How to check a used car before you buy
We analyse MOT history, mileage patterns, and advert wording to surface red flags — before you waste an afternoon viewing a problem car.
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Enter the plate + paste the advert
Type in the UK registration plate. Add the asking price and paste the full advert text for deeper red-flag analysis — takes 30 seconds, no account needed.
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We fetch official government data
CarVouch pulls DVSA MOT history and DVLA vehicle data, then runs our risk analysis engine and AI model to check for mileage fraud, defect patterns and advert red flags.
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Get your risk report
Within seconds you'll see the risk score, key findings, and an AI summary. Unlock the full report from £4.99 for seller questions, negotiation points and a printable PDF.
What CarVouch checks
MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory, and defect going back years. We flag dangerous defects, quick pass-after-fail patterns, and long MOT gaps.
Mileage consistency
We check for mileage drops, suspicious jumps, zero-mile gaps, and mismatches between the advert and the last MOT.
Advert language
We scan the advert text for red-flag phrases ("cash only", "no test drive", "sold as seen", "logbook to follow") and positive signals.
DVLA vehicle data
We cross-reference the official DVLA record for tax status, MOT status, fuel type, and colour against what the advert claims.
Built on official UK government data
DVSA MOT API
Every MOT test recorded — passes, failures, advisories and defects, going back to the first test.
DVLA Vehicle Data
Official make, model, colour, fuel type, engine size, tax and MOT status from the national register.
AI Risk Analysis
Our AI layers on top of the raw data to detect mileage fraud patterns and advert language red flags that plain data misses.
⚠️ Important — what CarVouch does NOT check
CarVouch is not an HPI check. We do not check outstanding finance, stolen status, insurance write-offs, or legal ownership. We strongly recommend running a full HPI-style vehicle history check before paying any deposit. Read our full disclaimer →
Ready to check a car? It takes 30 seconds and it's free.
Try a free scan →No account needed · Free basic scan · Full AI report from £4.99