cross-references them against DVLA keeper data, MIAFTR insurance write-off records and Experian finance databases. That means if a vehicle has been reported stolen, cloned, or flagged by an insurer, the marker shows up in your report.
Police theft markers in the UK originate from the Police National Computer, a record of crime-related vehicle data maintained by law enforcement. Free tools like the DVLA vehicle enquiry service confirm tax and MOT status but do not expose stolen markers, which is why a paid history check is the only consumer-facing way to see them.
Why it matters
If you buy a car that turns out to be stolen, the police can seize it and return it to the rightful owner. You lose both the vehicle and the money you paid for it, with no automatic right to a refund from the seller. Private buyers in particular have very limited legal protection once the cash has changed hands.
Criminals often disguise stolen cars by cloning number plates, forging V5C logbooks, or selling quickly through private ads at tempting prices. A police marker check is your single most important safeguard, alongside viewing the V5C and meeting the seller at their home address. The guidance on Citizens Advice reinforces that buyers carry the risk when checks are skipped.
Spotting a cloned or stolen vehicle
Cloning is when a stolen car is given the identity of a legitimate vehicle of the same make, model, and colour. The number plate and VIN look clean on a quick search, but deeper checks reveal mismatches in MOT location, mileage pattern, or keeper timeline.
Before you travel to view a car, compare the V5C reference number, the VIN stamped on the chassis, and the engine number against the information in your CarVerify report. Cross-check MOT history on the official gov.uk service and look for test centres clustered far from the seller’s stated address, which is a classic cloning red flag.
What’s included in your report
Police stolen marker from UK forces
Insurance write-off and salvage categories
Outstanding finance and HPI markers
Mileage verification and anomaly alerts
Full MOT history and keeper timeline
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How it works
Enter the registration
Type the UK number plate of the car you want to check. No VIN, no sign-up forms.
We query live data sources
CarVerify pulls DVLA, DVSA, police theft, insurance and finance records in real time.
Receive your full report
Your stolen car check and full history arrive by email within seconds, ready to view or share.
Common questions
Can I check if a car is stolen for free?
The free DVLA service shows tax and MOT status but does not reveal police theft markers. A paid history check is currently the only consumer-facing way to see whether a UK vehicle has been reported stolen.
Where does the stolen marker data come from?
Theft records in our report are sourced from police data feeds that track vehicles reported stolen across UK forces, alongside insurance loss data from MIAFTR.
What happens if I already bought a stolen car?
Report it to the police immediately and gather all paperwork and payment evidence. The car will usually be returned to the legal owner or insurer, so your priority is building a case to recover money from the seller.
Will a stolen marker always show up?
Our report shows markers that have been recorded by UK police and partner databases at the time of your check. Very recent thefts may not yet be logged, so also inspect the V5C, VIN, and keeper’s ID in person.
How fast do I get the report?
Reports are generated instantly and emailed to you within seconds of payment, so you can review findings before viewing a car or signing paperwork.
How much does a CarVerify check cost?
A single check is £9.99. CarVerify+ is £4.99 for a 7-day trial then £9.99 every 4 weeks, including AI Buyer’s Briefing and Ask Reg mechanic chat.
Don’t risk buying a stolen car
Run a stolen car check by reg in seconds and see police, finance and write-off markers before you pay.
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