Finance, write-offs, and mileage: which car checks matter most?

Financial and legal checks should be prioritised because they represent immediate risks that can result in losing the vehicle or facing legal consequences. These checks include outstanding finance, stolen status, and scrapped records.

Outstanding finance checks are critical because if finance remains unpaid, the finance company may repossess the vehicle even after you purchase it. You may lose both the vehicle and your money with limited recourse. Stolen vehicle checks are equally critical because purchasing a stolen vehicle can result in police recovery, loss of the vehicle and your money, and potential legal consequences.

Scrapped vehicle checks identify vehicles that have been recorded as scrapped or dismantled. These vehicles should not be on the road and represent a major red flag. If any of these checks flag an issue, you should not proceed with the purchase.

Damage history checks reveal past incidents that may affect safety, value, or structural integrity. While not always deal-breakers, they require careful consideration and may affect your decision or negotiation position.

Write-off checks show if an insurance company has declared the vehicle a total loss. The category matters: Cat A and Cat B vehicles must be scrapped and cannot be returned to the road. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can be repaired and returned to the road, but you should verify repairs were completed properly. Cat C and Cat D are older categories with similar implications.

Import checks reveal if the vehicle was originally registered overseas, which may affect specifications, maintenance requirements, or record completeness. Colour change checks show if the vehicle has been repainted and the change was reported to the DVLA. A colour change only appears in records if the whole vehicle was resprayed. These checks help assess whether the vehicle's history affects its value.

Usage indicators help assess how the vehicle has been used and whether wear patterns are consistent with expectations. These checks include mileage records, MOT history, and MOT advisories.

Mileage checks show recorded mileage over time, helping you assess whether the vehicle's current mileage is consistent with its history. Mileage discrepancy checks identify inconsistencies between different records, which can indicate odometer fraud. Significant mileage fraud can affect both value and safety, as maintenance schedules are often mileage-based.

MOT history provides a timeline of test results, showing maintenance and roadworthiness trends. Recurring MOT advisories can indicate unresolved issues. While these checks are useful for understanding the vehicle's history, they are typically less critical than financial or legal risks.

Ownership and identity checks verify that the vehicle is what it claims to be. While important for verification, they are typically less critical than financial or legal risks unless they reveal serious issues.

Previous owner checks show keeper history and timing. Unusual turnover patterns can signal problems, but this is more of a warning sign than a deal-breaker. Vehicle identity checks confirm that VIN, VRM, and other identifiers match across all records. Identity mismatches are serious and can indicate fraud or cloning.

These checks are important for verification but are typically reviewed after addressing more critical financial and legal risks. If identity mismatches are found, this becomes a critical issue that should prevent purchase.

When reviewing a car history report, start with financial and legal checks. If outstanding finance, stolen status, or scrapped records are flagged, do not proceed with the purchase. These are non-negotiable risks.

Next, review damage history. Write-offs require careful consideration and verification of repairs. Imports may affect specifications or maintenance requirements. Colour changes show if the vehicle has been repainted and may affect value but are not necessarily deal-breakers. Assess whether the damage history affects your decision or negotiation position.

Then review usage indicators. Mileage discrepancies are significant fraud risks. MOT history helps assess maintenance and roadworthiness. These checks inform your understanding of the vehicle's condition and value.

Finally, verify ownership and identity. Unusual ownership patterns may warrant caution. Identity mismatches are serious and should prevent purchase. A systematic approach helps you identify the most critical issues first.

For detailed information about specific checks, see the vehicle check guides. Learn more about outstanding finance checks and why they matter.