A used car can look perfect and still hide outstanding finance, a write-off or a wound-back mileage. Here's what a history check reveals, and why it's worth doing before you hand over any money.
Most problems with used cars can't be seen on a test drive. A car can be clean, drive well and come with a confident seller, and still have a past that costs you thousands. A history check looks at the official records behind the car, so you know what you're buying before you pay.
What can go wrong if you don't check
These are the problems a history check is designed to catch. None of them are rare.
- Outstanding finance. If the seller still owes money on a hire purchase or PCP agreement, the lender owns the car until it's paid off. Buying it can leave you in a dispute with the finance company. Read more in what happens if you buy a car that isn't paid off.
- A previous write-off. Cars that insurers have written off can be repaired and sold again. That's legal for some categories, but it affects the car's value and insurance, and you should know before you agree a price. See write-off categories explained.
- Theft. A stolen car can be taken back by the police, and you'd lose both the car and your money.
- Clocking. Winding back the mileage makes a car look less used than it is, so you pay too much and may face unexpected wear. Read how to spot a clocked car.
- Cloning. Criminals copy the registration of a similar, legitimate car to disguise a stolen one. See cloned cars and plate changes.
What a history check tells you
A good check brings the official records together in one place:
- DVLA record: make, colour, engine size, first registration, tax and MOT status, and whether the car has been scrapped or exported.
- MOT history: every test since 2005, with failures, defects, advisories and the mileage recorded each time.
- Mileage check: whether the recorded mileage has ever gone down, and long gaps or unusually low use.
- Finance, stolen and write-off records: agreements registered by lenders, police stolen records, and insurance write-offs.
- Plate and keeper changes: previous registrations and how many keepers the car has had.
- Safety recalls and taxi use: outstanding manufacturer recalls, and whether the car has been licensed as a taxi or private hire vehicle.
When to run a check
Run it before you travel to see the car, using the registration from the advert. If the make, model or colour don't match the advert, or the check shows finance or a write-off the seller didn't mention, you've saved yourself a wasted journey.
Then, when you see the car, make sure the registration and VIN on the car match the logbook (V5C). A check is only useful if it's for the car in front of you.
With Car History you can confirm the car's make, colour and year from the DVLA for free before you pay for a report. If those don't match the advert, stop there.
Is it worth the money?
A report costs a few pounds. Outstanding finance, a hidden write-off or a stolen car can cost you the whole purchase price. Even when a check comes back clear, it gives you confidence to buy, and a clear report is useful when you sell the car on.
If the check does turn something up, it isn't always a reason to walk away. A Category N repair or a high-mileage MOT history might be fine at the right price. The point is that you decide with the full picture.
Next steps
Work through our step-by-step used car buying checklist, and check the car's registration before you go to see it.