Free Car Check
Enter your registration once for a clear, combined report: MOT, tax, clean-air zone compliance, mileage insights, advisories and a Garage.co.uk Vehicle Health Score.
100% free. No paid valuation or HPI-style history. Built from official MOT, DVLA and clean-air data.
Our free car check brings together key information such as MOT status, vehicle tax and clean-air zone compliance. It is designed to help drivers understand the basics quickly before deciding what to do next. It does not include a paid valuation or paid history checks.
What is a free car check?
A free car check brings together key public information about a vehicle into one report. The Garage.co.uk car check combines MOT status and history, road tax status, clean-air zone compliance, mileage insights and MOT advisories so you can understand the basics quickly before deciding what to do next.
What does the Garage.co.uk car check include?
It includes the vehicle summary (make, model, colour, fuel, year and emissions where available), an overall status, a Vehicle Health Score, MOT status and history, an MOT risk view, mileage analysis, MOT advisory insight, vehicle tax status, ULEZ, CAZ, LEZ and ZEZ compliance, running cost indicators and recommended next steps.
Can I check MOT and tax together?
Yes. You enter your registration once and the report shows MOT status and history alongside vehicle tax status, plus clean-air zone compliance, in a single view. You can still use the individual MOT and tax checkers if you prefer.
Does this include a car valuation?
No. This is a free report and does not include a paid valuation, outstanding finance, insurance write-off, stolen vehicle or keeper history (HPI-style) data. It focuses on the free information that helps you understand the condition and compliance basics.
Why check clean-air zone compliance?
Many UK cities operate clean-air zones such as ULEZ, CAZ, LEZ and ZEZ. If a vehicle does not meet the standard, a daily charge can apply when driving into affected areas. Checking compliance first helps you avoid unexpected charges.
What should I do if my car has MOT advisories?
Advisories are not immediate failures, but they can become more expensive if ignored. It is worth reviewing them with a trusted garage and, where needed, booking an inspection, a repair or MOT preparation before your next test.
What is the Vehicle Health Score?
The Vehicle Health Score is a simple 0 to 100 guide that summarises the vehicle at a glance. It is based on MOT status, tax status, the mileage pattern, recent MOT advisories and the clean-air compliance we can see. A "Why this score?" breakdown lists the positive and negative factors behind it. It is a Garage.co.uk guidance score to help you get a feel for the car, not an official rating.
How does the mileage check work?
The report reads the mileage recorded at each MOT, works out the average annual mileage and compares it with the typical UK average, and estimates the mileage today. It also flags anything unusual, such as a reading that appears to drop or jump between tests, which can indicate a recording error or a tampered odometer worth questioning before you buy.
Does the car check show the road tax cost?
Where there is enough information, the report shows an estimated annual and six-month road tax (VED) cost, worked out from the current government rate tables. The actual amount can differ for electric vehicles and for cars with a list price over £40,000, so treat it as a guide.
Does it check for safety recalls?
Yes. The report shows the DVSA outstanding safety-recall status and lists any recalls that match the vehicle's make, model and build. If a recall applies, the manufacturer or an authorised dealer must carry out the work free of charge, so it is worth confirming it has been done.
What are the running cost indicators and fuel economy estimate?
These give a general feel for what the car may cost to run: indicators such as fuel type and emissions band, plus an estimated fuel economy (mpg), a cost per mile and an estimated annual fuel cost. They are worked out from the official CO2 figure, fuel type and the car's own average mileage at current prices, so they are estimates rather than guaranteed figures.
What is the estimated maintenance risk?
This is a general estimate of how much upkeep the vehicle may need, based on its age, mileage and MOT history. It is guidance to help you plan, not a forecast of exact repair costs.
What vehicle specification details does it show?
From official DVLA records the report shows details such as make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size, year, CO2 and emissions, wheelplan, type-approval category, Real Driving Emissions step and when the V5C logbook was last issued. It also flags if a vehicle is marked for export, which is worth confirming before you buy.
Where does the data come from and how accurate is it?
The report is compiled from official DVSA (MOT) and DVLA records and is refreshed each time you run a check. Public data can occasionally be incomplete or out of date, so the report is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for a professional inspection or a paid history check before you buy.
Do I need to register or pay?
No. The car check is completely free and needs no account. Just enter the registration number and you get the full report straight away.
Related free checks and tools
Prefer to check one thing at a time? Use our free MOT history checker, car tax checker or ULEZ compliance checker for a single-focus result. For an estimated price, try the free car valuation, and when you are ready for work, find a trusted garage near you.