Where our data comes from
Every report is assembled live from official government records at the moment you search. Nothing is typed in by hand and nothing is edited.
MOT history (DVSA)
Every MOT test the vehicle has taken: date, result, recorded defects and advisories, and the odometer reading at each test. This comes from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's MOT history records, the same data shown on GOV.UK.
Tax and registration (DVLA)
Tax status, tax due date, SORN status, CO2 emissions, engine capacity, colour, year of manufacture, wheelplan, type approval and the date the V5C logbook was last issued, from the DVLA's Vehicle Enquiry Service.
Derived figures (ours)
Estimated current mileage, annual mileage, pass rates and recurring-issue analysis are calculated by us from the MOT record. The mileage estimate uses a weighted model that prioritises the last two years of driving; it is an estimate, not an official reading.
How fresh is it?
Reports are fetched from the official sources when you run a check and cached briefly for speed. MOT results normally appear in DVSA records within hours of the test; DVLA tax changes usually show within a day or two of a transaction.
What free data can't tell you
Some vehicle history lives in commercial databases rather than public records. A Free Reg Check report does not include:
- Outstanding finance against the vehicle
- Insurance write-off categories
- Stolen-vehicle markers
- Number of previous keepers or plate changes
For an expensive purchase, a paid provenance check covering those points is sensible alongside the free history here. Our used car buying checklist explains what to check and when.
Ready to check a vehicle?
MOT history, tax status and mileage records in seconds. Free, no sign-up.