CarHistory

Car finance check

Find out if a lender still has a claim on a used car before you hand over any money. Enter the registration to check.

Check this car

Confirm the car for free before you pay

Why check for outstanding finance?

Many used cars are bought on hire purchase (HP) or a personal contract purchase (PCP). Until the agreement is paid off, the car belongs to the finance company, not the person selling it. If a seller doesn't clear the finance before selling, the lender can try to recover the car, and sorting it out can take time and stress.

A finance check shows whether a lender has registered an agreement against the car, so you can ask the seller to settle it before you buy, or walk away.

What the finance check shows

  • Whether any finance agreement is recorded against the car
  • The finance company and the type of agreement
  • When the agreement started, its term, and an estimated end date
  • The vehicle described on the agreement, with a warning if it doesn't match the car (it may relate to a previous car on the same plate)

The finance check is part of the full history check (£9.99), with stolen and write-off records, safety recalls, taxi use and a valuation, plus the MOT history and mileage check.

Where the information comes from

Finance records come from the register that UK lenders use to record agreements against vehicles, supplied to us through our vehicle data provider. Most mainstream lenders register their agreements, but not every lender does, and some loans (such as personal loans) aren't secured on the car at all. Records show what was registered at the time of your report.

If the report shows finance

Ask the seller for a settlement letter from the lender and make sure it's paid off before, or as part of, the sale. If you're buying from a dealer, they should clear it before handing over the car. Our guide Outstanding finance: what happens if you buy a car that isn't paid off? explains your rights.

Questions

Can a car with finance be sold?

Yes, but the finance needs to be settled first, because the car belongs to the lender until it's paid off. A seller can ask their lender for a settlement figure.

Is a finance check guaranteed?

No. The report shows the records held at the time it's produced. We don't offer a financial guarantee, so treat the report as one of the checks you make, alongside asking the seller for paperwork.

How quickly do I get the report?

Usually within a minute of paying. It stays in your account for 2 years.

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