MOTCO
Vehicle History Check

Check if a car is stolen

Search any UK reg or VIN against the Police National Database before you buy. A stolen car can be seized from your driveway with no compensation. Full check £5.99 inc. VAT, the cheapest in the UK.

Free MOT, mileage, tax and specs in seconds. Stolen, finance and write-off checks in the £4.99 report.

Police database
Checked against records used UK-wide
£5.99 inc. VAT
Full report. Cheapest in the UK.
No subscription
No account, no recurring payments
ICO registered
Data protection compliant

The £4.99 report covers more than stolen status

One affordable report protects a £5,000 to £20,000 purchase.

  • Stolen check against the Police National Database
  • Outstanding finance (HP, PCP and lease)
  • Insurance write-off categories A, B, S and N
  • Mileage verification and anomaly flags

How stolen vehicles end up for sale

Not every stolen car looks like one. Knowing how they reach the private market shows why a check matters even on vehicles that seem legitimate.

Re-plated vehicles
Stolen cars are sometimes fitted with plates from a similar written-off vehicle. The paperwork looks legitimate because it matches a real car. Checking the reg and VIN together catches this.
Sold before reported
Some cars are sold fast, before the owner realises they are gone or before the theft is logged. The car is stolen but not yet flagged, which is why seller identity and payment method still matter.
Recovered and resold
Some stolen vehicles are recovered, passed through insurance and sold at auction with a salvage title. Legal to buy, but the history must be declared. An undisclosed stolen-then-recovered car is a different risk entirely.

What buying a stolen car actually means

Police seizure of a stolen car is immediate and without compensation.

Car seized with no warning
Police can act on a database match at any time. Traffic stops, ANPR cameras and roadside checks all trigger automated alerts. You could lose the car the same day you drive it home.
No compensation
There is no statutory right to a refund when police seize a stolen car. The car goes to the rightful owner or insurer. Your money is gone.
Altered identities
Stolen cars are sometimes given false registrations. A check on the actual VIN is the safest verification, which is why MOTCO lets you search by reg or VIN.
Criminal risk
Knowingly handling stolen goods is a criminal offence. Even unknowing buyers may face questions during a seizure. Keep proof of purchase and all documentation.
Check a reg or VIN now

How it works

1
Enter reg or VIN
Works on all UK-registered vehicles. No account needed.
2
Free results instantly
MOT history, mileage, tax status and specs load straight away.
3
Add the full report
Stolen check via the Police National Database, plus finance, write-off and mileage verification for £5.99 inc. VAT.

If the check finds the vehicle is stolen

Do not complete the purchase until you have worked through these steps.

1
Do not complete the purchase
If the check returns a stolen flag, the transaction must stop immediately. There is no legitimate reason to proceed with a purchase of a stolen vehicle.
2
Do not hand over any money
Once money changes hands on a stolen car, recovery is through civil court only. The seller will likely be unreachable and you have no statutory protection.
3
Do not return the vehicle to the seller if you already have it
Contact police before doing anything else. Returning the vehicle to a seller connected to theft may complicate the criminal case.
4
Report to police via 101
Contact your local police force with the registration number and any seller details you have. Do not confront the seller directly.
5
Keep all records of the transaction
Save every message, email, advertisement and payment record from the seller. These are required by police and will support any civil claim you pursue.

Related guides

Stolen car check: common questions

What happens if I buy a stolen car?

Police can seize a stolen vehicle at any time, including from your driveway. The car belongs to the original owner or insurer, not to you. You lose the car with no right to compensation from the state, and your only recourse is to pursue whoever sold it to you.

How does the stolen car check work?

MOTCO checks the registration against the Police National Database (PND), which records vehicles reported stolen across the UK. A match means the vehicle is currently recorded as stolen by police. The result is returned instantly as part of the full history report.

Does the check cover all UK police forces?

The Police National Database is the central system used by every UK police force to record stolen vehicles, covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How much does the stolen check cost?

The stolen vehicle check is included in the full history report at £5.99 inc. VAT, the cheapest in the UK. The same report also covers outstanding finance, write-off history and mileage verification. MOT history, mileage, tax and specs are always free.

Do I need an account or subscription?

No. There are no accounts, no recurring payments and no subscriptions. MOTCO is registered with the ICO for data protection, and reports draw on up-to-date data from trusted third-party sources and official databases.

Can I check a car I have already bought?

Yes. Enter the reg or VIN at any time. If a check raises a stolen flag on a vehicle you already hold, contact police on 101 before doing anything else and keep all records of the purchase.

Check before you buy

Stolen check via the Police National Database, plus outstanding finance, write-off history and mileage verification. Full report £5.99 inc. VAT.

Run a check
Outstanding finance checkWrite-off checkFull vehicle history check

Stolen vehicle data is checked against the Police National Database, operated by the National Police Chiefs' Council. Wider vehicle records are drawn from up-to-date, trusted third-party sources and official databases. Reviewed by the MOTCO vehicle data team. Updated June 2026.