Vehicle Status Checks
You must purchase a VEHICLE STATUS CHECK if you are thinking of buying...
Any type of registered vehicle - it could be a car, motorbike, motor home, van etc.
The vehicle registration number can be checked online using one of the vehicle status check services listed below, you should do this before you buy the vehicle or hand over any cash! If you have found your dream car and can't wait leave a deposit and agree a deal subject to the car being 'all clear' this way you get your deposit back if something horrid turns up in the car history check.
With the cost of fuel these days and full vehicle status checks being available for only a few pounds it's better to check a few cars from home before viewing. Make sure you jot down the registration numbers, you can log in later with the VIN number to activate any indemnity insurance/guarantee. The VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) is the long number stamped into the chassis usually under the bonnet or corner of windscreen.
CarDataChecks.com - Compares car data checks, lots of info and downloads with FREE basic vehicle look-up
HPI Car Check - HPI Car Check the original car data check and household name - £19.99
MyCarCheck.com - Powered by CDL see website for details, prices from £1.99 - £14.95 Guaranteed
CarTextCheck.com - Checks stolen, write-off, DVLA but no finance check - via mobile phone £3
A good Vehicle Status Check should tell you...
- If the vehicle VIN and ID matches DVLA records etc..
- If the car registration number is right for that vehicle
- If the car has had a plate transfer and if there is any hidden history behind those
- If it is an insurance write off - 1 in 7 checked are!
- If the Police have any interest in it
- If there is any outstanding finance - 25% are still on finance!
- Has it been clocked - 1 in 12 show discrepancies!
- C02 Emissions - this affects cost of taxing it (RFL Road Fund Licence or VED Vehicle Excise Duty)
- Plus much much more....
You should check the vehicle before handing over any cash, over 1 million vehicles are checked this way every year in the UK Don't be the one who gets caught out, you risk losing the car by reposession or buying a deathtrap so check it first!
Why should you bother checking?
- 1 in 4 cars checked show outstanding finance
- 1 in 7 cars checked for the public are 'write offs'
- 1 in 12 cars checked showed mileage discrepancies
- 1 in 5 cars checked reveal a plate change
Stats for UK car data checks sourced from the AA, RAC, HPI, CDL, AutoCheck, CarTextCheck
Please check each respective website as terms and conditions may vary