Buyers
Rule out cars with tax, MOT or mileage problems before a viewing, and check for finance or theft before you pay.
About us
We make a car's history easy to read.
Car Checkout turns official DVLA and DVSA records, and licensed data from providers like Experian, into reports anyone can understand before they buy or sell a used car.
- Based in Slough, UK
- Registered in England & Wales
- ICO registered
EPOCHS IT LIMITEDTrading as Car Checkout
Why we started
The facts that matter most are the hardest to see
Buying a used car still means trusting an advert, a few photos and a short test drive. But the facts that matter most, like recorded mileages, MOT history and money still owed on the car, sit in databases most buyers never see.
We built Car Checkout to put those records in one place, explain them in plain English and flag anything that needs a closer look, at a price that makes checking every car worthwhile.
Our aimNobody should buy a used car without knowing its history.
How we work
Four principles behind every report
- 01
Records, not guesses
We start with official DVLA and DVSA records and licensed data providers. If a fact isn't on record, we don't invent it.
- 02
Plain English
A report should make sense on a driveway. We put warnings first and explain what each result means.
- 03
Honest about limits
Every report is a dated snapshot. We say where data came from, and when a clear result only means nothing was found.
- 04
Fair, simple pricing
The first look is free. Full reports are one-off payments, with no subscription and no surprises at checkout.
Behind the report
How a check comes together
It takes seconds, but every report goes through the same four steps.
- Step 1
You enter a plate or VIN
Any UK registration, or the 17-character VIN stamped on the car.
- Step 2
We ask the sources
DVLA and DVSA for every check. Experian and other licensed providers for full reports.
- Step 3
We cross-check
If the plate or make doesn't match between sources, we warn you and leave the doubtful data out.
- Step 4
You get a dated report
Warnings first, each section labelled with its source, and the time it was generated.
Our data
Where the information comes from
We only use official records and licensed providers. Every section of a report is labelled with its source, and sections with Experian data say so.
Read about data limitations- DVLAMake, colour, engine, fuel, tax status and first registrationFree check
- DVSAMOT results, advisories, failures and recorded mileagesFree check
- ExperianOutstanding finance, stolen, write-off and plate-change recordsFull reports
- Vehicle Data GlobalSpecification and technical detailsFull reports
Who it's for
Built for everyday drivers
Sellers
See what your car's records say before you list it, so a buyer's check holds no surprises.
Owners
Confirm your tax and MOT dates and look back over your car's MOT history whenever you need to.
Company details
The people behind Car Checkout
- Company
- EPOCHS IT LIMITED, trading as Car Checkout
- Company number
- 15148783
- ICO registration
- 00016081831
- Registered office
- 2 Fleetwood Road, Slough, England, SL2 5ET
Get in touch
Questions about a check, a report or your data? We read every message.
info@carcheckout.co.ukContact usA vehicle report that gathers official and licensed records against a registration — from MOT and tax through to hidden history that can affect value or safety.
A viewing will not show outstanding finance, theft markers, mileage discrepancies or previous write-offs. A check surfaces those risks before you pay a deposit.
DVLA vehicle details, MOT history, road tax status, mileage records and core specification. The full report adds finance, theft, damage and keeper history.
It is a strong first filter. If you intend to buy, a full report is the safer step because it covers money owed, damage and theft records.
Yes — on the full report. That helps you avoid buying a car that still legally belongs to a lender.
The full report can include write-off categories, salvage records and auction photographs where those records exist.
Licensed government and industry sources including DVLA, DVSA/MOT, insurance and finance databases, auction networks and valuation providers.
The free snapshot is typically ready in seconds after you submit a valid UK registration.
No. Every report is a one-off payment for one vehicle. There is nothing to cancel and no recurring charge.
Basic is a good first filter before a viewing. Gold adds finance and write-off checks, which matter most when you are close to buying. Full adds salvage photos, valuation and full keeper history, which is the safest choice before you pay a deposit.
Yes. The free snapshot with tax, MOT history, mileage readings and core spec is always free. Paid packages add the hidden history on top.
Yes. Open the sample report to see how every section is laid out before you pay.
Buy five Full Checks at once and use them on any vehicles you like. They are a good fit for traders or anyone viewing several cars.
It decodes the VIN to show the vehicle's make, model, year, engine, fuel type and body style, so you can confirm the car matches its paperwork. Full reports add finance, stolen, write-off and mileage checks.
On the V5C logbook, the bottom corner of the windscreen, the driver's door frame and stamped in the engine bay. Insurance and service paperwork often show it too. Every copy should match.
A registration can be moved to another car, but the VIN stays with the vehicle for life. Checking both, and making sure they belong to the same car, is one of the best ways to spot a cloned vehicle.
The VIN is the full 17-character identity used on cars built since 1981. A chassis number is often only part of it. Always enter the complete VIN.
It helps. If the VIN on the car doesn't match the V5C, or the decoded make and model don't match the car, walk away and report it to the police on 101.
VINs are exactly 17 characters and never use the letters I, O or Q, which are easily confused with 1, 0 and 9. Check each character again, or try a registration check instead.
Every check in a pack is a complete Full Check report: stolen, outstanding finance, write-off, salvage, mileage, MOT history, valuation and full specification.
Sign in, look up any registration and press “Use 1 check” on the vehicle page, or enter a plate on your My reports page.
You'll see that you have no checks left, and you can buy another pack or pay for single reports as normal.
Yes. Your remaining checks stay in your account and are shown on your My reports page.
Government services are great for a single fact. We bring tax, MOT history, recorded mileages and vehicle details together in one report, flag anything that needs attention, and offer full reports with finance, stolen and write-off checks when you need them.
No. The free check runs without signing in. Create an account if you want to keep your checks and come back to them later.
No. A report shows what's on record. It can't tell you the car's mechanical condition, so we always recommend a viewing and an independent inspection before you buy.
Anyone aged 18 or over checking a vehicle for their own use, whether buying, selling or owning a car. See our Terms and Conditions for details.
Car Checkout is a trading name of EPOCHS IT LIMITED, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 15148783), based in Slough.
Email info@carcheckout.co.uk or use the Contact us page. You don't need an account to send a message.