Official UK vehicle data. Sourced from DVLA & DVSA records.
Guides

UK car guides, written to be useful

Practical guides on vehicle documents, road tax, history checks and buying a used car — based on official DVLA & DVSA guidance, and linked to the checks that verify each answer against real records.

Vehicle documentation

V5C Logbook: The Complete UK Guide

What a V5C log book is, what each section means, where to find the V5C number, and how to buy, sell, replace or tax a car without the logbook.

16 min readRead the guide →
Buying a car

Used Car Buying Checklist: Documents & Checks Before You Pay

What documents and paperwork you should get when buying a used car in the UK — V5C, MOT, receipt, proof of ownership — plus the checks to run first.

19 min readRead the guide →
MOT

MOT History: How to Check It and Read It Like an Inspector

How to check a car’s MOT history, what pass, fail, advisory and dangerous defects really mean, the documents you need for an MOT, and how to spot trouble before buying.

16 min readRead the guide →
Vehicle history

How to Check if a Car Is Stolen in the UK

Check if a car is stolen before you buy: run a stolen car check by number plate, match the VIN to the V5C, spot clones and know what the DVLA can’t tell you.

18 min readRead the guide →
Vehicle history

Outstanding Finance & HPI Checks Explained

What an HPI check is, how outstanding finance works (HP vs PCP), what happens if you buy a car a lender still owns, and how to check any car before you pay.

15 min readRead the guide →
Tax & legal

UK Road Tax (VED): The Complete Guide

How to tax your car in the UK: what documents you need, taxing without a V5C or MOT, VED rates and bands, SORN, refunds, DVLA fines and appeals.

19 min readRead the guide →
Tax & legal

SORN: How to Declare Your Car Off the Road

How to declare your car or motorbike SORN with the DVLA: the free online, phone and V890 routes, the tax refund, how long a SORN lasts and how to end it.

16 min readRead the guide →
Electric vehicles

EV Battery Health Check: The UK Buyer’s Guide

How to check EV battery health before buying: state of health, degradation, warranties, DIY and professional battery tests, plus hybrid battery checks.

18 min readRead the guide →