Key takeaway: You cannot check the Police National Computer for free, but CarCostCheck's premium check includes a full stolen vehicle check for £4.99. That is 75% cheaper than typical alternatives. The free check also reveals warning signs like missing MOT history and mileage anomalies that can indicate a stolen vehicle.
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Why Stolen Checks Matter
Buying a stolen car is more common than people think. According to the Office for National Statistics, around 130,000 vehicles are stolen in England and Wales each year. Many are broken for parts, but a significant number are re-registered, cloned, or sold to unsuspecting buyers.
If you buy a stolen car, the police will seize it. You lose the vehicle and the money you paid. There is no consumer protection for this. Your only recourse is against the seller, who may be untraceable. A £4.99 check is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.
Free Warning Signs to Look For
Before spending anything, there are several red flags you can check for free:
1. Check the MOT History
Use CarCostCheck's free report to see the full MOT history. Look for:
- Gaps in the MOT timeline: A legitimate car should have annual MOT tests (after the first 3 years). Unexplained gaps could mean the car was off the road, out of the country, or stolen.
- Mileage inconsistencies: If the mileage drops between tests, the odometer has been tampered with. This is common with stolen and cloned vehicles.
- Sudden change in test location: If the car was always tested in Manchester and suddenly appears in London, question why.
2. Check the DVLA Details
The free CarCostCheck report includes DVLA data. Verify:
- The make, model, colour, and fuel type match the car in front of you
- The first registration date matches what the seller claims
- The tax status is current
3. Physical Checks
- VIN plate: Check the VIN plate on the dashboard (visible through the windscreen) and in the door jamb. Both should match. Look for signs of tampering.
- Registration plates: Check for mismatched fonts, non-standard spacing, or plates that look newer than the car.
- Locks: Check all door locks and the ignition. Signs of forced entry or replacement locks are major red flags.
- Documentation: Ask for the V5C (logbook). Check the watermark, print quality, and that the VIN matches the car. The V5C should have a DVL watermark visible when held up to light.
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The Cheapest Way to Run a Stolen Check
A formal stolen vehicle check queries the Police National Computer (PNC). This requires a licensed data provider and always costs money. Here is how prices compare:
| Service | Stolen Check Price | Also Includes |
|---|---|---|
| CarCostCheck Premium | £4.99 | Finance, write-off, keeper, VIN, colour + 10 free checks (MOT, mileage, reliability, costs) |
| Typical paid service | £19.99 | Finance, write-off, keeper, mileage |
CarCostCheck's premium at £4.99 includes the stolen check plus 15 other checks. Typical paid alternatives charge £19.99 for fewer checks.
How a Stolen Check Actually Works
When you run a stolen check, the service queries:
- Police National Computer (PNC): The central database of stolen vehicles in the UK
- Vehicle registration records: Cross-references the registration against reported thefts
- VIN records: Checks the Vehicle Identification Number against stolen and cloned vehicle databases
If the car appears on any of these databases, the report flags it immediately. If it comes back clear, you know the car has not been reported stolen at the time of the check.
What About Car Cloning?
Car cloning is when criminals copy the identity of a legitimate car and apply it to a stolen one. The stolen car gets new plates matching a real car of the same make, model, and colour. This makes it harder to detect.
A VIN check helps here. The VIN is stamped into the chassis and is much harder to alter than number plates. CarCostCheck premium includes VIN verification, which cross-references the VIN against the registered identity. If they do not match, the car may be cloned.
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | CarCostCheck Free | CarCostCheck Premium £4.99 | Typical Paid Service £19.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full MOT history (every test since 2005) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| MOT advisories in plain English | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Estimated repair costs per advisory | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mileage verification / clocking detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reliability score (0-100) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Annual running costs breakdown | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fuel cost calculator | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Insurance group estimation | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Red flag alerts | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Common faults for make/model | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stolen check (PNC) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance check | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Write-off check (Cat A/B/N/S) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Previous keeper count | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIN verification | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Colour change history | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | Free | £4.99 | £19.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check if a car is stolen for free?
There is no free stolen vehicle database. CarCostCheck's free check reveals warning signs (mileage gaps, missing MOTs), and the premium at £4.99 includes a full PNC stolen check.
What happens if I buy a stolen car?
The police will seize it. You lose the car and the money. There is no legal protection even if you bought in good faith.
How does a stolen car check work?
It queries the Police National Computer through licensed data providers like Experian, checking the registration and VIN against records of reported thefts.
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12 checks included. Free MOT analysis, mileage verification, running costs, and more. Premium stolen, finance, and write-off checks for just £4.99.
Related reading: Car Finance Check Free UK | What is a Cat N Write-Off? | Full Feature Comparison