Data Sources

CarVouch combines data from official UK government sources and Experian to provide comprehensive used car checks. Here's exactly what comes from where.

DVSA MOT History API

Free scan ✓ | Full Vehicle Check ✓

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) provides the official MOT history API. This is the same data used by garages and the GOV.UK MOT history service.

What it includes:

Complete test history (pass/fail dates)
Advisories (items that need attention soon)
Failure reasons (why a test failed)
Odometer readings at each test (for mileage trend analysis)

Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0
Update frequency: Real-time via API
Coverage: All UK-registered vehicles that have had at least one MOT test

DVLA Vehicle Registration Data

Free scan ✓ | Full Vehicle Check ✓

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) holds the official UK vehicle register. We access basic vehicle specification and tax data.

What it includes:

Tax status and expiry date
Make and year of manufacture
Colour
Fuel type (petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid)
Engine capacity (cc)
CO2 emissions (g/km)
MOT status

Important: DVLA data does not include keeper history or plate history. Those come from Experian and are only available in the Full Vehicle Check.

Experian Provenance Data

Full Vehicle Check only (£9.99+)

Experian is a leading vehicle data provider. Their provenance check covers finance, stolen markers, insurance write-off history and keeper records.

What it includes:

Outstanding finance: HP, PCP, lease or secured lending still active on the vehicle
Stolen markers: Police stolen vehicle database checks
Insurance write-off: Categories A, B, C, D, S, N from MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register)
Keeper history: Number of previous keepers
Plate history: Changes to the registration plate
Import/export: Whether the vehicle has been imported or exported

Data Guarantee: Full Vehicle Checks are protected by the Experian £20,000 Data Guarantee for 12 months, subject to Experian terms.
View Experian Data Guarantee terms →

Note: Experian data is not included in the free scan. You must purchase a Full Vehicle Check to access finance, stolen, write-off, keeper and plate history.

Quick comparison: Free scan vs Full Vehicle Check

Data source	Free scan	Full Vehicle Check
DVSA MOT history	✓	✓
DVLA vehicle data	✓	✓
AI advert analysis	✓	✓
Experian finance check	—	✓
Stolen markers	—	✓
Insurance write-off	—	✓
Keeper & plate history	—	✓
Full AI narrative	—	✓
PDF report	—	✓

Important disclaimers

CarVouch is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA, GOV.UK, Experian or HPI.
All data is provided as-is for information purposes. CarVouch reports are not a substitute for a mechanical inspection or professional vehicle assessment.
Data accuracy depends on the source. DVLA and DVSA data is official and updated in real-time. Experian data is subject to the Experian Data Guarantee terms.
Reports must not be the sole basis for a purchase decision. Always view the vehicle in person and consider a professional inspection.