Car spec check

A car spec check tells you what a car actually is, not what the advert says it is. Enter the registration and you'll see the specification the DVLA holds for it: engine size, fuel type, emissions, weight and more. It's free, it takes seconds, and it's the quickest way to spot a car that's been described wrongly, or one that isn't what it claims to be.

What the free car spec check shows

These details come straight from the DVLA vehicle record, so they're the same figures the government uses for tax and clean air zones:

• Make, model and colour as registered.
• Engine size in cc and fuel type.
• CO2 emissions, which set the car tax on most cars registered since 2001.
• Euro status, which decides whether the car meets ULEZ and other clean air zone standards.
• Revenue weight, wheelplan and type approval category.
• Year of manufacture, date of first registration and when the last V5C logbook was issued.

You'll also get the full MOT history, tax status and every recorded mileage reading, all on the same page.

The factory spec sheet: how the car left the factory

The DVLA record doesn't cover trim level, power output or options. For that you need the factory specification, decoded from the car's VIN. It's included in the Service history check (£8.99) and the Ultimate report (£10.49), and it shows:

• The exact engine and its power output (see our BHP check).
• Gearbox, body style and number of seats.
• The original colour, in the manufacturer's own paint name.
• The factory-fitted options, such as a panoramic roof, heated seats, upgraded audio, driver assistance packs or bigger alloys.

Options can add hundreds or thousands of pounds to a car's value, so it's worth knowing which ones it really has. You can see what the spec sheet looks like in our sample report.

Why check a car's spec before you buy

To make sure the advert is right. Sellers get it wrong more often than you'd think. A "2.0" that's really a 1.6, an "M Sport" that's a lower trim with a body kit, or "full leather" that turns out to be part leather. Mistakes like these change what the car is worth.

To price it properly. Two cars of the same model and year can be worth very different amounts depending on the engine and trim. Once you know the exact spec, compare like with like, or use our car valuation.

To spot a car that isn't what it claims to be. Cloned cars wear the number plates of a genuine, similar car. The details often don't quite match: the engine size is different, the colour is wrong or the fuel type doesn't fit. If the spec check and the car in front of you disagree, stop and find out why. Our guide on how to spot a cloned car explains what to look for.

To know your running costs. CO2 emissions and engine size decide your car tax, and the Euro status tells you whether you'll pay a daily charge in London or other clean air zones. Check them with our car tax check and ULEZ check.

What to do if the spec doesn't match

A different colour usually means a respray or a wrap. A wrap doesn't need reporting, but a permanent colour change should be reported to the DVLA. Ask the seller about it, and make sure the VIN on the car matches the V5C.

A different engine size or fuel type is more serious. It can mean an engine swap that was never declared, which affects tax and insurance, or it can mean the plates belong to a different car. Don't buy until you know which.

A lower trim than advertised isn't a safety problem, but it is a reason to negotiate. Get the factory spec sheet if you're paying extra for a higher trim or particular options.

Checking the spec yourself on the V5C

The V5C logbook has most of the basic spec, if you know where to look:

• D.1 and D.3: make and model.
• D.5: body type.
• P.1: engine size in cc.
• P.2: maximum power in kW.
• P.3: fuel type.
• R: colour.
• S.1: number of seats, including the driver.
• V.7: CO2 emissions.

Compare these with the free check and with the car itself. The VIN (section E on the V5C) should match the one at the base of the windscreen and on the plate inside the door frame or under the bonnet. Our guide what is a VIN number shows where to find it.

A spec check is one part of the picture

The spec tells you what the car is. It doesn't tell you whether it has outstanding finance, has been written off or has been reported stolen. For that, run a vehicle history check before you pay. Our Full check is £8.99, and the Ultimate report (£10.49) combines it with service history and the factory spec sheet.