Used-car buyer guide
What should you check before buying a used car?
A vehicle can look right in an advert and still have history worth understanding. This guide explains what the main records mean, what they cannot prove, and how to use a vehicle-history report as one part of a careful buying decision.
Start with the registration and the vehicle
Use the registration to review available records, but also compare the VIN and registration shown on the vehicle with its documents. A history report is a useful evidence source, not a substitute for seeing the car, checking the seller’s paperwork, taking a test drive and arranging an independent inspection where appropriate.
What records should a buyer consider?
- MOT history: past DVSA tests, results, advisories, defects and recorded mileage readings where supplied.
- Outstanding finance: available records that may indicate a finance agreement connected with the vehicle.
- Insurance condition or write-off records: returned records relating to insurer-recorded damage or loss.
- Stolen-vehicle records: available records indicating whether the vehicle has been reported stolen.
- Keeper history: the number of previous keepers and keeper-change information where returned.
- Registration and identity: plate changes, V5C document history, import, export, scrappage, colour and previous identity-check information where returned.
Questions buyers frequently ask
What is a vehicle-history check?
It brings together available records connected with a registration. A free MOT check focuses on DVSA information; a paid vehicle-history report can add finance, insurance condition or write-off, stolen-vehicle, keeper and registration-history information where returned. It is not a physical inspection or guarantee.
Is a free MOT check the same as a full vehicle-history report?
No. MOT history is one part of the picture. The separate paid ClearCar Report can include additional history data provided by Experian through One Auto API, where returned.
What does outstanding finance mean?
An outstanding-finance record can indicate that a lender or finance company still has an interest connected with the vehicle. Read the returned details carefully and obtain appropriate confirmation before buying. The report itself does not settle finance or transfer ownership.
Does a write-off record mean the car cannot be bought?
Not automatically. A returned insurance condition or write-off record needs to be understood in context. Ask for supporting evidence, inspect the vehicle carefully and obtain an appropriate independent assessment before deciding.
Does ClearCar Report verify mileage?
No. DVSA MOT records may show mileage readings recorded at tests, but ClearCar Report does not claim a verified mileage history or mileage guarantee. Compare the readings with the vehicle, service history and other documents.
Does “no records returned” guarantee that the car is clear?
No. Records can be incomplete, delayed or later corrected. “No records returned” is not a guarantee that no issue exists, and unavailable information must not be treated as a clear result.
How much is the full ClearCar Report?
It costs £4 GBP as a one-off payment. There is no subscription and no customer account is required.
Where does the information come from?
The free basic check uses DVSA MOT data. The paid vehicle-history report uses One Auto API, with vehicle-history data provided by Experian. ClearCar Report is operated by Syncade Systems Ltd.
What a history report cannot replace
A report cannot confirm the vehicle’s present mechanical condition, roadworthiness, true ownership, seller identity or every event in its history. ClearCar Report does not provide a valuation, physical inspection, verified mileage history, legal advice or an Experian data guarantee or indemnity.