What a car check tells you
A car check brings together the records held about a car, so you can see whether the seller's story adds up before you pay. From the registration, you can find out:
- Whether it's taxed and has a valid MOT, and its full MOT history, with every defect and advisory
- Whether the mileage has ever gone down between tests, a sign of clocking
- Whether a lender still has finance on it
- Whether it's been written off or recorded as stolen
- How many keepers it's had, and any plate or colour changes
- Outstanding safety recalls, past taxi use, and what it's worth
Start for free: enter the registration and we'll confirm the make, model, colour, year, fuel and engine before you pay anything.
Choose the check you need
The MOT and tax check (£2.99) covers the DVLA record, the full MOT history, a mileage check, plate and keeper changes, the specification and the safety rating.
The full history check (£9.99) adds outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records, safety recalls, taxi use and a valuation. If you're buying, it's the one to get: a car with finance owing may still belong to the lender, and a write-off affects what it's worth and what it costs to insure.
How it works
- Enter the registration.
- Make sure the car we find matches the one you're looking at.
- Choose your report and pay. We prepare it straight away, and it stays in your account for 2 years.
Questions
Will the seller know I've checked the car?
No. You only need the registration, and the seller isn't told.
Which vehicles can you check?
Cars registered in the UK. We can't check vans, motorbikes or other vehicles.
Why check a car at all?
Our guide Why check a car's history before you buy explains what can go wrong, and the used car buying checklist covers what to look at in person.