Ten reasons for a car history check

A car history check is the smartest investment you'll make when buying a car – you can find out if it's stolen, written off or subject to outstanding finance.

We look at ten reasons why getting a car history check is so important before buying.

Get a car history check with Vehicle Check now.

1. Is it reported as stolen?
   Cars taken without the owner's consent are listed on the Police National Computer. Getting an history check (or ‘vehicle check') will find out if the car has been listed as stolen – and potentially save you thousands of pounds.
2. Is it subject to outstanding finance?
   If a car has outstanding finance it's legally still owned by the finance company. But it's not necessarily bad news – you can still come to an agreement with the finance company.
3. Has it been written off?
   There are five different categories as to how badly a car has been written off. An history check will tell you if the car has been written off, and into which category it falls.
4. Is it recorded as having been scrapped?
   A vehicle check will unearth any criminal activities with vehicles which have been sent for scrap, but have fraudulently returned to market.
5. Has the mileage been altered?
   If the car has had its mileage altered, a vehicle check will show up the discrepancy immediately. If the information is available, a vehicle check will reveal if the mileage has been wound back or if the car is older than advertised.
6. What is the car's value?
   Every make and model of car has a market value. The check will provide you with this, and show you if you're getting a good deal or are about to be ripped off.
7. What is the car's VIN?
   The car's vehicle identification number (VIN) – otherwise known as the chassis number – should match the one on the V5C registration document and the markings elsewhere on the vehicle (commonly on the windscreen or on the floor by the driver's seat). A vehicle check will confirm the car's correct VIN.
8. What are the full vehicle specs?
   Getting a vehicle check will allow you to see the full spec of the vehicle you're about to buy, including make, model, date of first registration, engine number, transmission and so on. If there are any major differences between the spec and what has been advertised – walk away from the deal.
9. How many previous owners has the car had?
   The data check will also tell you how many previous owners the car has had. If the seller is advertising 'one previous owner' and the history check tells you there have been more, it should set alarm bells ringing.
10. Will I get free insurance if the check fails?
    Some services offer the prospective buyer free insurance if any of the data in the report turns out to be incorrect. Vehicle Check offers up to £30,000 if this turns out to be the case. It also offers a free check if the report identifies the vehicle as recorded as stolen, written off (as category A or B), scrapped or on a risk alert register.

Get a car history check with Vehicle Check now.

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