GOV.UK
MOT history
Every MOT result, the mileage at each test, and the failures and advisories.
Tip: Look for mileage that goes down, and the same advisory coming back year after year.
Free official checks before you buy a used car
You can check a lot about a used car for free with just the registration. These are the official sites. Use them on any car, including ours. Ask us for the registration of any car we list.
GOV.UK
Vehicle tax and MOT status
Whether the car is taxed and when the MOT runs out.
Tip: Tax does not move with the car, so you will need your own.
GOV.UK
Vehicle details from DVLA
Make, colour, first registration date, engine size, CO2 and more.
Tip: Check the details match the advert and the log book.
GOV.UK
Safety recalls
Whether the make and model has had a safety recall.
Tip: Ask the seller whether any recall work has been done.
Scottish Government
Low Emission Zone checker
Whether a car meets the standard for Scotland's Low Emission Zones, including Glasgow.
Tip: Matters if you drive into Glasgow city centre.
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow LEZ key information
The zone boundary, penalties and exemptions.
Tip: Read this before buying an older diesel for city driving.
GOV.UK
Vehicle tax rates
How much tax a car costs, based on its age and CO2.
Tip: Use it with the running cost calculator.
Motor Insurance Database
Is a car insured?
Check whether a vehicle is insured.
Tip: Useful before a test drive.
Free MOT history lookup
Type any registration into our free MOT history check. It shows every MOT test with the date, result, mileage, failures and advisories, and points out mileage drops and advisories that keep coming back. The data comes from the DVSA. Nothing you type is saved.
Buying a salvage car to fix?
Work out auction fees, VAT, transport and your max bid with the salvage car profit calculator, and find every Copart and IAA yard in our Scottish salvage yard guide.
What the free checks do not show
The free checks do not show outstanding finance, whether a car was stolen, or whether it was an insurance write-off. A paid vehicle history check covers those. Read checks before buying a used car in Glasgow and Cat S and Cat N explained.
Common questions
Are these car checks really free?
Yes. MOT history, tax status, DVLA vehicle details, recalls and the LEZ checker are free official services. You only need the registration.
What does a free check not cover?
Outstanding finance, stolen markers and insurance write-offs are not in the free checks. A paid history check covers those.