Stolen Car Check
Buying a stolen car is the worst-case scenario for a private buyer. The vehicle is returned to the rightful owner or the insurer who paid out, and you are left chasing the seller for a refund — usually unsuccessfully. The RegRadar premium report cross-checks every plate against the Police National Computer's stolen markers.
How vehicle theft markers work
When a car is reported stolen in the UK, the police record the registration, VIN and chassis number on the Police National Computer (PNC). That marker stays on the vehicle until either the car is recovered and the marker cleared, or the insurer settles and updates the record. The RegRadar report queries this data live.
What a 'stolen' result means
A stolen marker on a car you're about to buy is a hard stop — never proceed. Report the listing to Action Fraud, the local police, and the platform you found the seller on. Keep a copy of your report and the listing as evidence.
Cloned plates and ringer cars
Sophisticated thieves don't always sell stolen cars under their stolen identity. They may transfer the plate from a similar legitimate vehicle (cloning), or weld a stolen body onto a written-off shell (ringing). For both, the basic stolen check may come back clear — which is why you should also verify the VIN on the engine bay against the V5C in person, and run a write-off check at the same time.
What to verify in person
Always inspect the V5C, check the VIN stamped under the bonnet against the V5C, and confirm the seller's identity matches the registered keeper. If the seller refuses to show ID or insists on meeting in a car park rather than at their home address, walk away regardless of what the report says.
Frequently asked questions
Does the police database update in real time?
Stolen markers are added to the PNC quickly after a theft is reported. There can be a short delay, so a fresh report on the day of purchase is best.
What if the car is later reported stolen?
If you bought the car in good faith and have a vehicle history report dated to the day of purchase, you have evidence of due diligence — but the legal position depends on the circumstances.
Is the stolen check free?
No. Stolen markers are commercial data and only appear in the £9.99 premium report. Anyone offering them for free is misrepresenting their data sources.