A car's tax history can reveal valuable information about its past and current compliance with road tax regulations. More importantly, an untaxed vehicle cannot legally be driven on British roads, and the responsibility for ensuring a vehicle is properly taxed falls on the owner—not the driver.
Beyond simply confirming whether a vehicle is currently taxed, a comprehensive car tax check can provide insights into a vehicle's MOT history, previous taxed periods, and when the next tax payment is due. This information can help you avoid unexpected costs and ensure the vehicle you're considering is fully compliant with UK regulations.
In this article, we'll explore the seven best websites for running complete car tax checks in the UK, examining their features, reliability, and additional benefits that can help you make an informed decision before your next vehicle purchase.
Motorscan
Key Features:
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Complete tax and MOT history verification
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Outstanding finance check
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Write-off status verification
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Stolen vehicle check
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Plate & colour change history
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Previous keeper information
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Comprehensive mileage investigation
Motorscan stands at the forefront of vehicle history check providers with their meticulous approach to data verification, including detailed tax history checks. Their comprehensive reports provide a complete picture of a vehicle's tax status, including historical tax records that can reveal periods when the vehicle may have been declared off-road or left untaxed.
What sets Motorscan apart in the tax check arena is their holistic approach to vehicle verification. While confirming tax status, their system simultaneously cross-references multiple databases to identify any other potential issues that might affect your decision to purchase or the vehicle's legal status.
The tax check includes verification of both current tax status and historical records, which can be particularly valuable when assessing whether a vehicle has been consistently used and maintained. Long periods of being untaxed might indicate the vehicle was in storage, potentially leading to issues associated with vehicles left standing for extended periods.
Motorscan's comprehensive approach makes them particularly valuable for cautious buyers who want thorough verification of tax status alongside other critical checks before committing to a purchase. Their detailed reports can provide peace of mind that you're not inheriting someone else's tax problems or purchasing a vehicle with compliance issues.
HPI Check
Key Features:
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Tax status and history verification
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£30,000 data guarantee
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Outstanding finance check
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Insurance write-off status
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Stolen vehicle check
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Mileage verification
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Previous owner history
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VIN/chassis number verification
With over 80 years of experience in the industry, HPI has established itself as one of the most recognised names in vehicle history checking. Their tax check service benefits from their extensive databases and industry connections, providing reliable information about a vehicle's tax status.
HPI's standout feature is their £30,000 data guarantee—if you incur a financial loss due to incorrect information in their report, you're covered up to this substantial amount. This level of financial protection provides significant peace of mind when checking crucial information like tax status.
Their tax checks are thorough, verifying not just the current status but also historical information that might reveal patterns in the vehicle's usage and compliance history. This historical view can be particularly valuable when assessing whether the vehicle has been consistently maintained and used.
HPI's reputation for reliability makes them a trusted choice for tax checks, particularly for buyers who value the reassurance of using a long-established brand with extensive industry connections.
RAC Vehicle Check
Key Features:
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Comprehensive tax status verification
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£30,000 data guarantee
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Outstanding finance check
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Write-off category verification
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Stolen status check
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Mileage validation
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Plate change history
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Imported/exported status
The RAC brings over a century of motoring heritage to its vehicle check service, including detailed tax status verification. Their reports provide clear information about a vehicle's current tax status and history, helping you avoid potential compliance issues.
Like HPI, the RAC offers a substantial £30,000 data guarantee, providing financial reassurance if their information proves incorrect. Their tax checks include verification against official DVLA records, ensuring the information you receive is accurate and up-to-date.
The RAC's tax check service excels in user-friendliness, with clear explanations of the vehicle's tax status and any potential issues highlighted in their reports. This clarity makes their service particularly valuable for those who may not be automotive experts but want to ensure they're purchasing a fully compliant vehicle.
Their comprehensive approach extends beyond tax checks to include all essential vehicle history information, making them a good all-round choice for cautious buyers.
Total Car Check
Key Features:
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Tax and MOT history verification
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Multi-check discounts
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Finance check
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Insurance write-off status
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Stolen vehicle check
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Mileage investigation
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Previous keeper information
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Plate change history
Total Car Check has built a strong reputation for offering comprehensive vehicle checks at competitive prices, with particularly good value for those needing to check multiple vehicles. Their tax check service provides clear information about a vehicle's current tax status and compliance history.
What makes Total Car Check particularly useful for tax verification is their efficient approach, which allows you to quickly check the tax status of multiple vehicles when comparing potential purchases. Their multi-check options make them ideal for dealers, collectors, or anyone comparing several vehicles before making a final decision.
Their tax check includes verification against official DVLA records, providing accurate information about whether a vehicle is currently taxed, when the tax expires, and any historical periods when the vehicle was declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) or left untaxed.
Total Car Check's straightforward approach and comprehensive coverage make them a solid choice for buyers who want reliable tax information alongside other essential vehicle history checks.
AA Car Check
Key Features:
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Tax status verification
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Outstanding finance check
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Insurance write-off status
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Stolen vehicle verification
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Mileage validation
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Previous owner history
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Plate change alerts
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Technical specifications
The AA brings its trusted motoring brand to the vehicle check market, with tax status verification as an integral part of their comprehensive reports. Their service draws on extensive databases to provide reliable information about a vehicle's tax compliance.
The AA offers tiered options to suit different needs, allowing you to choose the level of detail you require. Their tax check service verifies the current status against DVLA records, helping you ensure the vehicle you're considering is fully compliant with UK regulations.
What makes the AA's tax check particularly valuable is their clear reporting format, which highlights any issues that require attention before purchase. If a vehicle is currently untaxed or has significant gaps in its tax history, these will be clearly flagged in the report.
The AA's reputation for consumer protection and reliability makes them a trusted choice for vehicle tax checks, particularly for those who value the backing of a major motoring organisation.
CarAnalytics
Key Features:
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Detailed tax and MOT history
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80+ data points checked
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Outstanding finance verification
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Insurance write-off status
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Stolen vehicle check
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5-band valuation system
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Mileage anomaly check
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Performance and running cost data
For the truly data-hungry buyer, CarAnalytics offers one of the most information-rich vehicle check services available, with over 80 data points checked for each vehicle—including comprehensive tax status verification. Their reports provide detailed information about a vehicle's current tax status and historical compliance.
