Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply staying compliant, checking a car’s tax status is a legal must. At The Auto Experts, our Free Car Tax Check helps you instantly verify the road tax status and MOT details of any UK-registered vehicle—securely, reliably, and at no cost.

No sign-up. No guesswork. Just fast, DVLA-sourced information that puts you in control.

Why you should check car tax with The Auto Experts?

Avoid fines of up to £1,000 Driving a car without valid tax is a serious offence. Our tool helps you stay informed and avoid penalties before they happen.

Instant data you can trust We pull information straight from the DVLA and DVSA databases, so you're getting real-time, verified data—every time.

Peace of mind for buyers and sellers Ensure the vehicle is legally roadworthy and taxed before you buy or sell.

Stay ahead with reminders Check your tax expiry and set a renewal reminder. Avoid the last-minute rush or accidental gaps in coverage.

What our free car tax check covers?

With just a number plate, you’ll get:

✅ Current tax status

✅ Tax expiry date

✅ MOT due date and history

✅ SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) status

✅ Vehicle specifications (make, model, fuel type, emissions, colour, etc.)

✅ CO₂ emissions and tax band information

This isn’t a partial lookup. It’s a full, easy-to-read breakdown to help you understand the vehicle’s road legality, ongoing running costs, and compliance status.

Why use The Auto Experts vs. Others?

We built The Auto Experts to give UK drivers all essential vehicle insights in one place—without paying a premium or going through multiple government pages.

✅ Faster results than GOV.uk portals ✅ No V5C or paperwork needed ✅ Clear interface and mobile-friendly layout ✅ Built for buyers, sellers, and everyday motorists ✅ Upgrade for just £4.99 to access a Full Vehicle Check including outstanding finance, stolen status, write-off records and tax band costs

Everything is done through our secure system with no hidden charges or third-party distractions.

How to tax your vehicle online

Taxing your vehicle online is quick, easy, and can be done in just a few minutes. You’ll need your vehicle logbook (V5C) or a recent V11 reminder letter, along with a valid MOT if it’s required for your vehicle.

The DVLA’s online service guides you through each step, allowing you to pay by card or set up a Direct Debit for future renewals. This way, you avoid penalties and keep your vehicle road-legal without the hassle of paperwork.

For a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough, check our full guide on how to tax your vehicle online.

Upgrade to full check – Just £4.99

Need deeper insights before making a purchase? Our Full Check includes everything in the free tax check—plus:

Car’s full ownership and financial status

Insurance write-off records

Mileage discrepancies

Outstanding finance alerts

6 & 12-month tax cost estimates

That means no surprises, better negotiation, and peace of mind before you commit to buying or selling a car.

Real Example: Why This Matters

Sarah was about to buy a second-hand Ford Focus listed for £5,400. She ran the plate through The Auto Experts’ free car tax checker and found the tax had already expired two weeks earlier—and the car was declared SORN. The seller hadn’t disclosed this. Thanks to the instant check, she avoided an illegal drive home—and had negotiating power to request a re-tax before agreeing to a deal.

How to check car tax with The Auto Experts?

It takes less than 30 seconds.

Enter the reg number Use our form to input any UK-registered plate.

Instant DVLA lookup We fetch real-time tax & MOT data securely from official sources.

Review the report See all the important details at a glance—and choose to upgrade if you want a complete history.

Why car tax matters in 2025?

From April 2025, the rules are changing—even electric vehicles must now pay tax, starting at £180/year. High-emission and luxury cars face higher rates due to new CO₂-based banding updates.

Having up-to-date road tax (vehicle tax, car tax or Vehicle Excise Duty) is an essential legal obligation for drivers in the UK, much like having Home Insurance is a requirement for most mortgages. A few different factors are taken into account when determining the amount of car tax for a vehicle, such as the age of the vehicle, the carbon dioxide emissions, and the cost of the car.

Modern car tax rates are designed to encourage drivers to purchase lower emissions and electric vehicles, as this helps to meet the government's carbon emission reduction targets. When selecting a car for tax, it is beneficial to look for a vehicle with a lower insurance group and low emissions, as these may be eligible for a lower car tax rate.

When’s the road tax due?

Depending on when your car was registered, the timing of when road tax is due will vary. If your car was registered since 2017, a “showroom tax” is due at the point of registration, covering the first year of road tax. This is calculated based on the carbon dioxide emissions of the car. Subsequently, road tax is then due at your chosen instalment period (12, 6 or 1 month) after the first year. If the car's list price is over £40,000, there may be an additional fee.

If your car was registered between 2001 and 2017, road tax is due at your chosen instalment period (12, 6 or 1 month), based on its fuel type and CO2 emissions. If your car was registered before 1 March 2001, road tax is due at your chosen instalment period (12, 6 or 1 month), based on engine size.

You can find out when your car was registered and its relevant road tax rate by searching online. There are also tables on the government website that provide details of the car tax rates. It is important to ensure you pay your road tax at the required time. Otherwise, you may be subject to fines.

How do I find out how much my car tax is?

You can quickly and easily get your free tax check by entering the vehicle's registration number, and you will then get all the necessary information about the car, including the date it was registered, the type of fuel it uses, its CO2 emissions, and applicable road tax rates. It is important to pay your road tax on time, as you can face fines if it is not paid in full and on time.

When can you drive without road tax?

Driving without road tax, also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or car tax, is generally not permitted unless you have registered your car with the DVLA as a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

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The only people who approach such a data are the police and the DVLA and neither of them will disclose it as it is secured by the Data Protection Act.Read More