No public website can tell you who owns a car from its registration: the DVLA keeps the registered keeper's name and address private and gives them only to people with a reasonable cause, such as after a road accident. What a car reg owner check can show is the keeper history: how many previous keepers the car has had and the date of the last change. It is in both our reports; the Premium report (£7.99) adds the finance, write-off and stolen checks.
Can you find out who a car is registered to from its reg?
Not online, and not from us. Names and addresses of keepers are personal data, held by the DVLA. Anyone can see a car's make, model, MOT history and tax status, but the person behind the plate stays private.
The DVLA does release keeper details when there is a reasonable cause, for example to someone involved in a road accident with the car, or to a car park operator chasing an unpaid charge. The request is made to the DVLA on form V888, with the reason, and the DVLA decides whether to answer.
What does a keeper history show?
- The number of previous keepers recorded for the car.
- The date the keeper last changed.
- The car's past number plates and when they changed (plate changes).
It does not show names, addresses or how much anyone paid. Both the Basic report (£3.99) and the Premium report (£7.99) include it.
Why does the number of keepers matter to a buyer?
A car with many keepers in a few years can be perfectly sound, but it is worth asking why it kept moving on. A keeper change only weeks before the sale is another reason to ask questions: some cars are bought and sold quickly to put distance between a problem and the next buyer.
Compare the report with the V5C logbook the seller shows you. The logbook names the current keeper; the person selling the car should be that keeper, at the address printed on it.
Is the registered keeper the legal owner of the car?
Not always. The V5C logbook itself says it is not proof of ownership. A car bought on hire purchase or PCP belongs to the finance company until the last payment, even though the driver is the registered keeper.
That is why the Premium report checks for outstanding finance as well. A car lookup by registration explains everything the report brings together.
How do you check a car's keeper history by reg?
- Enter the registration and your email address in the form above.
- Check that the make, model and colour shown are those of the car you are looking at.
- Pay by card or PayPal. The report, with the keeper history, opens on screen and is emailed to you.
What else do people ask?
Can I find a car owner by registration number online?
No. The keeper's name and address are personal data that only the DVLA holds, and it releases them only to people with a reasonable cause. A reg check shows the number of keepers and the date of the last change, not who they are.
How do I find out who a car is registered to after an accident?
Ask the other driver for their details at the scene: they must give them. If they will not, report it to the police. You can also apply to the DVLA on form V888, giving your reason.
Does the report show the names of previous owners?
No. It shows how many previous keepers the car has had and when the keeper last changed, never names or addresses.
Is the registered keeper the same as the owner?
Not necessarily. The keeper is the person who uses and looks after the car; the owner can be someone else, such as a finance company. The Premium report checks for outstanding finance.
Which report includes the keeper history?
Both. The Basic report (£3.99) has the keeper history, plate changes, mileage verdict and valuation; the Premium report (£7.99) adds the finance, write-off and stolen checks.
