VIN Check.
Verify a car's identity against the registration, spot cloning and confirm the key details in one £15 report.
Included in your report:
- Last 5 VIN digits
- Identity confirmation
- Cloning red flags
- Outstanding finance
- Stolen status
- Write-off records
Example VIN section
See the vehicle identity before you buy.
This is how the identity check appears in your report: whether the VIN matches the DVLA record, any plate transfers, and whether any identity flags are recorded.
Vehicle identity (VIN)
VIN, plate and identity records
Example data shown. Your report will show the recorded vehicle identity for the reg you check.
What a VIN check helps you spot.
The VIN is the hardest part of a car to fake, which makes it the most reliable way to confirm a vehicle is what the seller says it is.
VIN vs registration mismatch
Check the VIN on record against the registration to confirm they belong together.
Plate changes and cloning
See recorded plate transfers that can be a sign of a cloned identity.
Imported identity or re-VIN
Flag identity changes such as imports or a re-issued VIN before you commit.
Verify the identity
Why checking the VIN matters.
Vehicle cloning is one of the most common car frauds in the UK: a stolen car is given the plates and identity of a legitimate vehicle, and everything looks normal on the surface. The VIN is the one thing that is difficult to fake, so checking it against the registration as part of a full car history check is your best defence.
Last 5 VIN digits
Shown instantly so you can compare against the car's windscreen and V5C when you view it.
Identity confirmation
Confirms the registration matches the vehicle on record before you hand over any money.
Cloning red flags
If the VIN on the car does not match the VIN on file, the car may be cloned. Walk away.
VIN check vs full car history check.
A VIN check on its own confirms identity, reveals the last 5 VIN digits and helps you detect cloning. It does not include finance, theft, write-off, mileage or MOT data. For those you need a full car history check, which includes VIN verification as standard.
VIN check vs VIN decoder.
A VIN decoder breaks the VIN down into details like the manufacturer, model and engine. A VIN check is about identity and history: confirming the VIN matches the registration and looking for signs of cloning. To decode the make, model and engine from a plate, use our car spec check. To confirm the car has not been written off, stolen or left with finance owing, run a write-off check, a stolen check and a finance check.
Run a VIN check
Verify the identity in seconds.
Enter the registration to see the last 5 VIN digits and the full vehicle history before you pay a deposit.
- Instant results
- All checks included
- £30,000 data guarantee
What a full Carpeep report reveals.
A full report goes far beyond VIN verification. The identity check sits next to the other risks that matter when money is about to change hands.
VIN verification
Confirms the registration matches the vehicle on record and reveals the last 5 VIN digits to compare.
Outstanding finance
Flags any active finance against the reg, so you know whether the car is the seller's to sell outright.
Stolen and write-off records
Police theft markers and insurance write-off history including Cat S, Cat N and earlier categories.
MOT and mileage history
Full MOT pass and fail history, advisories and mileage at each test, plus keeper history and specs.
Where to find the VIN on a car.
When you go to view the car, check the VIN in these locations and compare it against the last 5 digits from your report. If any do not match each other, or the VIN on your report, it is a strong sign the car has been tampered with.
Windscreen
Bottom corner on the passenger side, visible from outside the car.
V5C logbook
The full 17-character VIN is printed on the registration document.
Door frame
A sticker or plate inside the driver's door jamb shows the VIN.
Engine bay
Stamped on the chassis or body panel near the engine.
What actually matters
A VIN check is only part of the picture.
A VIN check might be enough if you already know the car well, are buying from a trusted dealer with full records, or just want to verify identity quickly. But if the price seems too good to be true, you are buying from a private seller, or you are about to transfer serious money, run a full check.
If you buy a cloned car, the police can seize it and you lose both the car and the money. For finance, theft and mileage data alongside the identity check, run a stolen car check as part of the full report.
Where our data comes from.
Always from official records. We do not create, edit or estimate any data.
DVLA
Registration, keeper history, import/export status and vehicle specifications.
DVSA
Full MOT test history including results, advisories and mileage at each test.
Insurance industry records
Recorded write-off markers such as Cat A, B, S and N from insurance industry records.
UK finance lenders
Outstanding finance agreements including HP, PCP and conditional sale records.
Police stolen vehicle records
Stolen vehicle markers from UK police databases, checked against the registration and VIN.
Vehicle identity checks
VIN and registration cross-referenced to flag plate changes, cloning or identity mismatches.
VIN Check FAQs
What is a VIN check?
A VIN check uses the Vehicle Identification Number to verify a car's identity. It confirms the VIN matches the registration on record, helping you spot cloned or misrepresented vehicles before you hand over money.
Do I need the VIN to run a check?
No. Enter the registration number and Carpeep will show you the last 5 digits of the VIN on file. You can then compare this against the VIN on the car's windscreen and V5C when you view it.
Where do I find the VIN on a car?
The VIN is usually visible through the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side. It's also printed on the V5C logbook and on a plate or sticker inside the driver's door frame.
What is a cloned car?
A cloned car is a stolen vehicle given the identity of a legitimate car, using matching plates and sometimes forged documents. Checking the VIN against the registration is one of the most reliable ways to detect this type of fraud.
Does a VIN check show finance or write-off history?
A VIN check on its own only confirms vehicle identity. For finance, write-off, theft and mileage history you need a full car history check, which includes VIN verification as standard.
Check a car before you buy
Don't buy a car you haven't checked.
Enter the reg to verify the identity and check the key risk markers before you commit.
- Full vehicle history
- No account required
- £30,000 data guarantee