Always do a history check on any vehicle you are considering buying. It is easy and inexpensive, and will provide you with valuable information. You can also check the vehicle history to identify scams or if it’s been stolen. That’s not all. You can use some of the information in a vehicle history check to get a better deal. We will be sharing everything you need to know about vehicle history checks.
A vehicle history check allows you to look back at your car’s history using the registration number. These details are usually compiled using the DVLA’s service history, databases of police and insurers, as well as private databases. These basic checks are free and will reveal the following:
The make and model of the car and its colour
The engine specification
Information and history about the MOT
Tax status and due date
The insurance group
The car’s CO2 emissions
Although more thorough vehicle history checks are expensive, they are certainly worth the money. Why? These will give you all of the above information and more. This includes:
If you have outstanding financing on the car
If the car is reported as stolen
If the car is a write-off for insurance
If the mileage is wrong
Logbook verification
VIN numbers and V5C are compatible
Why would you want to do a vehicle history review?
You should always check the salvage history before buying a second-hand car. It will provide you with peace of mind, reassurance and lots of other information. Car history checks can be used to check vehicle service history and inform you if your car has been involved in an incident or if it was scrapped. This is one of the best ways you can avoid car scams. It also gives you a complete picture about the car’s past. This information will help you avoid bad deals and vehicles with poor service records.
You could also use the information to negotiate a higher car price. If you’re looking for a Ford Fiesta in a used condition, the registration can be used to check the MOT history to determine if the vehicle has had any problems or recurring problems. It can give you an indication of how well the vehicle is maintained. You could use this information to bargain with the car seller.
Similar to the previous history check, if you aren’t sure which of the two cars you should buy (e.g., Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Juke), you can do one to help you choose. If you look at their pasts, you will see which one has had less problems.
How can I check the car’s history?
It is simple to check your car’s history. To verify the vehicle’s condition and status, you will need to follow these steps before purchasing a used car. Check the following steps to verify the car’s history:
Run a car history check online
Free MOT history check (more later)
Check the above mileage to determine if it matches the car’s.
Check to see if the vehicle was involved in an accident.
Make sure the car is in good standing with finance.
Always inspect the vehicle in person to verify its history.
You should also check the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) to verify its authenticity. This expert guide will provide all the information you need about VIN numbers, and where they can be found. It is important to verify that the VIN number is valid with the DVLA watermark and that the vehicle registration V5C is properly listed with the current owner.
How to verify vehicle history free of charge
The Gov.uk website provides free information from the DVLA and allows you to do a car history check. You’ll get the basics of the car: make, model, fuel type, tax, and whether it passed its MOT. It will tell you when your MOT expires as well as when the tax due. Simply follow these steps to perform a free vehicle history check
Visit Gov.uk
Click on “Start Now”
Enter the car’s registration #
Click ‘Continue to continue’
Please review the details and choose ‘Yes’, if they are correct.
You’ll see all the pertinent information when you hit ‘Continue.
It’s very simple and well worth your time. Additional online companies offer vehicle history checks for free. These sites provide the same information, but you can also purchase a more comprehensive car history check.
They’re still very practical. You can still use them, regardless of the make and model.
Why would you pay for a vehicle history report?
A vehicle history check can be obtained for free. However, the information it provides is very basic but still very useful. Paid vehicle history checks like the ones offered by HPI Check – the first to provide the vehicle history report – go into more detail. They are also very affordable and well-worth the small fee. This will let you know if the vehicle has any history:
You have insurance written off, your car is stolen, scrapped or it has been stolen.
Is there outstanding finance?
Is there any mileage discrepancy?
Has been imported/exported
The number and type of previous owners
Plus, many more
They are very useful in fighting car scams. They also include safety recall data. This allows you to determine if a specific vehicle has been recalled by the manufacturer because of a critical safety issue.