A CO2 emissions checker shows the carbon dioxide figure recorded for a vehicle, usually in grams per kilometre, along with its Euro status where the record holds one. The free MOT history checker can show CO2 and Euro details where they are recorded, so you can check CO2 emissions by registration number without paying. The figure feeds into vehicle tax rules and helps you judge clean air zone rules.

Part of Used Car History. Start with the main guide: HPI Clear: What a Clear Vehicle History Means
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
People search for this for different reasons: to understand road tax, to decide whether a car is acceptable in a low emission zone, or to compare used cars. The answers below explain what the figures mean, the difference between CO2 and air-quality standards, why some records are blank, and how to read the result without being misled.
What A CO2 Emissions Checker Shows
A car CO2 emissions checker reads the data tied to a registration number. Where the manufacturer's type-approval figure is recorded, it appears as grams of CO2 per kilometre. Some vehicles, especially older ones, have no figure on record.
The details you may see
- CO2 in grams per kilometre where recorded
- Euro status or emission standard where recorded
- Fuel type, engine size and year of manufacture
- Tax status and MOT expiry
Where the data comes from
The figures come from official vehicle records built from type approval and registration details. They are useful for comparison, but they are not a vehicle history check and say nothing about finance or write-offs.
Questions such as the CO2 emissions of my car by registration can be answered from the record, but other worries need a different check. Outstanding finance, a stolen vehicle marker, the number of previous keepers and a scrapped vehicle flag are not shown here. Those come from sources such as the Police National Computer, the insurer-maintained MIAFTR write-off register and commercial providers like HPI, which you would use as a separate step when buying.
Check CO2 Emissions By Registration Number
To check CO2 emissions by registration number, enter the plate into the free lookup. The search returns whatever official records hold, so a blank does not always mean zero, it may just mean nothing was recorded.
Steps to follow
- Find the registration on the plates or the V5C
- Enter it with no spaces in the lookup
- Read the fuel, engine and CO2 entries
- Confirm against the V5C if the answer matters
When the plate is not found
If nothing returns, recheck for typing errors such as O for 0, and remember that a very new or Northern Ireland vehicle may not appear in the Great Britain records at all.
Check CO2 Emissions By Reg
To check CO2 emissions by reg is the same thing in shorter words. A second source such as the vehicle's handbook or a manufacturer listing can help if the first shows no figure. Keep in mind that real-world emissions may differ from laboratory figures.
- Official figures are test-based
- Driving style changes real output
Check Car CO2 Emissions For Tax Purposes
Many drivers want to check car CO2 emissions because the figure can influence tax for certain registration dates. Rules differ by date and fuel, so read car tax calculator and the current GOV.UK bands rather than relying on memory.
Who should check
Owners of cars registered within certain date ranges, and buyers comparing running costs.
Tax varies by date
The link between CO2 and tax depends on when a car was first registered, so two similar cars can be taxed differently. Use vehicle tax status to see what is recorded for a particular plate, and confirm bands on GOV.UK.
Check Vehicle CO2 Emissions For Vans And Bikes
To check vehicle CO2 emissions for a van or motorbike, enter the plate in the same way. Coverage varies by vehicle type, and some records do not hold a figure. Use what MOT class is my vehicle to understand your category.
- Vans may use different tax rules
- Motorbikes are often recorded by engine size
Why blanks are common
Many motorbikes and older commercial vehicles were approved before CO2 was routinely recorded, so blanks are normal. They do not suggest a problem with the vehicle.
Car CO2 Emissions Checker Limits
A car CO2 emissions checker reports official data, not a live measurement. It does not reflect wear, tuning or faults. A worn engine may emit more than the figure suggests.
What to remember
The figure is a reference point, not a real-time test.
Reading figures sensibly
Use the number to compare similar models, not to predict fuel bills. Driving style, load, tyre pressure and servicing all change what a car really uses.
Check Emissions By Reg For Air Quality
To check emissions by reg in the sense of air quality, look at the Euro standard. CO2 is a greenhouse gas; Euro standards control pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates that matter for clean air rules.
Two separate ideas
- CO2 links to climate and tax
- Euro standards link to local air quality
Why the distinction matters
A car can be economical with low CO2 yet fall short of a city zone's standard, especially an older diesel. That surprises many owners, so always check the class, not just the economy figure.

Check Car Emissions By Reg
If you check car emissions by reg, be clear what you are after: a tax figure, an air-quality class or a description of the engine. Each appears in different parts of the record, and some are missing for older vehicles.
- Look at the fuel type
- Note the date of first registration
Check my car emissions by reg
When you check my car emissions by reg, also read the year of manufacture. Emission standards are tied to approval dates, so the year helps you estimate the likely Euro class if a record omits it.
A sanity check
Compare the recorded fuel and year with the V5C.
Check vehicle emissions by reg for used cars
To check vehicle emissions by reg before buying, record the figure and Euro status and compare with similar models. A big mismatch between advert and record is worth asking about. See used car lookup.
- Ask whether the engine has been swapped
- Check the V5C details
Reading the record in order
Start with fuel, then year, then any CO2 or Euro entries. Reading in that order makes it easier to spot entries that do not fit the vehicle you are looking at.
Check My Car CO2 Emissions By Reg
Check my car CO2 emissions by reg questions often come from owners of older diesels worried about charges. The CO2 figure alone will not settle that, because clean air zones use Euro standards, not CO2.
Which figure matters
For city zones, Euro status matters most. For tax, CO2 can matter depending on registration date.
What Emissions Is My Car
If you ask what emissions is my car producing, there are several answers: the recorded CO2 figure, the Euro class, and the real-world output. The record covers the first two where available.
- CO2 in grams per kilometre
- Euro standard
- Fuel and engine
How Do I Find Out The Emissions Of My Car
For how do i find out the emissions of my car, use the free lookup, then the V5C, then the handbook or manufacturer. If the car is imported or modified, official records may be incomplete.
If records disagree
Trust the official record as a starting point and ask the manufacturer or DVLA to clarify where it matters.
Checking the logbook
The V5C, sometimes called the logbook, may show a CO2 figure in a dedicated box. Read vehicle registration document information for what each section holds.
Find Car CO2 Emissions In Paperwork
To find car CO2 emissions without an online lookup, check the V5C, a certificate of conformity for newer imports and the manufacturer specification sheet. Older vehicles may list none.
- V5C box for CO2 where shown
- Handbook or brochure figures
Older cars
Vehicles from before the late 1990s rarely carry a CO2 figure, because it was not recorded at the time. Their entry may be blank, and that is normal.
| Source | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| V5C | Registered figure where shown | May be blank on older cars |
| Online lookup | Quick check by plate | Blanks are common |
| Certificate of conformity | Newer imports | May be missing |
| Brochure or handbook | Manufacturer claims | May not match the record |
Euro Status Checker Basics
A euro status checker reports the emission standard your vehicle was approved to, such as Euro 4, 5 or 6. The standard depends on approval date and fuel type, so identical-looking cars can differ.
Why Euro class matters
It affects clean air zone charging in many cities, and can influence resale appeal.
How Euro standards progress
Standards tighten over time, with higher numbers generally indicating cleaner output. Petrol and diesel follow different timetables, so never assume a number from one fuel applies to the other.
What Euro Is My Car Check
A what euro is my car check starts with fuel and first-registration date. As a rough guide, newer petrol cars are often Euro 4 or later and newer diesels need to be Euro 6 to avoid many charges, but confirm with the official record.
- Petrol and diesel use different cut-off dates
- Edge cases exist for imports and modified cars
Using registration year as a clue
If the record is silent, the year gives a rough guide, but approval dates can precede registration, and some cars are sold from stock years after approval. Treat the year as a starting point only.
What Emission Class Is My Car
For what emission class is my car, look at the record or the certificate of conformity. The class is not the same as a tax band, which is based on CO2 or other rules and changes over time.
Separate classifications
Euro class, tax band and MOT class are three different things.
Where else to look
A manufacturer helpline can confirm the standard from the VIN. A used car dealer should also be able to tell you, and should be willing to put it in writing if a purchase depends on it.
Is My Car Euro 6
To answer is my car euro 6, check the record for the Euro status or the date of first registration. Euro 6 diesels began appearing around the mid-2010s, but the exact date varies by model.
- The record may state Euro 6 directly
- If blank, use the manufacturer for confirmation
Why a written answer helps
If you are buying because a car meets a zone's standard, ask the seller to confirm it in writing and check the record yourself. A wrong assumption can be expensive.
Is My Car Euro 6 Compliant
Asking is my car euro 6 compliant usually means compliant with a clean air zone or LEZ. The zone's rules define compliance, so use the operating authority's checker as well as the vehicle record.
Always verify with the zone
Zone rules and exemptions change, so check current details before driving in.
Exemptions and discounts
Some zones exempt certain users or give temporary discounts, such as for disabled tax class vehicles or specific grants. These depend on the authority, so read their official guidance.

Is My Car Euro 6 Diesel
A question like is my car euro 6 diesel is about fuel and standard together. A Euro 6 diesel generally meets many city zone standards, but confirm, as zones, exemptions and dates vary.
- Look for fuel in the record
- Confirm Euro status
Is My Car Euro 4
Wondering is my car euro 4? Many petrol cars from the mid-2000s onwards meet Euro 4, but diesels need a higher standard for many zones. Verify using the record and the zone's own rules.
Common confusion
Petrol and diesel thresholds are not the same.
Older petrol cars
Older petrol vehicles frequently meet common petrol standards, but it is best to check the record and the zone. Do not rely on the badge or age alone.
Is My Van Euro 6
Is my van euro 6 is asked by many small businesses. Vans have different approval categories, so use the registration lookup and the zone's checker. See HGV and trailer MOT check for heavier vehicles.
- Light vans and heavy vehicles are treated differently
- Commercial rules can vary
Is My Car Petrol Or Diesel
To answer is my car petrol or diesel, the record lists the fuel. Also check the fuel cap, the V5C and the engine badge. Read is my car petrol or diesel for detail.
Why it matters
Fuel determines which Euro standard applies to clean air zones.
Is My Car LEZ Compliant
Asking is my car lez compliant means comparing the vehicle's standard with a low emission zone's rules. Scotland's LEZs are run by local councils, and rules can differ from English clean air zones.
- Compliance depends on the zone
- Always confirm on the official council tool
Scottish schemes
Scotland has introduced low emission zones in several cities, each with its own start dates and rules. Check the relevant council before travelling, including for visits.
Is My Car Low Emission Zone Compliant
For is my car low emission zone compliant, use the official checker for each zone. Your vehicle may be fine in one city and charged in another because zone rules differ by class and location.
Practical tip
Bookmark the checkers for zones you drive into regularly.
Check Clean Air Zone Rules
To check clean air zone rules, use the authority's own online tool, as it reflects current charging classes. The free record helps you confirm the facts you enter, such as fuel and first registration year. See Birmingham clean air zone check.
- Keep the registration handy
- Confirm class of vehicle
Keep your facts straight
Zone checkers ask for the registration and sometimes other details. Enter them accurately, and keep a screenshot of the result in case of a dispute later.
Birmingham ULEZ Check And The Clean Air Zone
Many people type birmingham ulez check or birmingham ulez checker when they mean the city's Clean Air Zone, since ULEZ is the London name. Is my car ULEZ compliant Birmingham is really a clean air zone question, so use Birmingham City Council's official checker.
Wording to watch
Different cities use different names for similar schemes.
Bristol ULEZ Check And Clean Air Zone
A bristol ulez check or bristol ulez checker search usually refers to Bristol's Clean Air Zone. Is my car ulez compliant bristol is best answered using the council's official vehicle checker, with fuel and registration details from the record.
- Confirm your vehicle class
- Check exemptions and discounts on the official page
Glasgow LEZ Check
For a glasgow lez check or glasgow lez checker, Glasgow's Low Emission Zone is run by the council. Is my car ulez compliant glasgow should be answered using the official Glasgow tool, as standards and exemptions are set locally.
Why local rules matter
Enforcement dates and vehicle categories differ by zone.
Reading Euro And CO2 Together
A car with a low CO2 figure is not automatically compliant with a city zone, and a compliant Euro class does not mean low CO2. Treat them as separate measures and check each against the rule you care about.
- CO2 for tax-related questions
- Euro for zone questions
A quick scenario
A small diesel from the early 2010s may have a low CO2 figure yet fail a city zone's Euro standard, while an older large petrol may pass the zone but carry a high CO2 figure. Both facts can be true.
CO2 Emissions, Tax And Cost
CO2 can affect tax for certain registration periods, and supplements may apply to expensive cars. See expensive car supplement and car tax hike for context, then check the current position on GOV.UK.
Check rather than assume
Rates and rules change, so confirm before making decisions.
Emissions And The MOT
The MOT includes an emissions test of exhaust output, which is a pass or fail check, separate from the CO2 record. A car can have a good record and still fail if the engine is faulty. Read check engine check and MOT check.
- Warning lights can fail a test
- Service the car before testing
Emissions advice before the test
An engine that is warm, serviced and free of warning lights is more likely to pass the exhaust check. See pre-MOT checks you can do yourself for practical steps.
Electric And Hybrid Vehicles
Fully electric cars have no exhaust CO2, and records typically show zero or no figure. Hybrids vary. Check the record for fuel type and Euro details, and confirm zone exemptions on official pages.
Mixed-technology vehicles
Plug-in hybrids have different official figures depending on mode.
Zone exemptions for electric vehicles are set locally and have changed over time, so never assume them. Before a journey into a zone, run the registration through the operator's own checker and keep the result.
- Confirm the fuel type on the record
- Read the authority's current exemption list
- Keep proof of the check
Imported And Modified Vehicles
Imported or modified vehicles may have records that do not match standard models. Check the V5C and, for imports, the paperwork supplied at registration. See car import check.
- Engine swaps can change the standard
- Tuning may affect compliance
Paperwork for an imported vehicle
An imported vehicle may rely on a certificate of conformity or other approval paperwork to show its standard. Keep it with the car, because it can be needed for zone queries.
Using The Result When Buying A Used Car
Record the CO2 and Euro details, compare them with the advert, and use them alongside service history, mileage and MOT history. Emission details alone do not tell you whether the car is a good buy.
Pair it with other checks
Add finance, write-off and stolen checks for important purchases.
Provenance and trust
Emission data supports your picture of vehicle provenance but does not replace checks for finance, stolen markers or write-off category. Read car finance checker for those risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the CO2 emissions of a car?
Enter the registration number into the free lookup and read the CO2 figure, recorded in grams per kilometre where available. If none appears, check the V5C, handbook or manufacturer. Some older or imported vehicles have no recorded figure, so a blank does not always mean zero.
Can I check CO2 emissions by registration number for free?
Yes, the free lookup can show CO2 and Euro status where they are held in official records. It does not show everything for every vehicle. If the entry is blank, use the V5C or manufacturer documentation instead.
What is the difference between CO2 and Euro status?
CO2 is a greenhouse gas measured in grams per kilometre and is used in some tax rules. Euro status is an emission standard covering pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates, and is the main factor for clean air zones.
Is my car Euro 6?
Check the Euro status in the record or the first-registration date and fuel type. Many diesels first registered from the mid-2010s are Euro 6, but it varies by model. Confirm with the manufacturer or official checker if it matters for a zone.
Is my car ULEZ compliant in Birmingham?
Birmingham operates a Clean Air Zone rather than ULEZ, so use Birmingham City Council's official vehicle checker. Compliance usually depends on fuel and Euro standard, and exemptions can apply, so confirm the current rules before driving in.
Is my car ULEZ compliant in Bristol?
Bristol runs a Clean Air Zone, so use the official council checker with your registration. Compliance typically depends on fuel and Euro class, and charges apply to certain vehicle types. Always verify current rules and exemptions with the council.
What is a Glasgow LEZ check?
A Glasgow LEZ check is a check of whether your vehicle meets Glasgow's Low Emission Zone standards. Use Glasgow City Council's official tool with your registration. Standards and enforcement are set locally, so rely on official information for the current position.
Is my car petrol or diesel?
The record shows the fuel type for most vehicles. You can also look at the fuel cap, the engine badge or the V5C. Knowing the fuel matters because petrol and diesel have different Euro thresholds for clean air zones.
What emission class is my car?
Look for the Euro status in the record, or check the certificate of conformity or manufacturer documents. The class depends on the approval date and fuel. It is not the same as a tax band or MOT class, which are separate classifications.
Is my car low emission zone compliant?
That depends on the zone's rules, your fuel and your Euro standard. Use the official checker for each zone, since compliance can differ between cities. Exemptions, discounts and vehicle categories may also apply.
Does an electric car have CO2 emissions on record?
Fully electric cars produce no exhaust CO2, so records usually show zero or no figure. Plug-in hybrids are more complicated, with official figures that depend on testing methods. Check the record and documents for your specific vehicle.
Does the checker show real-world emissions?
No. The recorded figure is a type-approval value, not a live measurement. Real-world output depends on driving style, condition and load. The MOT emissions test is a separate pass or fail check of the exhaust on the day of the test.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.