How to check if a car is stolen

How to check a used car isn't stolen before you buy it, and what to do if you've already bought one that is.

The records

What a free check can't show

Free government checks show a car's tax and MOT. They don't show whether it's recorded as stolen.

Roadworthy checks tax, MOT and MOT history from scanning or entering a number plate. Its full history check, £6.99, also shows whether a car is recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer.

Check a car with Roadworthy

Free, for Android. The full history check is £6.99: what it checks.

Whether the police will tell you if a car is stolen varies from force to force.1

Can a paid check show it?

A vehicle history check, which you pay for, can show whether a car is recorded as stolen: police advice names one that does.2 Make sure the one you choose includes stolen records.

Police advice also warns that stolen cars are often given another car's identity ("cloned"), and that a history check may not reveal it. So check the car itself as well.3

The car

Check the car matches its log book

GOV.UK's steps to check you're not buying a stolen car include these:4

  • Ask to see the log book (V5C). It should have a "DVL" watermark.4
  • Check its serial number is not between BG8229501 and BG9999030, or BI2305501 and BI2800000. If it is, the log book might be stolen: call the police as soon as it's safe to.4
  • Check the VIN and engine number on the car match the log book.4

For what to look for, and where on the car to find the VIN, see How to check a log book (V5C) before you buy a car.

Warning signs

Signs to watch for

Police advice for used-car buyers includes these warnings:

  • Only one key. Most stolen cars are only ever taken with one key, so be cautious if a car comes with only one.5
  • A street or car park. Don't buy a car from a car park or street: go to the seller's home or business address.5
  • A name that doesn't match. Ask the seller for photo ID, and check the name matches the name in the log book.5
  • Selling for someone else. Beware of sellers selling on behalf of "friends" or "relations".5
  • A price that's too good. Find out what the car is worth, and be extra cautious if it's too good to be true.5
  • Not seeing it first. Be wary if you can't see the car in person before you buy it.2
  • A site that holds your money. Beware of fake websites that say they'll hold your money until the car arrives: the car never does.2

Paying

When you pay

Police advice when you pay:5

  • Avoid paying in cash: a debit or credit card gives you more purchase protection.5
  • Keep a printed copy of the advert with the car's documents: it may help the police trace the seller if things go wrong.5

Checking it isn't stolen is one of several checks. For the others, see Before you buy a used car.

If you think you've bought a stolen car

If a car was stolen, it generally isn't yours, whatever you paid.6

The advice differs across the UK: England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.

England and Wales

Citizens Advice says you shouldn't get into trouble if you didn't know it was stolen when you bought it, and that you have the legal right to a full refund from the seller, even if it's been a while since you bought it and you've only just realised it's stolen. It gives these steps:7

  • As soon as you think it's stolen, call the police on 101 or take it to your local police station. Don't keep it or return it to the seller yourself: that might be considered "handling stolen goods".7
  • Ask the seller for a refund as soon as you can. Show them the crime reference number and property log number the police give you, and your receipt or other proof of purchase, such as a bank statement.7
  • If the seller refuses and you paid by debit or credit card, you may be able to get your money back through your bank.7
  • If you still don't have your money back, you can try alternative dispute resolution. If that's not an option, you might want to make a court claim.7

Scotland

Citizens Advice says that in Scotland you're unlikely to be arrested if you didn't know it was stolen, and that if you bought it on or after 1 October 2015, you have the legal right to a full refund from the seller. If you bought it before then, the seller might agree to give you your money back as a goodwill gesture. It says:8

  • Tell the police as soon as you discover or suspect it's stolen, and stop using it. If you don't report it and you carry on using it, you could be arrested for handling stolen goods, which is called "reset".8
  • If you know who the rightful owner is, tell them you have it and let them take it away. If you don't know, the police are likely to take it away.8
  • If it goes back to its owner, it's possible to take legal action against the seller for compensation. Take independent advice before you start.8

If the car was insured, it would become the insurance company's property once the real owner's claim had been paid.8

Northern Ireland

Police advice in Northern Ireland is that innocent buyers of stolen cars may have the car taken from them, lose the money they paid, and be arrested as part of police enquiries.3

Consumerline is the consumer advice helpline for the Trading Standards Service in Northern Ireland: 0300 123 62 62.9

For a complaint about a car you bought, nidirect's advice is to complain first to the person who sold it to you. If you can't resolve it, you may need to take legal action. If it's not more than £5,000, you can take your case to the Small Claims Court, and Consumerline can advise you how to apply. For more than £5,000, ask a solicitor.10

Sources

  1. Ask the Police, Can the police tell me whether a second hand car is stolen before I buy it?
  2. Ask the Police, How can I tell whether a car advertised on the internet is genuine?
  3. Police Service of Northern Ireland, Vehicle buying and selling advice
  4. GOV.UK, Check a used vehicle you're buying
  5. Essex Police, Tips for buying a used car
  6. Sale of Goods Act 1979, section 21
  7. Citizens Advice, If you think you've bought stolen goods (advice for England, Wales)
  8. Citizens Advice, Stolen goods (advice for Scotland)
  9. nidirect, About Consumerline and how to contact the helpline
  10. nidirect, Buying a new or used car

First published 22 October 2026. Last updated 29 October 2026. General information, not legal advice.