Car Spec Check: Full Car Specification by Reg

A car spec check tells you exactly what a car is: its trim and model range, the engine it has, its power in bhp and kW, torque, top speed, fuel economy, gearbox, drive, body and dimensions. Enter the registration in the search box above: the free check shows the make, model, colour, engine size and the DVLA record straight away, and the full report shows the car's full specification from the manufacturer's data.

What our car spec check shows

The specification comes from the manufacturer's data held for the car. Not every figure is recorded for every vehicle: in the full reports run on CarCheckUp, power was shown for about 9 in 10 cars, top speed for about 8 in 10 and fuel economy for about 3 in 4. The full report also checks outstanding finance, write-offs, stolen markers, previous keepers and 150+ other data points. See it in the sample full report.

What BHP is my car?

BHP (brake horsepower) is the engine's power output, and kW is the same figure in kilowatts (1 kW is about 1.34 bhp). The V5C log book doesn't show it, and the same model is often sold with several engines of different power, so the badge on the back is not proof. Enter the registration above: the full report shows the car's power in bhp and kW, its torque and, where recorded, its top speed and 0-62 mph time, so you can check the car matches the advert.

What engine is in my car?

The free check shows the engine size in cc and the fuel type the DVLA has recorded. The full report adds the engine description, the number of cylinders and valves, whether it is turbocharged, and the engine number, so you can compare it with the number stamped on the engine. See also our engine number and engine code check.

Why check a car's spec before you buy

• The trim isn't always what the advert says. A lower trim with added badges, or a car listed as the sportier version, can cost you hundreds when you sell it.
• Engines get swapped. An engine that doesn't match the recorded specification or engine number needs explaining, and your insurer needs to know.
• Insurance depends on it. Insurers price on the exact model, engine and power. Getting them wrong can invalidate a claim.
• Running costs follow the spec. Fuel economy, road tax band and CO2 all come from the specification.

Spec check or full car history check?

A spec check tells you what the car is. A full car history check also tells you what has happened to it: whether there is finance still owed, whether it has been written off or stolen, how many previous keepers it has had and whether its mileage is right. Our full report includes both, in one report.

Car spec check FAQs

Can I check a car's spec for free?
The free check shows the make, model, colour, engine size, CO2 and Euro emissions standard from the DVLA record. The full specification, with trim, power, torque, top speed, fuel economy and dimensions, is in the full report.

How do I find out what trim my car is?
The trim level and model range come from the manufacturer's data for the car and are shown in the full report. The V5C only shows the make and a short model name.

Does the V5C show the engine power?
No. The V5C shows the engine size in cc, not its power. The full report shows power in bhp and kW.

Can I check the spec of a van or motorbike?
Yes. Enter the registration of any UK car, van or motorbike. How much of the specification is recorded varies by vehicle.