Free Car Checks: Tax, MOT & ULEZ

Yes. The official DVLA, DVSA, TfL and GOV.UK checks are all free and need no sign-up — just the registration number.

Generally, petrol cars need to meet Euro 4 (most registered from 2006) and diesel cars need to meet Euro 6 (most registered from September 2015). Always confirm with TfL’s official vehicle checker before driving in London.

Use the official MOT history or vehicle enquiry service with your registration to see your MOT expiry date. You can legally get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it expires and keep the same renewal date.

The DVLA vehicle enquiry service shows whether a vehicle is taxed, untaxed or SORN, and when tax is due. Vehicle tax does not transfer when a car is sold, so the new keeper must tax it before driving.

No. DVLA and DVSA data do not include finance, insurance write-off or stolen markers. For those you need a paid vehicle history check.