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Privacy policy

Updated on 27 October 2026

Data controller

checkbyvin.co.uk belongs to carVIN, operated by WEB SEO DEV (Romania). Questions or requests about your data: [email protected].

This website explains how to check a used vehicle. Vehicle history reports are sold by carVertical, not by us; we link to them as an affiliate. You cannot register, log in, leave comments or subscribe to anything here.

Data collected when you use the site

Hosting. The pages are delivered by Cloudflare Pages. Like any web host, Cloudflare sees the IP address and browser of each visitor, the address requested and the time of the request. This is needed to deliver the site and keep it secure, which is our legitimate interest under the UK GDPR.

Analytics and advertising tags. We use Google Tag Manager, provided by Google Ireland Limited. Through it, Google Analytics and Google Ads measurement may place cookies and receive your IP address, device details and the pages viewed. Your browser lets you refuse or remove these cookies at any time.

Discount pop-up. Closing the pop-up saves a small cookie, cta_uk, for 24 hours so the pop-up stays closed. It holds no information about you.

Registration numbers and VINs. A plate or VIN typed into our form is sent by your browser directly to carVertical, through our affiliate link and its tracking codes. None of it is saved on our side. For what happens on carvertical.com, read carVertical’s own privacy notice.

Email. If you email us, we keep your message and address only for as long as it takes to deal with it.

Sharing and transfers

Data reaches Cloudflare, Google and carVertical only for the purposes listed above. Where any of them handles data outside the UK, it relies on the transfer safeguards recognised by UK data protection law. We do not sell or rent personal data to anyone.

Your rights

Under the UK GDPR you may ask to see, correct or erase your data, to restrict or object to its use, and to receive it in a portable format. Email [email protected]. If you are unhappy with our answer, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Updates to this policy

When the site starts or stops processing data, this page changes and the date above is updated.

Where do I find the VIN?

Car with arrows pointing to the VIN plate at the base of the windscreen and on the door pillar
  1. On the V5C log book: the line marked E, "VIN/Chassis/Frame no".
  2. Through the windscreen: a small plate at the bottom corner on most cars, readable from outside.
  3. On a door pillar: the manufacturer's label when you open the door.
  4. Stamped into the body: in the engine bay or under the carpet near a front seat, depending on the model.

A VIN is 17 letters and numbers and never uses I, O or Q. The number on the car must match the log book.

Don't have the VIN?

  1. Use the number plate: open the Reg plate tab of the form and search without the VIN.
  2. Ask the seller for the VIN or a photo of the V5C. Private sellers and dealers can share it before a viewing.
  3. Zoom into the advert photos: the windscreen plate is sometimes readable.
  4. At the viewing, compare the VIN on the car with the log book before you pay anything.

If a seller refuses to give the VIN or show the log book, walk away.

More on finding the VIN