When buying a used car, it’s important to check its history.
For a few pounds, you can learn whether it’s been written off or stolen, its MOT history, if it has outstanding finance and much more.
Easily accessed checks can save unwanted stress later down the line and help you negotiate a deal.
Buying from a dealer
A reputable dealer, typically operating from a car showroom, should always check a car’s history.
They will be able to tell potential buyers if it’s been written off or has been part of a finance agreement, which must be sorted before its sold.
Having said that, it’s always worth buyers doing their own research. The process is straightforward and inexpensive, so it’s good to do just for that extra peace of mind.
Buying privately or at an auction
It’s always wise to check a car’s history when buying from a private individual or at an auction because there’s no guarantee the car has a clean past.
It’s ideal if you can find out the registration number of your chosen car before you buy, but this may not be possible.
If this is the case, take your smartphone with you, and if there’s an auction, arrive early to do your checks while you’re there.
How to check a used car’s history
The government website advises buyers to ask the seller for:
- the registration number
- make
- model
- MOT test number
But this could be more challenging that it sounds.
Some sellers may be reluctant to give you these details, as they’re known to help fraudsters clone cars.
How to check a car’s service history
This area of a car’s back story may be a struggle to find unless the selling dealer gives it.
Since most servicing records are now held online for data protection reasons, only the car owner or someone that they authorise can access a car’s service records.
What you can find out about the car you’re buying
With just the car registration number, it’s possible to complete an MOT check and discover some helpful information for free at the government-run.
You can check the MOT history of a vehicle online here. Some used car check services online offer a free check.
While these can be useful, it’ll likely be more useful to pay a few pounds for some additional checks.
This means that you can learn some really important information about the car, including:
- if the car is subject to a finance agreement
- if it’s been written off, including at what level (being written off doesn’t necessarily mean unroadworthy unless it’s recorded as being scrapped, but any write-off marker will affect a car’s value)
- the car’s MOT history
- if the car is recorded as being stolen any potential mileage discrepancies
- the number of previous owners
- CO2 emission information for petrol and diesel cars
- vehicle tax information – useful to know the annual cost of the road fund licence
Some of the available checks will also include:
- suggested fuel costs
- a taxi status
- check any colour changes
- vehicle valuation
- any vehicle recalls
The businesses offering these checks will back them up with data guarantees, usually for a set sum of money.
Different options are available: you can search online for ‘used car check’ to find out the scope of each business’s checks.
Some will also offer packages to check more than one car, which can be very useful for looking at several used car options.
You can try MotorCheck’s tool or this HPI check as a starting point.
Checks from your car finance provider
If you get a hire purchase quote with us, we’ll always do a quick background check on the car you want finance for.
We’ll figure it out if the car’s been written off, stolen, or already has finance taken out on it. This is to give you peace of mind, and to make sure we can accept the car.
