The most common mistakes buyers make when reading car history reports

Many buyers focus on sections that seem interesting or easy to understand, such as MOT history or mileage records, while overlooking critical financial and legal sections. This can lead to missing serious risks that should prevent purchase.

Financial and legal sections should be reviewed first, as they represent immediate risks. Outstanding finance, stolen status, and scrapped records are non-negotiable deal-breakers. If these are flagged, do not proceed with the purchase, regardless of what other sections show.

While MOT history and mileage records are useful, they are typically less critical than financial and legal risks. Start with the most critical sections, then review other sections to build a complete picture. A systematic approach helps ensure you do not miss important information.

Write-off categories can be confusing, and buyers often misunderstand what they mean. Some buyers assume all write-offs are deal-breakers, while others assume all write-offs are acceptable if the vehicle has been repaired. Both assumptions can lead to mistakes.

Cat A and Cat B write-offs must be scrapped and cannot be returned to the road under any circumstances. These are absolute deal-breakers. Cat S and Cat N write-offs can be repaired and returned to the road, but you should verify that repairs were completed properly and that the vehicle is safe to drive.

Cat C and Cat D are older categories with similar implications to Cat S and Cat N. If a write-off is shown, understand what category it is and what this means for safety and value. Do not assume all write-offs are the same, and do not proceed without understanding the implications.

Some buyers overlook mileage discrepancies, assuming they are minor issues or administrative errors. However, mileage discrepancies can indicate significant fraud, and they should be taken seriously.

Mileage discrepancies occur when different records show inconsistent mileage readings. This can indicate odometer tampering, which is illegal and can affect both value and safety. Maintenance schedules are often mileage-based, so incorrect mileage can lead to missed maintenance.

If a report flags mileage discrepancies, investigate further. Do not assume it is a minor issue or administrative error. Significant discrepancies are serious fraud risks that should affect your decision.

A clean history check shows there are no recorded issues in official databases, which is positive. However, some buyers assume this means the vehicle is perfect, which is not necessarily true. A clean check does not guarantee current mechanical condition or that there are no unreported issues.

A history check shows recorded information from official databases. It cannot show private service history, unreported accidents, or current mechanical condition. A clean check is positive, but it should be combined with other assessments, such as a mechanical inspection, to get a complete picture.

Do not skip a mechanical inspection just because the history check is clean. The history check and mechanical inspection serve different purposes and should be used together to assess the vehicle comprehensively.

MOT advisories are notes about issues that do not cause a failure but may need attention. Some buyers ignore advisories, assuming they are minor issues that do not matter. However, recurring advisories can indicate unresolved problems.

If the same advisory appears on multiple MOT tests, this suggests the issue has not been addressed. This may indicate ongoing problems or neglect. Review the pattern of advisories over time to understand whether issues have been resolved or are recurring.

While a single advisory may not be a major concern, recurring advisories should be investigated. They may indicate problems that will require attention or affect the vehicle's condition and value.

Some buyers skip identity verification sections, assuming they are less important than other checks. However, identity mismatches are serious and can indicate fraud or cloning. If identifiers do not match across records, this is a critical issue.

Vehicle identity checks confirm that VIN, VRM, make, model, and other identifiers match across all records. Mismatches can indicate that the vehicle is not what it claims to be, which is a serious fraud risk. Do not proceed with purchase if identity mismatches are found.

While identity verification may seem less critical than financial or legal risks, it is still important. Identity mismatches are deal-breakers that should prevent purchase, regardless of what other sections show.

Many buyers do not ask for clarification when they encounter something they do not understand. This can lead to misinterpretation and poor decisions. If something is unclear, it is better to ask than to assume.

Most report providers offer help sections, glossaries, or customer support to help buyers understand their reports. Use these resources if you encounter terminology or information you do not understand. Do not proceed with uncertainty.

If you are unsure how to interpret something in the report, seek advice from someone experienced with car purchases, or contact the report provider for clarification. It is better to ask questions than to make assumptions that could lead to costly mistakes.

Read the report systematically, starting with financial and legal sections, then damage history, then usage indicators, then ownership and identity. Do not skip sections or focus only on what seems interesting. A systematic approach helps ensure you do not miss important information.

Use glossaries or help sections to understand terminology. If something is unclear, ask for clarification rather than assuming. Understanding the terminology is essential for interpreting the results correctly.

Remember that a clean history check is positive but does not guarantee perfection. Combine the history check with other assessments, such as a mechanical inspection, to get a complete picture. Do not skip additional checks just because the history check is clean.

Take your time to understand what the report is telling you. Do not rush through it or assume everything is fine. A careful, systematic review helps identify issues and make informed decisions.

For detailed information about specific checks, see the vehicle check guides.