Partial Plate Search: Find UK Vehicles When You Only Know Part of the Reg
Sometimes you don’t have the full registration number—maybe you caught a glimpse in traffic, you’re checking an old note, or you only remember the middle characters. With Lisense’s Partial Plate Search, you can start with just a few characters and still find matching vehicles fast.
- Start here: Partial Plate Search
- Go straight to results: Search vehicles
What is Partial Plate Search?
Partial Plate Search lets you look up vehicles in the UK using only part of a number plate (registration). You can begin with as little as 2–3 characters and refine as you go. Our system searches a large UK database and returns likely matches along with helpful details.
Key benefits:
- Lightning-fast results across millions of records
- Flexible matching (partial plate, plus optional make/model/colour on the search page)
- Access to MOT history, vehicle specifications, and tax status
- Built with compliance in mind, using publicly available DVLA data
Explore the feature overview: Partial Plate Search
How it works
- Enter part of a registration
- Use 2–3+ characters you remember (e.g. “AB1”, “7YZ”, “LX6”)
- Don’t worry about spacing; the system handles common formats
- Refine with optional filters
- On the main search page you can add make, model, and colour for narrower results
- These advanced filters are ideal when many plates look similar
- Review results and drill into details
- Open any result to view MOT history, specs, and other useful information
Try it now:
- Guided overview page: Partial Plate Search
- Direct lookup tool: Search vehicles
Tips for better results
- Be precise with characters like 0/O and 1/I if you can
- Add make/model/colour on the search page to reduce false matches
- If you only know the year indicator (e.g. “15”), pair it with a couple of letters
- Use multiple quick searches instead of one very broad one
What you can see
Depending on the match and available data, you can typically view:
- MOT test history and advisories
- Vehicle specifications (engine size, fuel type, emissions, etc.)
- Tax/MOT status indicators
- Helpful context on the make and model
For a quick start, head to: Search vehicles
Is it legal to search?
Yes. Lisense uses publicly available UK vehicle data and follows relevant data protection and privacy regulations. The tool is designed for responsible, legitimate use.
Common use cases
- Used car research before viewing or making an offer
- Garage/mechanic lookups for quick spec checks
- General checks for family or personal vehicles
See the full feature set and FAQs: Partial Plate Search
Frequently asked questions
How many characters do I need?
- You can start with as little as 2–3 characters. More characters usually mean fewer, more accurate matches.
Is it free?
- Basic searching is free. Optional advanced filters or premium features may apply on the main search page.
How up to date is the data?
- We regularly refresh against publicly available data sources to keep results accurate and current.
Can I search on mobile?
- Yes. The tool is responsive and works on desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers.
Ready to try it? Visit Partial Plate Search or jump straight into the Search tool.