Vehicle history check
What you can check for free, what you need to pay for, and why it matters when buying used.
What you can check for free
Full test history, pass/fail, advisories, mileage at each test. Available on GOV.UK.
Whether the vehicle is taxed, SORN'd, or has no tax. Via DVLA vehicle enquiry.
Outstanding safety recalls. Via GOV.UK recall checker.
Pass rates, common failures, mileage averages for any model — that's what this site provides, from 57.9 million tests. Search models.
What you need a paid check for
The free government tools don't cover finance, theft, write-offs, or plate changes. A vehicle history check (sometimes called an HPI check) queries multiple databases to flag these risks.
If the car has finance owing, the lender can repossess it — even after you've paid the seller. This is the #1 reason to run a check.
Cross-referenced against the Police National Computer. If it's stolen, you lose the car and the money.
Categories S and N (formerly C and D). A write-off isn't always dangerous but significantly affects value and insurability.
Number plate changes can hide a vehicle's history. A check reveals previous registrations.
Cross-checks mileage across MOT records and other sources to flag potential clocking.
When to run a check
- Before paying a deposit — always check before committing money
- Private sales — dealers have some legal obligations, private sellers don't
- Cheap deals — if the price seems too good, there's usually a reason
- No service history — missing paperwork increases the risk
Vehicle history check providers
Several companies offer vehicle history checks in the UK. Prices typically range from £5–£20 for a basic check.
The original and most recognised brand. Includes finance, stolen, write-off, mileage. From ~£20.
International vehicle history reports. Includes damage records from European databases. From ~£10.
Offers a free basic check plus paid comprehensive reports. Finance, stolen, write-off. From ~£6.
RAC-branded vehicle check with valuation included. Finance, stolen, write-off, mileage. From ~£10.
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Use our free data first
Before paying for a check, use the free tools. Look up the car's MOT history on GOV.UK — the mileage readings at each test will show if it's been clocked, and the advisory/failure history tells you what's been going wrong. Then check the model's overall MOT data here to see if the failure items are typical or unusual for that car.
If everything looks clean and you want to proceed, then run a paid vehicle history check to cover finance, theft, and write-off status — the things the free tools can't tell you.