The complete guide to checking a vehicle by license plate and never falling for scams again
Learn to identify IPVA debts, hidden fines, and even court restrictions before closing a deal and protect your wallet from costly surprises.
What a simple plaque can reveal goes beyond what you imagine. Find out now.
Avoid pitfalls when buying a used vehicle with a simple online check.
With license plate data and just a few clicks, you can access valuable information about any vehicle. Discover how license plate searches can make your decisions easier.
Before making any decision, learn about the benefits a simple consultation can offer and discover how it can transform your experience.
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Before buying a used car, do this: the tip that saved Ricardo from a scam
Ricardo, a computer technician, almost bought a used car online. However, something made him hesitate. So, he decided to check the vehicle's license plate, just to be sure.
By accessing a reliable app, he discovered IPVA debt, a court order, and an auction history. In other words, his dream car was hiding a series of problems.
Fortunately, the free consultation saved Ricardo from a huge loss. Therefore, understanding how to check fines and impediments by license plate is essential to avoid headaches.
In this article, you'll learn how to perform this search in a practical way, using reliable apps to search for vehicles by license plate.
Best apps to check vehicles by license plate
With the advancement of technology, it has become much easier to access detailed information about a vehicle using just its license plate.
So, whether you're checking fines, IPVA debt, auction registration, or potential court restrictions, there are now practical and reliable apps that do all the work in seconds.
Below, we've listed the best apps available for Android and iOS, based on positive reviews, user popularity, and the accuracy of the data provided:
1. Master Plate
- Platform: Android
- Free: Yes, with premium option
- Functions: Complete search by license plate or Renavam, including fines, IPVA, financing, auction history and restrictions.
- Emphasis: Simple interface and detailed reports.
2. Keep an eye on the car
- Platform: Online
- Free: Yes, with paid plans
- Functions: Checks whether the vehicle has been stolen, been auctioned, had accidents, or been cloned.
- Emphasis: Speed and reliability of data.
3. Fipe Cars
- Platform: Android and iOS
- Free: Yes
- Functions: Check updated values using the FIPE Table, basic car data and market comparisons.
- Emphasis: Ideal for fair negotiations when buying and selling.
4. Pull Plate
- Platform: Android
- Free: Yes, with extra paid features
- Functions: Information on accidents, liens, IPVA (vehicle tax), fines, auctions, and restrictions. Sends automatic notifications about the vehicle being searched.
- Emphasis: Excellent value for money for those who need complete information.
5. Sinesp Citizen
- Platform: Android and iOS
- Free: Yes
- Functions: Free vehicle theft and robbery checks, directly from the Ministry of Justice database.
- Emphasis: Security and official data of the Federal Government.
6. Official Detran (state) apps
- Platform: Android and iOS
- Free: Yes
- Functions: Information on fines, IPVA (vehicle property tax), licensing, driver's license points, and much more.
- Emphasis: Reliability of sources, directly from state databases.
How to check a vehicle by license plate: a simple step-by-step guide
Now that you know the main applications, it's time to understand how to perform the query correctly.
So, know that the process is simpler than it seems and, most of the time, can be done in just a few minutes directly from your cell phone.
Below, we explain a basic step-by-step guide that works for most reliable apps, such as Master Placa, CheckPlaca, or even the official Detran apps:
1. Choose a reliable application
First, access your cell phone's app store (Google Play or App Store) and download the desired app.
We recommend starting with Master Placa, which offers a complete overview, or Sinesp Cidadão, if you want to quickly find out if your vehicle has been reported stolen or robbed.
2. Open the app and select the license plate search option
So, after installing, open the app and select the license plate search function. In some cases, you can also use Renavam, if you have it handy.
3. Enter the vehicle license plate correctly
Enter your details carefully. After all, small errors when typing your license plate number can lead to inaccurate results. Then tap the button to perform the search.
4. Wait for it to load and review the information.
In a few seconds, the application will bring up the report with all available information:
- IPVA status
- Registered fines
- Auction or claim history
- Judicial or administrative restrictions
- Financing or liens
Additionally, some apps even show whether the vehicle is in the name of a rental company, insurance company, or private individual.
5. Save or share the report (if necessary)
If you're negotiating a vehicle, you can save the report or even share it with the seller. This increases transparency and helps prevent scams.
Extra tip: use more than one app to compare
Not all apps provide exactly the same information. Therefore, using two or more apps can give you a more complete view and increase data reliability.
Having trouble getting credit? Understand why your credit score is blocking your access to financing.
Even with a clean credit record, your loan or financing application may be denied. This often happens because your credit score is lower than expected.
And while this may seem complicated, the truth is that there are simple and effective solutions. With the right steps, you can improve your score and get more approval.
Furthermore, understanding how the system works makes it easier to make smart financial decisions. This way, you can secure better conditions and avoid falling into market traps.
So, if you want easier access to credit and increase your purchasing power, check out the full article below and find out everything you need to do.
How to increase your credit score
A step-by-step guide to increasing your credit score and securing financial opportunities
