Check this car before you go see it

Enter the number plate and see what stands out, what's missing and what to check before you buy.

Live DVSA MOT link: your report includes the full MOT test history and the mileage recorded at every test.

Enter the number plate

The number plate (VRM) exactly as it appears on the plate.

Official data from DVSA MOT History

Instant resultNo account needed

Example

Volkswagen Golf · 2016

  • Mileage history
    Nothing notable found

    Odometer reading is consistent at every check.

  • Service history
    Extra check recommended

    Service history not available; ask the seller for invoices and the service booklet.

In the full report

4 relevant points found for this model.

Known issues with the DSG transmission (2015 to 2017 model years).

See sample report

How it works

  1. 1

    Enter the car

    The number plate is enough.

  2. 2

    Review the risks

    Known issues for this model and risk signals to watch for.

  3. 3

    Go prepared

    With a test-drive checklist and concrete questions for the seller.

What we can and cannot see in the United Kingdom

We base this on the official data from DVSA MOT History and what you enter from the listing, and we always show where something comes from.

What the report includes

  • Official vehicle data from DVSA MOT History, combined with the listing you enter yourself
  • The official inspection history and what failed at earlier inspections
  • Open recalls for this vehicle
  • Known, model-specific points of attention in plain language
  • Concrete questions for the seller and a test-drive checklist

What it does not include

  • No inspection: we do not see the car and do not assess its technical condition
  • No appraisal: the report does not replace an official valuation

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the number plate?

Yes, for the official data you do: the UK number plate (VRM) is 2 to 7 letters and digits (for example AA19AAA). Without a plate you can enter the car manually, but then there is nothing to check your input against.

What does a report cost?

A full purchase report costs £3.95, a one-time payment. No account and no subscription. You see the preview first and decide after.

What if I'm not happy with the report?

Then you get your money back. Get in touch within 14 days of purchase via the contact page and we'll refund the full amount. You don't need to give a reason.

How fast do I get the report?

Usually one to a few minutes. The report is ready as soon as the analysis finishes.

Why pay when there's a free MOT history check?

A free MOT history check shows separate data: test dates, the mileage recorded at each test, pass or fail results. Plateop pulls similar official data and does what the standalone check does not: weigh everything into a single verdict, look up known problems for this model, judge the asking price, and turn it into concrete seller questions and a test drive checklist. You see the preview first and decide on the full report after.

Do I need an account?

No. Plateop works without registration or login: we ask for no name, email address or password and build no profile. Your report is reachable through its own link.

How reliable is the advice?

The advice from Plateop is a tool, not a mechanic's verdict. The analysis does not invent model-specific problems it has no reliable knowledge about, and we say so when something is unknown.