Check the Number of Car Owners with a Registration Number in the UK

Ever wondered who owns that car parked in front of your house every day? Or maybe you’ve had a fender bender, and all you’ve got is the registration number. Let’s walk through how you might legally and safely find the vehicle owner by registration number in the UK.

Why you might want to find a car owner:

Imagine this: You’re heading to work, and there’s a car blocking your driveway again. You’ve had enough and want to know who owns it. Or maybe you’re eyeing a used car online, but something feels off. Knowing the car’s history could help you avoid a costly mistake.

In these situations, knowing who owns the vehicle could make all the difference.

Can I get the car owner(s) details?

Here’s the thing: In the UK, no car history check provider, not even the official HPI check, can give you personal details about previous owners. It’s like trying to find someone’s address just by knowing what street they live on—it’s not that simple.

What you can find out, though, from our free car check report is pretty useful:

1. When the vehicle was registered: This tells you how long the current owner has had it.
2. How many previous owners there were: With the vehicle keeper’s change date, more owners might mean it’s wise to approach with caution.
3. The car’s first registration date and age: Useful for checking if it’s as old (or new) as the seller claims.
4. Full vehicle description: Including the make, model, colour, engine size, and transmission.

But, if you need the owner’s name, you’re out of luck unless you have a “reasonable cause.” The DVLA, which holds this information, only releases it for valid reasons, like road safety issues. So, if that car keeps blocking your driveway, you might have a case.

For more information, check out the DVLA’s guide on releasing information.

How do I find out who owns a car in the UK?

Let’s say every morning you wake up, and there’s the same car blocking your driveway. You’ve tried leaving notes, but nothing has changed. Now, you’re ready to take it a step further. Here’s what you can do:

1. Gather evidence: Take photos of the car, noting the dates and times it’s blocking your driveway. This will support your case.
2. Complete the V888 form: Visit the DVLA website and download the V888 form. This is the official request form for finding information about a vehicle’s owner.
3. Fill out the form: In the form, you’ll need to explain your “reasonable cause” for requesting the information. In this case, you’d describe how the car is repeatedly blocking your driveway and causing a nuisance.
4. Submit the form: Once completed, you’ll need to send the form to the DVLA, along with any supporting evidence, like the photos you took.
5. Wait for a response: If the DVLA agrees that your request is valid, they’ll provide you with the owner’s details. With this information, you can contact the owner directly or take further action.

Steps to find a car owner through Car Analytics:

Let’s say you’re serious about finding out more about a car. Here’s how Car Analytics can help:

1. Visit Car Analytics: Start by heading to their website.
2. Enter the registration number: Enter the car’s reg number.
3. Get your report: Review details like vehicle description, keepers history & MOT history.
4. Look for red flags: Check for any issues, such as multiple owners or discrepancies in the records.
5. Contact DVLA if needed: If you have a valid reason, request the owner’s details through the DVLA.

Want to know more about the vehicle? You can unlock tax status, write-off history, and police-stolen info with our premium report starting from just £4.99.

Why knowing previous car ownership matters:

Picture this: You’re about to buy a car, but it’s had six previous owners in just a few years. That’s a red flag. Knowing the car’s history helps you make a smart decision. Fewer owners can mean a better resale value and fewer headaches down the road.

How to transfer my car ownership?

So, you’ve bought the car. Now what? Transferring car ownership is a breeze with the DVLA’s online service. You’ll need the 11-digit reference number from the V5C (that’s the logbook). Once done, the new owner should get a confirmation email and a new logbook within five days. Just don’t forget to do this, or you could end up with fines or other legal issues.

But what if you’re selling the car to a dealer or scrapping it? In these cases, you’ll need to fill out specific sections of the V5C and send them to the DVLA. If you’re scrapping the car, the rest of the logbook should go to the scrapyard. Remember, when selling to a dealer or trader, you don’t need to worry about the new keeper details—they handle that.

Recommended reading: How to check if the logbook is genuine? 

Wrapping up the road trip:

So there you have it—a complete guide to finding a car owner by registration number in the UK. It’s not always straightforward, but with the right approach, you can get the information you need. Whether you’re dealing with a blocked driveway or checking out a used car, following the right steps will keep you on the right side of the law.