Free tool · no signup
Free Car Tax Check
Enter a registration to see whether a car is taxed or SORN and when the tax is due — straight from the official DVLA record. Free, instant, and handy before you buy or before your renewal slips.
Free · no signup · official DVLA data
Example result
VAUXHALL ADAM
Vehicle tax status
Taxed
Taxed and valid until 1 November 2027 — about 379 days away.
VAUXHALL ADAM
Make
VAUXHALL
Model
ADAM
Colour
WHITE
Year
2016
Fuel
PETROL
Registered
October 2016
MOT
Valid · 5 November 2026
How the car tax check works
Enter the reg
We look the car up instantly against the DVLA vehicle register — the same official source DVLA uses.
See the tax status
You get the current status — taxed or SORN — and the date the current Vehicle Excise Duty runs out.
Check MOT too
We also surface the MOT status and due date in the same lookup, so you get both in one go.
Why the tax status is worth a quick look
Vehicle tax doesn't transfer with the car when it changes hands — the moment you buy, the previous keeper's tax is cancelled and you must tax it in your own name before you drive away. Checking the status first tells you whether a car you're viewing is road-legal right now, and a car left SORN for a long time is worth asking about: why has it been off the road?
Tax status is one of the fastest free checks, but it's only a snapshot. Pair it with a free MOT history check and a mileage & clocking check before you commit. And to know whether the car was actually looked after, the manufacturer service history is what really counts.
Supported Brands
Manufacturer Records
We access service history data directly from manufacturer dealership systems — covering most European vehicles from 2012 model year onwards.
Full Service History
(17)Itemised dealer records: the date of each franchised visit, the odometer reading, what was done and which dealer did it.
Workshop Remarks
(14)Entries come from recall and warranty work rather than routine servicing, so they rarely list what was serviced. Visits that fall about a service interval apart still suggest the car was being looked after at the dealer.
Limited Coverage
(14)The dealer system answers for only a minority of these cars, and often briefly. Whether anything comes back depends on the individual car.
Car tax check — FAQs
Is this car tax check free?▾
Yes. It reads the official DVLA vehicle record, which is free — no signup, no payment. You get the current tax status (taxed or SORN) and the date the tax is due. We never take payment for this check.
How do I know when my car tax is due?▾
Enter your registration above. We show the tax due date held on the DVLA record — that's when your current Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) runs out and needs renewing. Tax doesn't transfer when a car is sold, so if you've just bought it, you must tax it before driving.
What does SORN mean?▾
SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It means the registered keeper has declared the car off the road, so it doesn't need to be taxed or MOT'd — but it also can't legally be driven or parked on a public road. If a car you're viewing is SORN, ask why, and remember you'll need to tax it before driving it away.
Can I drive a car that isn't taxed?▾
No. Driving an untaxed car on a public road is an offence and DVLA runs automated number-plate cameras to catch it — penalties start at a fixed fine and can escalate to a court fine and clamping. The one exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT. Always tax a car in your name before driving it.
How much is the car tax?▾
This tool shows the tax status and due date, not the exact amount. The amount of Vehicle Excise Duty depends on the car's CO₂ emissions, fuel type and registration date — you can see the precise figure and pay on the GOV.UK vehicle tax service. Our check tells you whether it's currently taxed and when it needs renewing.
What else should I check before buying a used car?▾
Tax status is a quick first look, but it doesn't tell you about the car's condition or history. Combine it with a free MOT history check and a mileage check, and — for the fuller picture — the manufacturer's service records. It's the servicing record that most affects a used car's value and reliability.
MOT History & Due Date
See when the MOT is due plus the full pass/fail history
Mileage & Clocking Check
Flag odometer discrepancies from the MOT mileage trail
Service Schedule Checker
What the maker says this car is due, and when — free by reg
Car Symptom Checker
Won't start, warning light, noise? Likely causes, ranked
Car Spec & Build Sheet Check
Registered spec free by reg, plus the factory options it was built with
Full Service History Check
Manufacturer dealer records — £9.99, no charge if nothing found