How to Check the Previous Owners of a Vehicle Using the DVLA

A Common Question When Buying a Used Car: How Many Previous Owners Were There?

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Looking to find out about previous owners of a used car in the UK? Check Car Details has a guide to help you determine the number of previous owners and the last registered keeper of a vehicle. If you want a fast and easy solution, our premium vehicle checks will provide you with the information you need. Don't waste time with outdated or inaccurate information - trust Check Car Details to give you reliable answers. Our service makes it simple to get the details you need on UK vehicles.

Is it Possible to Find Previous Owner Information in the V5 Logbook

The V5 Logbook Only Shows Information About the Current and Previous Owner of a Vehicle. If You Want to Find Out More About the History of Previous Owners, There are a Few Steps You Can Take.

Are the Names and Addresses of Previous Owners Available for Free?

It's a bit of a grey area. The DVLA may release details about previous and current keepers, but it's not currently possible to request this information online. Services like Check Car Details and HPICheck cannot provide you with previous keeper details either - they can only give you the number of previous keepers. If you're looking for specific information, it gets a bit trickier. Due to privacy laws, the DVLA doesn't just hand over this data without a good reason, or "reasonable cause" as they call it. Examples of what the DVLA considers reasonable cause include investigating an accident, finding the registered keeper of an abandoned vehicle, or tracking down people suspected of insurance fraud. Simply wanting to know more about a car you're interested in buying or whether it was previously used as a taxi does not qualify as a reasonable cause. If you believe your request is valid, you'll need to fill out form V888. Keep in mind that lying on this form is a criminal offense.

How do you fill out form V888?

It's a straightforward process. Just fill out the form and apply by mail. The form you need to use depends on your status: if you're an individual, use form V888; if you're a company that issues parking or trespass charge notices, use form V888/3. You can find both forms on the DVLA website. Remember, you can only request previous keeper information if you have a valid reason, or "reasonable cause" as defined by the DVLA. Lying on this form is a criminal offense.

How many owners are too many when buying a used car?

It's generally believed that one owner is the ideal number, as this suggests that the car has received consistent care and a consistent driving experience. However, it's not a hard and fast rule - ultimately, what matters is how well the car has been treated and maintained, regardless of the number of owners. If the car is in good condition and has been well-cared for, the number of owners shouldn't be a significant concern. It's worth noting that the fewer owners a car has, the more attractive it may be to potential buyers.

Can companies see current keeper information?

It's possible, but it's heavily regulated and only permitted for specific purposes. For example, a parking charge company like ParkingEye may be able to view your details in order to send you a fine or invoice. The DVLA charges fees for releasing driver information to companies. Services like Check Car Details do not have full access to all previous keeper history information from the DVLA and can only provide the number of previous keepers. However, we do offer other used vehicle checks for a one-time fee. Keep in mind that you can only request previous keeper information if you have a valid reason, or "reasonable cause" as defined by the DVLA. Lying on the form is a criminal offense.

Need to contact the DVLA to request previous keeper information?

here are a few options available to you. You can send your request via email or postal mail. Here are the relevant addresses:

Email: [email protected]

Postal mail: SAR Enquiries, DVRE, DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL