KNOW
BEFORE
YOU BUY

A carDNA check includes vehicle make and model, colour, year of manufacture, engine capacity, fuel type, Euro emissions standard, CO₂ emissions with visual band chart, annual road tax cost and VED band, ULEZ status, current tax status and due date, MOT expiry with alert, and full MOT history — every test, pass or fail result, mileage and advisories. All data is sourced directly from DVLA and DVSA in real time.

Yes — completely free. No account, no sign-up, no hidden charges. Enter any UK number plate and results are displayed instantly. carDNA is funded by advertising and optional paid history reports for users who want more detailed information.

Vehicle data is sourced from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) via their official Vehicle Enquiry Service API. MOT history is sourced from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) via their official MOT History API. Both are official UK government sources. carDNA does not modify or interpret the data — what you see is exactly what official records hold at the time of your search.

When an insurer writes off a vehicle, they assign a category. Category S means structural damage — chassis, frame or crumple zones affected. It can be repaired and returned to the road but must be re-registered with DVLA. Category N means non-structural damage — bodywork, electronics or cosmetics — with no structural damage. Both remain on a vehicle's history permanently and can significantly affect insurance premiums and resale value. Read our full write-off guide for more.

The road tax figure is calculated using official DVLA VED band rates based on CO₂ emissions and registration year. We maintain current band rates and update them following each budget announcement. VED rates change every April so figures may vary slightly depending on when you renew. We always recommend verifying the exact amount at gov.uk/vehicle-tax before payment.

The full MOT history shows every test the vehicle has had, including date, pass or fail result, mileage recorded, and any advisories or failure reasons. This is extremely useful when buying a used car — you can see recurring issues, whether the mileage looks consistent across tests, and how well the vehicle has been maintained. Learn how to read it in our MOT history guide.

The free check covers substantial official DVLA and DVSA data, but some important checks require a full vehicle history report — including insurance write-off category, stolen vehicle status, outstanding finance, previous keeper count, number plate changes, and auction and salvage history. Private sellers are not legally required to disclose any of these. If you are buying a used car a full history check is strongly recommended alongside the free carDNA check.

Outstanding finance is not held on DVLA or DVSA records and cannot be checked for free. If a car has outstanding finance the legal owner is technically the finance company — meaning you could lose the car even after paying for it. A full vehicle history check will reveal any outstanding finance registered against the vehicle. Always check before purchasing any used car.

Yes — carDNA works with any current UK number plate format including the current two-letter, two-number, three-letter format (AB12 CDE), older prefix and suffix formats, and personalised registration plates. Northern Ireland registrations are also supported.

Buying a used car without checking its history is a significant financial risk. Around one in three used cars has some form of hidden history — accident damage, outstanding finance, mileage discrepancy or stolen status. Private sellers have no legal obligation to disclose any of these issues. A free carDNA check takes seconds and gives you the official DVLA and DVSA data. For complete peace of mind a full history check is strongly recommended. See our used car buying checklist.