How to check if a car is stolen
In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know about how to check if a car is stolen before purchasing a vehicle and what to do if you've purchased a stolen car.
Key takeaways
Making use of free DVLA and MOT checks can help you spot inconsistencies, but the DVLA vehicle enquiry service won't tell you if a car is recorded as stolen
You should check the original V5C, vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number against the car before paying
A fuller vehicle history check can flag a stolen car, but a clean report doesn't completely rule out cloning or fraud
How can I check if a car is stolen?
There is no single free check that can completely rule out a stolen or cloned car. Before you buy the car, be sure to compare its official records, paperwork and identification numbers, then consider a fuller vehicle history check.
Check the car’s DVLA details
You can use the free UK government vehicle enquiry service. Enter the car’s registration number to check that details such as the make, colour, engine size, fuel type, registration date and latest V5C issue date match the car and the information provided by the seller.
The DVLA service won't tell you whether a vehicle is recorded as stolen. Instead, you should look for details that don't match. An unexplained difference could mean the car’s identity or paperwork needs further checks.
Check the MOT history
You can check a car’s MOT history for free using its registration number. This shows previous test results, recorded mileage, failures and advisories, as well as when the next MOT is due.
Compare the mileage and vehicle details with the advert, V5C and service history. For example, an unexplained drop in mileage or information that doesn't fit the seller’s account could be a warning sign.
The MOT check doesn't confirm whether a car is stolen, but it can help you spot inconsistencies in its history.
Look at the original V5C logbook
Ask to see the original V5C registration certificate rather than relying on a photograph or photocopy. Make sure its vehicle details match both the car and the information held by DVLA.
Advice on the UK government website website says the V5C should have a ‘DVL’ watermark - its serial number should not fall between BG8229501 and BG9999030 or BI2305501 and BI2800000, as documents within these ranges might've been stolen. The DVLA also advises against buying a vehicle if the seller can't give you a V5C.
Match the VIN and engine number
Find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the car and check that it matches the number shown on the V5C. Depending on the vehicle, the VIN may appear in more than one location, so check thoroughly if you can.
You should also compare the engine number with the V5C. If the numbers don't match, if they appear altered, or the surrounding plates, labels or rivets look disturbed, don't buy the car until this has been properly explained.
Use a vehicle history check
A paid vehicle history check can search records that aren't included in the standard DVLA or MOT services. Depending on the provider, the report may tell you if the vehicle has been recorded as stolen, and might also flag outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, plate changes or mileage issues.
Check exactly which databases and protections are included before choosing a service. A clean report is useful evidence, but it should sit alongside the physical VIN, V5C and DVLA checks rather than replace them, especially because a cloned vehicle could be using the identity of a legitimate car.
If any of these checks reveal information that doesn't match, ask the seller for an explanation and evidence before paying. If you can't confirm the vehicle’s identity, walk away.
Which stolen car checks are free?
There are a few free and useful vehicle checks, though none of them will prove on its own that a car is legitimate.
DVLA vehicle information and MOT history are available online through GOV.UK, while checking the V5C and VIN requires access to the car and its documents.
Check | What it can show | What it doesn't prove |
|---|---|---|
DVLA vehicle information | Tax, MOT, engine, fuel, registration and other recorded details | Whether the car is recorded as stolen |
MOT history | Mileage, passes, failures and advisories | Ownership or stolen status |
Safety recall check | Recorded safety recalls | Whether the car is legitimate |
V5C and VIN check | Whether the car and its documents appear to agree | That documents or identifiers haven't been forged |
Fuller vehicle history check | Can include stolen, finance and write-off records | That every incident or fraud has been recorded |
A clean result lowers the number of warning signs, but it does not guarantee that a vehicle has never been stolen or cloned.
Does the DVLA checker show if a car is stolen?
No, the DVLA vehicle enquiry service shows information such as tax status, MOT expiry, engine size, fuel type, colour and the date the last V5C was issued, but it won't actually say if the car is stolen.
You can use the DVLA information to check whether the car in front of you matches its official record - if the make, colour, engine details or other information don't match, look into it before paying.
How can I spot a cloned car?
A cloned car is a vehicle using some or all of another vehicle’s identity, such as its registration number or VIN. This can make a stolen vehicle appear legitimate when basic registration checks are carried out.
If the VINs don't match up, the car might be using another vehicle's identity
If the VIN plate or surrounding trim looks disturbed, an identifier may have been changed
If the car's details don't match its DVLA record, the registration may belong to another vehicle
If the seller won't allow a proper inspection, they might be concealing something
If the price is unusually low, the seller might be trying to complete the sale quickly
What does a vehicle history check show?
A vehicle history check combines information from different records to help you identify problems that may not appear through free DVLA and MOT checks. Depending on the provider and report, it can include:
A recorded stolen-vehicle marker
Outstanding finance
Recorded insurance write-offs
Scrapped or exported records
Registration plate changes
Available mileage information
The exact information varies between providers, so check what data is included before paying for a report.
What can a vehicle history check miss?
A vehicle history report can't guarantee that everything that's ever happened to a car will appear.
A problem may be missing because it has not been reported, the source data has not yet been updated or the provider does not use that source.
A cloned car can also return information belonging to a legitimate vehicle whose identity was copied.
What warning signs should I look for before paying?
You should look at the seller and transaction as carefully as you look at the car - fraud is more likely to leave several small inconsistencies than one obvious sign:
The seller’s identity or address doesn't make sense
You can't view the car at a genuine address
The seller won't show you the car's V5C
The advert and physical car don't match
You're being pressured to pay quickly
The seller wants payment through an unusual method
They can't explain why they aren't the registered keeper
The price is much lower than comparable cars
One warning sign could have an innocent explanation, but several together are a good reason to walk away.
What should I do if a car is flagged as stolen?
Don't buy the car if a check shows a credible stolen-vehicle marker - you should:
Stop the transaction and do not make any further payments
Save the advert, vehicle history report and messages with the seller
Check that you entered the correct registration details
Contact the history-check provider if you think the result may be wrong
Report suspected vehicle crime to the police
Tell the website or marketplace where the car was advertised
Avoid confronting the seller if you feel unsafe
Call 999 if a crime is happening or someone is in immediate danger. Otherwise, you can report suspected crime through 101 or your local police force’s online service.
What should I do if I have already bought the car?
Contact the police if you discover or seriously suspect that a car you bought was stolen. Don't just drive it back to the seller.
Keep your receipt, bank records, advert, messages, vehicle history report and any other evidence showing how you bought the car. The police can tell you what to do with the vehicle.
If you unknowingly bought a stolen car, you would not normally get into trouble simply because you didn't know. Once you suspect it is stolen, however, contact the police rather than keeping it or returning it to the seller yourself.
Can I get my money back?
You may be able to recover your money if the car is confirmed as stolen, but the route depends on who sold it and how you paid.
Bought from a dealer
Ask the dealer for your money back and show them evidence that the vehicle's been confirmed as stolen. If the dealer refuses, you should consider getting consumer advice or contacting the financial ombudsman service before taking further action.
Bought from a private seller
Contact the seller and ask for a refund - a private seller must have the right to sell the car. Keep evidence of the advert, payment and any communication in case you need to pursue the money through court.
Paid by credit card
You may be able to make a Section 75 claim if the cash price of the car is more than £100 and no more than £30,000 and the purchase meets the other requirements - for example. Section 75 might not apply when a third party sits between you and the seller.
Bought using vehicle finance
Contact the finance provider immediately and explain what has happened - your options will depend on the type of agreement and who supplied the car. Follow the lender’s complaints process if necessary and get advice before stopping any payments.
Paid by debit card or bank transfer
Contact your bank as soon as possible - a debit-card payment might qualify for chargeback. If you were tricked into making a bank transfer to a fraudster, reimbursement rules might also apply depending on the payment method and circumstances.
What should I do if a car may have been stolen and abandoned?
Report suspected crime to the police, but a car that appears abandoned is not necessarily stolen.
Call 999 if a crime is happening, someone is in danger or there's an immediate serious risk
Use 101 or online police reporting if you have a specific non-emergency reason to suspect a crime
Report a vehicle that simply appears abandoned through your local council or local authority
Do not enter, move or interfere with the vehicle
Note the registration, description and location if you can do so safely
Do not confront anyone or publish the vehicle’s exact location online
What should I check before paying for a car?
Before completing your purchase, make sure you've:
Seen the original V5C
Matched the VIN and vehicle details
Checked the seller’s identity and address
Saved the original advert and messages
Agreed a traceable payment method
Arranged a dated receipt
Completed any vehicle history check you want to use
Do not let a deposit, long journey or pressure from the seller persuade you to ignore something that does not add up.
Frequently asked questions
Can the police check a VIN before I buy a car?
Possibly, but there aren't any national pre-purchase police checking services. Whether a police force will provide information about a vehicle before purchase can depend on local policy. A vehicle history check is the more typical route for checking recorded stolen status.
Is the V5C proof that the seller owns the car?
No, the V5C identifies the registered keeper and records information about the vehicle, but it isn't definitive proof of the car's legal ownership. You should ask for other evidence where necessary, such as a receipt or bill of sale.
What should I do if the seller has no V5C?
Don't complete the purchase until you understand why it's missing. The V5C is one of the main ways to check the vehicle against its official identity.
How up to date are stolen vehicle check results?
It depends on the provider and the databases it uses. Be sure to check when the underlying information was last updated and whether the provider explains possible reporting delays.
Does a clean report guarantee the car hasn't been cloned?
No, a cloned vehicle may return apparently clean information belonging to the genuine vehicle whose identity has been copied. You should check the physical VINs, V5C and vehicle details as well to be sure everything matches.
Does a vehicle history report show every accident?
No, reports depend on the records available to the provider. Damage that was never reported to an insurer or another data source may not appear, so a history report should not replace a physical inspection.
Do I need to check a car bought from a dealer?
Yes, buying from a dealer can give you stronger consumer rights if something goes wrong, but you should still check the car’s identity, documents, MOT history and other records before paying.
Will insurance cover a stolen car I unknowingly bought?
Don't assume it will. Standard theft cover generally deals with your insured car being stolen from you rather than reimbursing money paid for a vehicle that was already stolen. Check your policy or speak to your insurer if this happens.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
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Collette Shackleton
Content Writer
Collette is an experienced Content Writer at MoneySuperMarket, helping people make sense of money and insurance topics without the jargon. She shares her experience as a first-time Mum and top...
