Previous owners check
A previous owners check reveals how many keepers a vehicle has had and its ownership history. This check helps buyers understand how the vehicle has been used, assess its value, and identify potential issues related to frequent ownership changes.
Why this matters
The number of previous owners can affect a vehicle's value and desirability. Vehicles with many previous owners may have had less consistent maintenance or more varied use. Frequent ownership changes may indicate underlying issues that caused owners to sell quickly. However, a reasonable number of owners for an older vehicle is normal.
What can happen if you skip it
- You may not identify vehicles with suspiciously frequent ownership changes
- You may miss potential issues that caused previous owners to sell quickly
- You may pay more than the vehicle is worth if it has many previous owners
- You may not understand the vehicle's usage history
- You may have difficulty selling the vehicle later if it has many previous owners
What to look for before buying
- Run a vehicle history check to see the number of previous keepers
- Check for frequent ownership changes that may indicate problems
- Consider the vehicle's age and whether the number of owners is reasonable
- Verify the vehicle's service history and maintenance records
- Ask the seller about the vehicle's history and why they are selling
How a vehicle history check helps
A vehicle history check provides official records showing the number of previous keepers and keeper changes over time. This helps buyers understand the vehicle's ownership history, assess its value, and identify potential issues.
What a Carpeep vehicle history check can show
- Theft and recovery status, including whether the vehicle has been reported stolen
- Write-off category (Cat S, Cat N, Cat A, Cat B, Cat C, Cat D) and date of write-off
- Outstanding finance agreements, including provider name, agreement type, and start date
- Mileage inconsistencies and potential odometer rollbacks, automatically flagged
- Keeper changes and number of previous owners
- MOT history timeline, including all test dates, pass/fail results, advisories, and recorded mileage at each test
- Vehicle identity verification
Related guides
Learn more about vehicle history: What does insurance write-off mean? and What does stolen vehicle record mean?
Frequently asked questions
How many previous owners is too many?
There is no fixed number, but you should consider the vehicle's age and whether the number of owners is reasonable. For a 10-year-old vehicle, 3-4 previous owners may be normal, but 8-10 owners may indicate problems. Frequent ownership changes may suggest underlying issues.
How can I check how many previous owners a car has had?
You can check how many previous owners a car has had by running a vehicle history check using the vehicle's registration number. The check will show the number of previous keepers and keeper changes over time. This information comes from official DVLA records.
Does the number of previous owners affect value?
Yes, vehicles with fewer previous owners are generally more desirable and may have higher resale values. Vehicles with many previous owners may be viewed as less well-maintained or having underlying issues, which can reduce their value.
What does a high number of previous owners indicate?
A high number of previous owners may indicate underlying issues that caused owners to sell quickly, inconsistent maintenance, or varied use. However, it may also be normal for older vehicles or vehicles used in specific ways, such as company cars or rental vehicles.
Can I see when previous owners changed?
A vehicle history check shows keeper changes over time, helping you understand when ownership changed. This can help identify patterns, such as frequent changes or long periods with single owners, which may provide insight into the vehicle's history.
Is one previous owner better?
Generally, vehicles with fewer previous owners are more desirable, as they may have had more consistent maintenance and care. However, a reasonable number of owners for an older vehicle is normal, and the vehicle's condition and service history are more important than the number of owners alone.