Is this the same as a number plate check?

Yes. Reg check, number plate check and car registration check are usually the same intent. You enter the plate and review the MOT, tax and mileage records.

Can I run a reg check for free?

Yes. The latest MOT result, MOT expiry, tax status and latest recorded mileage are free.

What does the paid report add for £2.99?

It adds full MOT history, mileage checks across records and advert claims, signs of a cloned plate where vehicle details do not match, and a viewing checklist for that car.

Does a reg check tell me if a car has finance or is stolen?

No. Finance, stolen and write-off registers are private databases and are not checked here.

Where do the facts come from?

From the DVSA MOT history and the DVLA vehicle record, plus the advert you provide when you start from a link.

Free reg check for any UK car

What this page covers

People use "reg check", "car reg check", "registration check" and "number plate check" to mean slightly different things. This page is for all four. The practical question is the same: does this plate point to a car that is worth your time?

The free check is designed for shortlist speed. It helps you rule out obvious mismatches before you travel. It is not a purchase guarantee and it is not a substitute for a road test or a mechanic's inspection.

What is free, and what does the £2.99 report add?

Free now

Latest MOT result with its defects and advisories from DVSA MOT history
MOT expiry date
Tax status and due date from the DVLA record
Latest recorded mileage at MOT

Paid report, from £2.99 for one credit

Full MOT history timeline, including defects and advisories across prior tests
Mileage checks across MOT readings, advert figure and model-level norms
Seller advert claims tested against the records
Signs of a cloned plate when vehicle details seen in an advert or photo do not match the plate record
A practical viewing checklist for this specific car

If you only need a fast filter, use the free check. If you are likely to view or buy, unlock the report so you can question the seller with specifics.

What this check does not cover

This check does not search outstanding finance, the police stolen register or the insurance write-off register. If you need those registers, use a provider that holds them before payment. See RegTail vs HPI, RegTail vs the AA and RegTail vs CarCheck for side-by-side coverage.

How the reg check works

Enter the plate above, or start from an advert link or photo on the home page.
We match the registration to official records and return the free MOT, tax and mileage snapshot.
If you unlock, we add deeper checks and explain what to inspect in person.

The records are practical, but context matters. A clean latest MOT alone does not prove long-term reliability, and one fail does not always mean a bad car if it was repaired properly.

How to use this check before a viewing

Use the free result to ask better first questions:

"Your advert says one owner, can you show the V5C details at viewing?"
"The last MOT mentions corrosion on brake pipes, was that repaired?"
"The mileage has jumped less than expected, was the car off road for a period?"

Then cross-check by model so your expectations are realistic. A car can look normal for its age but still have known weak spots.

Helpful model and defect pages:

If you are new to MOT wording, read How to read an MOT history and Used car viewing checklist.

Related checks

This page focuses on plate-first screening. You may also want:

Car check for a wider buying workflow
MOT history check when your main question is repeated defects
Mileage check when your main question is possible clocking

For context from our own data, see Most reliable used cars by MOT pass rates.

Data sources: DVSA MOT history and DVLA vehicle record. This page is informational and is not an inspection.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
RegTail is independent and not affiliated with the DVLA or DVSA.