Getting Started

The basics of vehicle history checks — what they are, how they work, and how to run one before you buy a used car.

• What is a vehicle history check?A vehicle history check is a report that brings together official and industry data about a used car before you buy it. It combines the key history…
• How does a vehicle history check work?You enter the car's registration number, and the check runs it against several databases — including the DVLA and DVSA, police-reported stolen vehicle…
• Is a vehicle history check worth it?For most used car buyers, yes. The check typically costs a fraction of what you stand to lose if the car turns out to have outstanding finance (which the…
• What information do I need to run a check?Just the vehicle's registration number (number plate). That's enough to pull the full report. It's a good idea to also have the VIN (chassis number) on…
• Which vehicles can I check?Any motor vehicle registered in the UK, including cars, vans, and motorbikes. This covers the vast majority of vehicles currently on UK roads. Vehicles…
• How long does a check take?After payment, your full report is generated in 10–30 seconds. You'll see a summary on screen straight away, and the complete report is emailed to you at…
• Does a vehicle history check include MOT history?Yes. Your report includes the car's MOT status, due date, and full test history — the same information you'd get from a free DVLA MOT check — alongside…
• How accurate is a vehicle history check?Data accuracy depends on how promptly the source organisation — a lender, insurer, or police force — reports the information. Most report within a few…
• What is the difference between a free and paid vehicle check?Free checks (like the DVLA's own lookup) only confirm basic, publicly available details — tax status, MOT status, and general vehicle information. They…
• What should I look for in a vehicle history check provider?A few things separate a genuine check from a low-quality one: Data sources — does it draw from the DVLA, DVSA, police-reported stolen vehicle records,…
• How often should I run a vehicle history check?Once, right before you're ready to buy — ideally within a day or two of handing over any money. A check run weeks earlier can miss events reported in the…