Check a car by license plate number
In Romania, a car's real history (mileage, damage, owners) is tied to the chassis number (VIN), not the license plate. Here's why and how to check correctly.
License plate vs. VIN
The license plate changes with each re-registration and isn't permanently tied to the car. To find the real history — mileage, damage, theft, leasing — you need the chassis number (VIN), the unique 17-character code that follows the vehicle for life. With the plate you can only check registration status and inspection, not the full history.
What the license plate tells you
Registration status
Whether the car is actively registered or de-registered.
Inspection validity
Whether the periodic technical inspection is valid, by plate.
What the VIN tells you (full history)
Real mileage
Odometer readings over time and tampering detection.
Damage & accidents
Where and when the car was hit, plus repair cost.
Theft, leasing & lien
Full legal-risk status for the vehicle.
No VIN? Where to find it
The VIN (chassis number) is in the registration (field E), visible on the windshield's lower corner and stamped on the body. It has 17 characters and is unique to each car.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check a car's history just by the license plate?
Not fully. The plate shows registration status and inspection, but the real history — mileage, damage, owners — is checked by the chassis number (VIN).
Why is the VIN needed and not the plate?
The plate changes on re-registration, while the VIN stays permanent. History databases tie information to the VIN, not the plates.
Where do I find the car's VIN?
In the registration (field E), on the windshield's lower corner and stamped on the body. It has 17 characters.
Is the VIN check free?
Checking data availability is free. The full history report (mileage, damage, photos) starts at 89.90 lei.