Vehicle check
Stolen car check
A stolen car can be seized by the police, and the buyer gets no compensation. Enter the reg: the free check runs first, and the stolen marker, insurer theft records and identity checks are part of the £9.99 Full History Report.
What the stolen check looks at
- The stolen-vehicle record used by the police and insurers: whether the car currently carries a stolen marker.
- Insurer theft records: whether an insurer has ever paid out for this car as stolen, which is how a recovered stolen car re-enters the market.
- Identity: previous registrations and plate changes, so a car wearing a borrowed identity shows up as a mismatch to question.
What the result means
| Result | What the record says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | No stolen marker and no theft record found. | Still check the VIN against the V5C: a record can lag a theft by days. |
| Theft loss recorded | An insurer paid out for this car as stolen. It may have been recovered and sold on legitimately. | Ask how it was recovered and how it returned to the market, and ask for the settlement paperwork. |
| Recorded as stolen | A live stolen marker. The police can seize the car. | Do not hand over any money until the record has been cleared by the police or the insurer, in writing. |
If the car is flagged
- Ask the seller how the car was recovered, who sold it to them, and for the insurer's settlement letter.
- Check the VIN on the car itself, at the base of the windscreen, on the door pillar and under the bonnet, against the V5C. Recovered stolen cars are a common target for cloning.
- Check the V5C keeper matches the seller and the address you are meeting at; our V5C guide lists every field.
- Only pay once all three line up, and never a deposit before that.
The full walk-through is in how to check if a car is stolen before you buy.
Free check, then the report
The free check shows the MOT history, tax and MOT status, ULEZ status, AI condition score and market price. The stolen marker is item 3 of the Full History Report, £9.99 one-off, no subscription, 60 days' access, delivered instantly. It shows what the records hold; no check can guarantee a car's past.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check if a car is stolen for free?+
Not the marker itself: stolen-vehicle records are not public data, so no free check can show them. What is free is the warning signs: a seller who cannot produce the V5C, a VIN that does not match the logbook, a price well under the market, or a meeting away from the seller's address. The marker check is part of the Full History Report.
Can a stolen car have a valid MOT?+
Yes. The MOT is a roadworthiness test and says nothing about who owns the car or whether it is recorded as stolen. A stolen car can pass an MOT and be taxed.
What is "Category Stolen"?+
An insurer's theft-related category, used when a car was stolen, paid out on, and later recovered. It is not the same as Cat S, which is structural damage. A car can carry both records.
What happens if I unknowingly buy a stolen car?+
The car remains the property of its rightful owner or their insurer and can be seized by the police, and the money you paid is usually lost unless you can recover it from the seller. Report it to Action Fraud and the police, and tell your insurer. Checking before you pay is far cheaper.
Last updated September 2026.