A pre-purchase used car check has four stages. Check the advert and MOT history before you travel. Check finance, stolen and write-off records before you pay a deposit. Inspect and test-drive the car in person. Then match the V5C logbook and VIN to the car before any money changes hands. This checklist walks through each stage and links to the free checks you can run on a UK registration.
Stage 1: before you view the car (free, about 5 minutes)
Most problem cars can be ruled out from your sofa. Run the number plate through a free car check and read the advert carefully before you arrange a viewing.
- MOT history. Look at every MOT test since 2005: passes, failures, defects and advisories. Repeated advisories for the same item (corrosion, brakes, tyres, suspension) suggest the car has not been maintained. A free MOT history check shows the full timeline.
- Mileage. Compare the advertised mileage with the reading at the last MOT. Mileage should rise between tests. A drop, or a long gap with almost no miles added, needs an explanation. Our mileage check flags these patterns.
- Tax and MOT status. Check the car is taxed or declared SORN, and when the MOT expires. Tax does not transfer to a new keeper, so also check how much road tax the car will cost.
- The advert itself. Phrases such as "logbook to follow", "no time wasters", "engine light is just a sensor" or "MOT will be done" are common warning signs. See our full list of used car red flags.
- Recalls. Check for an outstanding safety recall. Recall work is free at a franchised dealer, but you want to know before you buy.
If the free checks raise questions, ask the seller before you travel. A genuine seller will usually explain an MOT gap or a past failure.
Stage 2: before you pay a deposit (vehicle history check)
The DVLA and DVSA do not record finance, theft or insurance write-offs. Those records sit with commercial databases, so you need a paid vehicle history check before you commit money. A full vehicle history check covers:
- Outstanding finance. If money is still owed on hire purchase, PCP or a logbook loan, the lender may have a claim over the car. Read what outstanding finance is and how to check for it.
- Stolen markers. Whether the car is recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer.
- Write-off category. Whether an insurer has written it off (Cat A, B, S or N). Cat S and Cat N cars can be legally repaired and sold, but the category must be disclosed and affects value and insurance. See our write-off check.
- Keepers, plate changes and import/export markers. A recent plate change or many short ownerships are worth asking about.
The CarVouch Full Vehicle Check costs £9.99 for one car, or less per check in a pack (see CarVouch pricing explained).
Stage 3: at the viewing
View the car in daylight, at the seller's home address or the dealer's premises, and ideally when the engine is cold.
- Seller and address. For a private sale, the name and address on the V5C should match the seller and the place you view the car.
- Bodywork. Look for uneven panel gaps, paint that doesn't match between panels, overspray on rubber seals, and rust on sills and wheel arches.
- Tyres. The legal minimum tread depth for a car is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
- Cold start. Listen for rattles, knocks or a lot of smoke when the engine first starts. Check that all dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition and then go out.
- Service history. Match stamps and invoices against the mileage and the MOT history. Missing years are worth asking about.
- Electrics and equipment. Test windows, locks, air conditioning, lights, wipers and the infotainment screen.
- Test drive. Check the brakes pull up straight, the clutch bites normally, gear changes are smooth, the steering doesn't pull, and there are no knocks over bumps. Make sure you are insured before you drive.
If you are not confident judging the mechanical condition yourself, or the car is expensive, book a pre-purchase car inspection by a mechanic.
Stage 4: paperwork and payment
- VIN. The 17-character VIN on the V5C must match the VIN on the car (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) and the VIN on your history check.
- V5C. Check the document is genuine and not a duplicate issued very recently without a good reason. Remember the V5C shows the registered keeper, not the legal owner.
- Payment. Avoid paying a deposit for a car you haven't seen. Pay by a traceable method, get a written receipt with the registration, VIN, price, date and both parties' details, and keep copies of the advert.
- Tax and insure before you drive away. Use the 11-digit reference on the V5C new keeper slip to tax the car online.
Buying from a dealer gives you more protection: under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, with a short-term right to reject within 30 days. In a private sale the car only has to be as described and the seller must have the right to sell it.
When to walk away
- The seller can't or won't show the V5C, or the details don't match.
- The history check shows outstanding finance and the seller won't settle it before the sale.
- The mileage doesn't add up and there's no paperwork to explain it.
- You're pressured to pay a deposit before viewing or to decide on the spot.
- The car has an undisclosed write-off category.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pre-purchase used car check?
It is the set of checks you do before buying a used car: the advert, MOT and mileage history, tax status, a vehicle history check for finance, theft and write-offs, a physical inspection and test drive, and matching the V5C and VIN. Together they tell you whether the car is legally safe to buy and in the condition the seller claims.
What checks should I do before buying a used car?
At minimum: the full MOT history, a mileage comparison, tax and MOT status, a finance, stolen and write-off check, a careful viewing and test drive, and a VIN and V5C match. For expensive or complex cars, add a professional inspection.
Can I do a pre-purchase car check for free?
Partly. MOT history, mileage readings, tax status, recalls and an AI scan of the advert are free with CarVouch. Finance, stolen and write-off records come from commercial databases, so that part needs a paid check.
How much does a full pre-purchase vehicle check cost?
A CarVouch Full Vehicle Check costs £9.99 for one car, £24.99 for three or £59.99 for ten. Checks never expire and there is no subscription.
Is a pre-purchase check the same as a pre-purchase inspection?
No. A pre-purchase check is mostly about the car's records and paperwork. A pre-purchase inspection is a mechanic physically examining the car's current condition. They answer different questions, and for many cars it's worth doing both.