Used car check
before buying.
See finance, write-offs, theft markers, mileage and MOT history in one £15 report, before you hand over any money.
Included in your report:
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off records
- Stolen status
- Mileage issues
- MOT history
- Previous keepers
Example used car section
See the used car summary before you buy.
This is how the key checks appear in your report: finance, write-off, theft and mileage, each with a clear status so you can see where a car stands at a glance.
Report summary
The key checks at a glance
Example data shown. Your report will show the recorded used car history for the reg you check.
What a used car check helps you spot.
A clean-looking car can still carry risks you cannot see on a test drive. The report brings the checks that matter most together so you know what you are buying.
Finance still owed
Spot active finance against the reg before you pay for a car that is not the seller's to sell.
Write-off or theft markers
See recorded write-off categories and police stolen markers against the vehicle.
Mileage and MOT issues
Compare MOT mileage over time to catch drops, gaps or inconsistencies.
Before you buy
The risks hiding in every used car sale.
Most used cars look fine on the surface. Appearance does not tell you whether there is still finance owed, whether the car was written off and repaired, or whether the mileage has been wound back. The reliable way to know is a full car history check before you commit your money.
Financial risk
Outstanding finance means a lender may still have a legal claim on the vehicle. If the previous owner defaults, the car could be repossessed, even after you have paid for it.
Damage history
Insurance write-offs run from structural damage (Cat A and B) through to repairable vehicles (Cat S and N). A marker permanently affects resale value and can signal problems a test drive will not reveal.
Mileage integrity
MOT tests record the odometer reading each year. Comparing those readings over time can expose drops, gaps or patterns that suggest tampering, something the dashboard alone will never tell you.
Ownership context
The number of previous keepers and how long each held the car can reveal useful patterns. Four owners in two years tells a different story to one long-term keeper.
Three situations where a check changes the outcome.
A well-priced car on Facebook Marketplace turns out to be a Cat S write-off the listing never mentioned. A friendly independent dealer is selling a car with outstanding finance they may not know about. A seller pressures you for a deposit today to stop you doing your homework. In each case, running a check before you buy takes minutes and costs a fraction of what you are about to spend.
Check a used car now
See what the listing doesn't tell you.
Enter the registration to uncover finance, write-offs, theft markers and mileage history before you arrange a viewing or pay a deposit.
- Instant results
- All checks included
- £30,000 data guarantee
What the report tells you.
A Carpeep report pulls the key risk areas into one clear document. A summary at the top highlights anything that needs your attention, followed by detailed sections on finance, theft, write-offs, mileage, MOT history, ownership and vehicle identity. For roadworthiness specifics, Carpeep also offers a free MOT check.
Outstanding finance
Flags any active agreement against the reg, including HP, PCP and conditional sale. A car still on finance is not the seller's to sell outright.
Write-off and theft markers
See recorded insurance write-off categories (Cat A, B, S, N) and whether the vehicle appears on police stolen records.
Mileage and MOT history
Full MOT pass and fail history with the mileage recorded at each test, so you can check the odometer tells a consistent story.
Ownership and identity
Number of previous keepers, how long each held the car, plus VIN and registration cross-references to flag identity mismatches.
Shortlist with facts
A smarter way to shortlist used cars.
If you are comparing several vehicles, running a check on each one lets you shortlist based on facts rather than gut feeling. You can rule out cars with hidden problems before spending time on viewings and test drives.
The goal is not to be paranoid. It is to be prepared. The few minutes it takes to run a report could save you from inheriting someone else's financial problem, buying a car worth far less than you paid, or missing warning signs that were there all along.
When to run a used car check.
Run the check before you pay a deposit, transfer money or travel to view the car. Checking early means you can walk away without losing anything if a problem shows up, whether the car is on AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or a dealer forecourt.
Where our data comes from.
Always from official records. We do not create, edit or estimate any data.
DVLA
Registration, keeper history, import/export status and vehicle specifications.
DVSA
Full MOT test history including results, advisories and mileage at each test.
Insurance industry records
Write-off markers (Cat A, B, S and N) recorded by insurers following total loss assessments.
UK finance lenders
Outstanding finance agreements including HP, PCP and conditional sale records.
Police stolen vehicle records
Stolen vehicle markers from UK police databases, checked against the registration and VIN.
Vehicle identity checks
VIN and registration cross-referenced to flag plate changes, cloning or identity mismatches.
Used Car Check FAQs
When should I check a used car?
Before you pay a deposit or hand over any money. Running a check early means you can walk away without losing anything if a problem shows up.
Does a used car check cover mileage?
Yes. The report includes MOT mileage readings recorded over time, so you can see whether the odometer tells a consistent story or shows signs of tampering.
Can I check a car listed on AutoTrader or Facebook Marketplace?
Yes. As long as you have the registration number, you can check any UK-registered vehicle, whether it's a car, a van, or an electric vehicle, regardless of where it's listed: AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay Motors, or a dealer forecourt.
What's the difference between a used car check and a free MOT check?
A free MOT check tells you about a vehicle's roadworthiness test history, including pass/fail results, advisories and mileage at each test. A full used car check goes much further, covering outstanding finance, stolen vehicle records, insurance write-off history, ownership details and vehicle identity checks.
How do I know if the report is reliable?
Carpeep reports are backed by a £30,000 data guarantee, giving you financial protection if the data provided turns out to be incorrect. The report draws from official and industry-standard data sources used across the UK motor trade.
Check a car before you buy
Don't buy a car you haven't checked.
Enter the reg and see what the seller isn't telling you, before you hand over the money.
- Full vehicle history
- No account required
- £30,000 data guarantee