How to use the car specs data

To select the model you want for a car specs check, use you can enter your reg number or used the drop-down menus above, choose from make, model and year. This way you can decide exactly which model you want when on page.

This information will help you if you need basic vehicle info, or you want to know what is your car. It also helps when working out how far your car will go on a tank of fuel, or whether it will fit in your garage. For those who like to know how fast it is, the 0-60mph acceleration figures  , how much bhp a car has, and maximum speed data will tell you all you need to know as will its maximum power  and torque .

Finally, we also publish that all-important mpg fuel consumption data, which is directly responsible for what any car is going to cost you to run on a daily basis.

Car Specs FAQs

Here you'll find all the answers you'll need to those car specifications you've always wanted to ask.

Q: Can I find my car spec from its number plate?
A: Yes! You can enter your reg number above and your exact spec details will be shown, as long as the registration is a valid, UK-issued number, post-2001.

Q: What spec is my car?
A: When buying a car, it is important to know what the exact spec of the car is, so you can work out if it is the right car for you. You can check car details here to get the correct vehicle info and using that information, work out if it is what you need – fuel consumption data helps you plan your running costs, and bhp, engine size and performance figures can tell if the car is suitable for motorway driving, and whether it’s exciting enough for you. Dimensions are also important – is it big enough inside, and does it fit in your garage or parking space?

Q: What about my fuel economy?
A: All fuel consumption figures are quoted in miles per gallon (mpg) as this is the prevalent measure of fuel economy in the UK. It is the number of miles a car can do on one gallon of fuel, and on post-2017 models, these are figures obtained in official WLTP testing and they are generally closer to what you might expect to get in daily driving than pre-2017 figures. In our specs, we also show the size of the car's fuel tank and how many miles you might be able to expect to get on a single tank of fuel.

We also show the real-world cost of fuelling with our unique Miles Per Pound (mpp) figure, which uses official 'real-world' fuel consumption figures and constantly updated energy and fuel prices to show you how far all cars can expect go for the pound in your pocket. This is an excellent way of comparing electric cars with petrol and diesel on a like-for-like basis.

Q: How do I check my car dimensions?
A: The Parkers car specs pages are packed with data that covers everything you need to know about the dimensions of your car. You can check how long it is, to see if it fits in your garage, and how wide it is to get an idea of how manageable it is in town. A very useful dimension is luggage space, which is measured in litres. That might not seem logical – but the good news is that all cars’ boots are measured in litres and it means you can compare models in a consistent manner.

Q: How much horsepower does my car have?
A: Checking your power – especially before you buy – is important because it gives you a good idea of how easily your car copes with motorway driving – the more bhp it has the more easily it will cope with long-distance driving, as it will be less stressed at the legal limit. More maximum power also makes driving up steep hills easier, and means the car isn’t as badly affected when it’s loaded with passenger or luggage. Knowing exactly how much power it has is useful for comparing similar cars.

The Parkers specs pages show power in brake horsepower (bhp), but it is increasingly common to see this represented simply as horsepower (hp) – we do in our car reviews, for instance. These figures are different, with the hp figure being slighly higher than its bhp, but they are very close, especially in lower-powered cars.

Q: How to check my car performance
A: Not everyone has access to a test track, so being able to know how fast it is usually comes down to visiting sites, such as this one, to find out. There are some important benchmark figures that can tell you what your car’s performance is like – its 0-62mph time tells you how fast it is off the mark, while its maximum speed gives you a good indication of how easily it cruises on the motorway at the legal limit. 

Q: What about a vehicle weight checker?
A: Knowing how heavy your car is might not seem like the most important factor in car ownership, but there are times when knowing its kerbweight (in kg or lb) is essential. Consider if you find yourself towing, knowing your car’s weight and alongside its towing capacity will give you a good idea about how it’ll be when pulling a caravan or trailer.

Increasingly, towns and cities are imposing weight limits, too, as well finding them on small bridges – and if you drive a large SUV, it can be quite easy to inadvertently find yourself over any strict limit. Using the Parkers specs pages to check your car details is a very good way of avoiding potential issues.