Start with the vehicle's identification number, confirm the returned details and review the free information. Paid options are Basic Check at £3.99, Gold Check at £6.99 and Full Check at £10.99. Packages include different checks; review the current price and included fields before purchase.
Find the VIN on the vehicle or its V5C log book. Most modern vehicles use 17 characters; the position on the vehicle varies by model.
Type or paste the VIN into the form above. Compare the returned vehicle details with the car and its documents before proceeding.
Review the free information first. If you need more history, compare the paid packages and follow the purchase steps. Full Check is £10.99; confirm the price and included checks before paying.
Check Car Details offers a free lookup for basic vehicle information and a paid report for additional history checks. Our VIN check searches available records associated with the vehicle; its accident, finance and ownership history is not encoded in the VIN itself. Data coverage varies by vehicle and source.
The free report also provides links to other services. An insurance-check link does not confirm insurance cover, and a service-history link does not include maintenance records in the free report. Manufacturer service history is a separate paid product. Missing fields do not establish a clear history, and no report assesses the vehicle's current mechanical condition.
Most modern vehicles use a standardised 17-character VIN containing letters and numbers, excluding I, O and Q. Older vehicles may use a different identifier. The sections below describe the general structure; individual character meanings depend on the manufacturer and applicable market conventions.
| Positions | Section | What It Tells You |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) | Identifies the manufacturer through its assigned code. Do not use this section alone to confirm the vehicle's exact assembly location. |
| 4 to 9 | Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) | Manufacturer-defined vehicle descriptors. The coding may identify attributes such as model or engine. Check-digit rules depend on the applicable VIN convention; they are not explained by a simple UK-versus-US distinction. |
| 10 to 17 | Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) | The identifying section, including the manufacturer's vehicle sequence. Year and plant coding depend on the VIN convention; do not assume positions 10 and 11 have the same meaning for every UK vehicle. |
Use the complete identifier to compare the vehicle with its documents. Decoding individual characters does not establish that a car is genuine, debt-free or undamaged. Consult the manufacturer's information for the coding used by that model. For an example of locating a VIN, see Ford's VIN guide.
Check the owner's manual for the specific vehicle. Common VIN locations include the following, but the side and precise position can vary:
If identifiers differ, pause the purchase and investigate the cause with the seller, manufacturer or report provider. An error may have an innocent explanation. If you suspect tampering or a stolen vehicle, seek police advice before proceeding.
Vehicle cloning involves disguising one vehicle with another vehicle's identity, for example by copying its registration. A database lookup may return information about the legitimate vehicle, so checking the physical car and its documents remains essential.
Compare the VIN on the vehicle with the V5C and the identifiers returned in the report. Look for differences in make, model or other details and ask for an explanation. A mismatch warrants investigation but does not, by itself, prove cloning.
A matching VIN and registration do not guarantee that a vehicle is genuine: identifiers can be copied or altered. Use the report alongside the original documents, the seller's supporting evidence and an appropriate physical inspection.
In DVSA guidance, VIN and chassis number are often used for the same vehicle identifier. A chassis number is not necessarily a shorter part of the VIN. Older vehicles may have a chassis identifier that does not follow the modern 17-character format.
Use the full identifier shown on the vehicle and its documents. Do not shorten it or add characters to make it fit. If an older identifier is unsupported, ask the manufacturer or report provider about available alternatives.
Our sample report demonstrates the report format and the kinds of records that may be returned. It is an example, not evidence of a completed check on the vehicle you are considering. Available fields and records vary.
Check Car Details provides this lookup and report service. Registration information, MOT records, finance, insurance and stolen-vehicle checks use different sources. For a disputed result, contact us with the report reference and supporting documents so the issue can be investigated.
The initial lookup provides available vehicle details, tax and MOT information, mileage information and specifications free of charge. Paid options are Basic Check at £3.99, Gold Check at £6.99 and Full Check at £10.99. Coverage differs between packages; review the current price and included checks before paying.
Common locations include a plate visible through the windscreen, a door frame or pillar, and a stamped body or chassis location. The VIN also appears on the V5C log book. Locations vary by model; consult the owner's manual or manufacturer guidance.
The free report shows available vehicle, tax, MOT, mileage and specification information. Full Check adds history checks including recorded finance, insurance write-offs, stolen status, keeper changes and salvage records. Other paid packages have different coverage. Manufacturer service history is a separate paid product.
A VIN decoder interprets manufacturer coding to describe a vehicle. A history check searches records associated with it, such as finance or insurance information. Decoding a VIN does not reveal its accident history, and a successful decode does not establish that the physical vehicle is genuine.
VIN and chassis number are often used for the same identifier in UK vehicle documents. Modern VINs generally contain 17 characters; older chassis identifiers may use other formats. Use the complete identifier from the vehicle and its documents, not an assumed shorter section.
It can help reveal inconsistencies when you compare the returned records with the physical vehicle and documents. However, a clone may copy a legitimate vehicle's identifiers. A matching database result cannot guarantee that the car is genuine or has not been stolen.
Check that you copied the identifier correctly and compare it with another location on the vehicle or its documents. Do not alter an older identifier to force a 17-character format. A valid VIN may be unsupported or have limited records, particularly for older or imported vehicles. No match is not evidence of a clear history; contact the report provider if you need help.
Check the vehicle identifiers and dates, then retain the report reference and relevant supporting documents. Contact Check Car Details to query the result. Recent events may not yet appear and some fields may be unavailable. Check the purchase terms for the applicable cancellation or refund policy; missing records alone do not establish what refund applies.