When a car history report should make you walk away

If a car history report shows outstanding finance, you should not proceed with the purchase. Outstanding finance means there is an active loan or hire purchase agreement on the vehicle. 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 legal recourse. Even if the seller claims the finance will be settled, do not proceed until you have verified that it has been settled and that the settlement is reflected in official records. Do not take the seller's word for it.

Outstanding finance is a non-negotiable deal-breaker. Do not proceed with the purchase, regardless of how good the deal seems or what the seller says. The risk of repossession is too high.

If a car history report shows the vehicle is currently listed as stolen, you must not proceed with the purchase. Purchasing a stolen vehicle can result in police recovery, loss of the vehicle and your money, and potential legal consequences for handling stolen goods.

You cannot obtain legal ownership of a stolen vehicle, and attempting to insure or register it may have legal consequences. The vehicle will be seized if discovered by authorities, and you may face legal action even if you were unaware the vehicle was stolen.

Stolen status is an absolute deal-breaker. Do not proceed with the purchase under any circumstances. Report the incident to the police if you encounter a stolen vehicle being offered for sale.

If a car history report shows the vehicle is recorded as scrapped or dismantled, you should not proceed with the purchase. Scrapped vehicles should not be on the road and represent a major red flag. They may have been written off, dismantled, or declared unfit for use.

Scrapped vehicles may have serious safety issues, identity problems, or legal restrictions that prevent them from being used on the road. Even if the vehicle appears to be in good condition, scrapped status indicates it should not be purchased.

Scrapped status is a non-negotiable deal-breaker. Do not proceed with the purchase, regardless of how the vehicle looks or what the seller says. Scrapped vehicles should not be on the road.

If a car history report shows the vehicle is a Cat A or Cat B write-off, you should not proceed with the purchase. Cat A and Cat B write-offs must be completely scrapped and cannot be returned to the road under any circumstances. They have been deemed beyond repair and must be destroyed.

Cat A write-offs must be scrapped and their parts cannot be reused. Cat B write-offs must be scrapped, though some parts may be salvaged. Neither category can be returned to the road, regardless of repairs or condition.

Cat A and Cat B write-offs are absolute deal-breakers. Do not proceed with the purchase, even if the vehicle appears to be in good condition. These vehicles cannot legally be returned to the road.

If a car history report shows identity mismatches, where VIN, VRM, make, model, or other identifiers do not match across records, you should not proceed with the purchase. Identity mismatches are serious and can indicate fraud, cloning, or administrative errors.

Identity mismatches suggest the vehicle may not be what it claims to be. This can indicate that the vehicle has been cloned, that identifiers have been tampered with, or that there are serious administrative problems. These issues can affect legality, insurance, and ownership.

Identity mismatches are non-negotiable deal-breakers. Do not proceed with the purchase, regardless of other factors. Identity verification is essential for ensuring the vehicle is legitimate and can be legally owned and insured.

Some findings require caution and investigation but are not necessarily deal-breakers. Cat S and Cat N write-offs can be repaired and returned to the road, but you should verify repairs were completed properly. Significant mileage discrepancies are serious fraud risks but may be investigated further.

Multiple previous owners in a short period may signal problems but is not necessarily a deal-breaker. Recurring MOT advisories may indicate unresolved issues but should be investigated rather than immediately walking away. These findings require careful consideration and may affect your decision or negotiation position.

However, if you are uncertain or uncomfortable with any finding, it is better to walk away than to proceed with doubt. Trust your instincts and do not let pressure from sellers or good deals override your concerns.

If you discover a deal-breaker, be firm and clear that you will not proceed with the purchase. Do not let sellers pressure you into proceeding, offer to "sort it out", or claim the report is wrong. If the report shows a deal-breaker, walk away.

You do not need to explain your decision in detail. Simply state that the history check has revealed an issue that prevents you from proceeding. Do not engage in negotiations or attempts to resolve the issue. Deal-breakers are non-negotiable.

If you encounter a stolen vehicle being offered for sale, report it to the police. Provide them with the vehicle's registration number and details of where and from whom it is being sold. Do not attempt to purchase it or negotiate with the seller.

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