Engine Size Check: What Engine Size Is My Car?

To check a car's engine size, enter its registration in the search box above. The free check shows the engine size in cc (cubic centimetres) from the car's DVLA record in seconds, with its CO2 emissions and Euro emissions standard. Divide the cc by 1,000 and round to one decimal place for the size in litres: 1,598cc is a 1.6 litre engine. The full report adds the engine number, the engine description and the car's power in bhp.

How to check engine size by reg

1. Type the registration into the box at the top of this page. If you only have the VIN, choose "VIN / Chassis No." instead.
2. The free check shows the make, model, year and engine size in cc.
3. Compare it with the badge, the advert and the V5C log book, which also shows the engine size in cc.

What engine size is my car? cc to litres

Manufacturers round the engine size for the badge, so the exact cc on the record is usually a little under or over the figure on the boot lid. A few common sizes:

An electric car has no engine size on its record. The full report shows its specification, including the power where it is recorded.

What our engine size check shows

Why the engine size matters when you buy

• It confirms the car is what the seller says. A "2.0" in the advert should be about 2,000cc on the record. If the badge and the record don't agree, the badge may have been changed, or the engine swapped.
• Car tax on older cars. Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size, with a lower rate for engines up to 1,549cc. Newer cars are taxed on CO2 emissions, which the free check also shows. Our car tax calculator works it out.
• Insurance and parts. Insurers price on the exact model and engine, and parts often differ between engine sizes of the same model.
• Size isn't power. Two cars with the same engine size can have very different power. The car spec check shows what BHP the car has.

Engine size, engine code or engine number?

The engine size tells you how big the engine is. The engine code tells you which engine design it is, and the engine number identifies that one engine, like a serial number. To match the engine to the car before you pay, compare the engine number on the block with the V5C and the full report: see our engine number and engine code check.

Engine size check FAQs

Can I check engine size by reg for free?
Yes. Enter the registration above: the free check shows the engine size in cc from the DVLA record.

Where is the engine size on the V5C?
In the vehicle details section of the V5C log book, shown as the cylinder capacity in cc.

How do I convert cc to litres?
Divide by 1,000 and round to one decimal place. 1,598cc is 1.6 litres and 1,968cc is 2.0 litres.

Why is my engine size different from the badge?
Badges round the size. A 1.6 litre engine is often 1,560cc to 1,598cc. A large difference, such as a "2.0" badge on a 1,4xxcc car, is worth asking about.

Does an electric car have an engine size?
No. Electric cars have no engine size on the DVLA record. The full report shows the specification, including the power where it is recorded.