Before spending anything, there are several red flags you can check for free: (Our free car check guide covers everything that is free to check.)
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.
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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Enter a Reg Plate
CarCostCheck's £4.99 check includes the stolen check alongside the other core checks, for a third of the AA's price. The bigger names do add a £30,000 guarantee, which we do not offer.
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.
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 shows the last four characters of the VIN on record for that registration. Compare them with the VIN on the car and on the V5C: if they do not match, the car may be cloned.
| Feature | CarCostCheck Free | CarCostCheck Premium £4.99 |
|---|
| Full MOT history (every test since 2005) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MOT advisories in plain English | ✓ | ✓ |
| Estimated repair costs per advisory | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mileage check / clocking detection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reliability score (0-100) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Running costs (fuel, road tax, MOT, repairs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Red flag alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Common faults from the car's MOT history | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safety recall check | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stolen check (PNC) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance check | ✗ | ✓ |
| Write-off check (Cat A/B/N/S) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Previous keeper count | ✗ | ✓ |
| VIN check | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plate change history | ✗ | ✓ |
| Valuation | Estimated range | £2.99 extra |
| Price | Free | £4.99 |
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.
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Related reading: Stolen Car Check Prices Compared | Cheapest Car Finance Check UK | What is a Cat N Write-Off? | Car History Check Comparison 2026