Car Owner Check
The number of previous owners (and registered keepers) of a car matters. If it’s more than 3 or 4, you might be better off looking for another vehicle. But not necessarily. If the dates tally, it could still be worth your money. So, is it a good buy or a risky hand-me-down? Get a car owner check by typing in the reg and we’ll help you decide.
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What's included in our full car check report?
Why do you need a car owner / keeper check?
Every used car has a history. And the more you know about that history, the higher your chances of buying a car that’s safe, legal and value for money. Getting a DVLA car ownership check is one of the most important car checks to consider when looking into the background of a car. Here’s why:
Above board or under the counter?
A DVLA car owner check will verify if the information held in the vehicle’s V5C log book matches the verified data held on the DVLA database. And help you spot potential signs of a scam in seconds. Does the information in the V5C match the information produced in the car owner check? If it does, great. If it doesn't, it could indicate that the document has been tampered with. Or that there’s been some form of fraudulent activity at some point in the car’s history.
Fit for purpose or prone to problems?
If a car has a history of multiple changes in ownership in relatively quick succession, it could mean that it’s also had significant issues. Or that there’s a major recurring problem that hasn’t been (or can’t be) fixed. Conversely, if a car’s had no more than 2 keepers it’s more likely to have a good service history and been properly maintained.
A car owner check can help determine which of these scenarios is more likely. By running a previous car owner check you’ll get access to car owner and registered keeper information you won’t find on a V5C log book, such as:
- the total number of previous keepers
- registration dates, and
- previous keeper sold dates
A good investment or not worth the money?
The number of previous owners or registered keepers a car has had will affect its resale value. If you’re in the trade and looking to sell the car on, doing a DVLA car owner check will help you decide if it’s worth investing in. And, if you do decide to invest, what price you could reasonably place on it. Yes, there are always exceptions, but typically if a car’s had more than 2 keepers it will knock the value price down considerably.
Worth your time or time to move on?
Don’t waste hours deliberating about a car that’s had more owners or registered keepers than hot dinners. Find out in seconds what its car owner status is and then drive away from the deal or move forwards with confidence and peace of mind.
How our vehicle checks work?
Enter registration number
Simply type the car’s number plate into the input field above and click 'Check Now'.
Your registration number or number plate is also referred to as your VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark). It includes numbers and letters and is found on the front and rear of the vehicle.
Choose a report type
A free DVLA vehicle check report will be displayed. To source more information, choose from our standard vehicle check, full check or multi-check options.
Want to add more to your standard vehicle check, but don’t want the full check? No problem. Customise your report by selecting individual add-ons.
View your car report
After entering the required payment information into our secure checkout, you’ll be automatically redirected to your report.
We’ll also send you an order confirmation email with a link to your car check report, so you can access it anytime, anywhere.
In the car trade?
Get more checks and savings using our 'trade only' platform!
Exclusively for dealers, Car Reg Checks provides vehicle validation and history data, giving you and your customers peace of mind.
- Make informed decisions, fast!
- Everything you need to know!
- Your Brand - Our Report.
Car Owners Check FAQ's
Our previous owner check includes important information that will help you make the right decision when buying a second-hand car. It includes verified data you can’t find on the V5C log book (that’s to say you have access to view the document - many buyers don’t) such as the number of previous keepers and sold dates.
It’s against UK law to publish the personal details of a car’s registered keeper without their permission. The same applies to the owner’s details (if the owner is different from the registered keeper). The only way to access this information is to formally submit a request to the DVLA using a V888 form. The DVLA are, however, unlikely to agree to the request unless there is a compelling reason for it, such as an unpaid parking charge or criminal offence.
There’s no limit to the number of previous owners a vehicle can have. And the figure our car owner check report produces, is guaranteed to be an accurate tally of the total number of keepers to date. But remember, while there’s no limit to the number of keepers, too many keepers could be signal problems with the car or an inconsistent approach to vehicle maintenance. So make sure you do the maths. If a car’s got 2 previous keepers and 1 current keeper, buying the car will make you the 4th keeper or owner. This is the number prospective buyers will be looking at if you decide to sell the car on.
A previous owner check is the only way to confirm how many previous owners or registered keepers a car has had. The V5C log book will only tell you the name of the current registered keepers and the previous registered keeper.
Our car owner check extracts data directly from the DVLA’s comprehensive and definitive database. Using data directly from this we can tell you with 100% accuracy the total number of previous keepers, registration dates, and previous keeper sold date. You’ll also get a range of other details, including the car’s MOT history and whether it’s ever been imported, scrapped, written-off or had its plate changed.
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As a community we bring you a vehicle history check you can trust and it's provided by Car Reg Checks!
This means that you can buy your next used car with confidence and reassurance, check out what our customers are saying about our service...
Excellent website and service
Excellent website and service! I needed peace of mind before buying a used car for my fiancé. Thank you!
Brilliant company and service
Brilliant company and service! I wanted to get a full check on a car I was buying, simple easy and quick 🚙
Informative and accurate reports
Car Reg Checks is informative and accurate. A good and reliable service that helped buy the car I wanted.
Fantastic service, a must use!
When you are about to spend your hard earned money on a second hand car, this service is a 'must have'.
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