Full history check
Is it on finance, stolen or written off? Find out before you buy
Get a full vehicle history report in the Car Check app: outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records, keepers, plate changes and more, powered by Experian.
4.6132 ratings on the App Store- Powered by Experian
- £10,000 data guarantee
- Report in the app
What's included
Everything the free check can't show
The free check covers official DVLA and DVSA records. A full history check adds the data that protects your money.
Outstanding finance
If finance is still owed, the lender may own the car, not the seller.
Stolen
Whether the car is recorded as stolen on the police national computer.
Insurance write-off
Cat A, B, S or N write-off records, with the date of loss where held.
Scrapped
Whether the car has been reported as scrapped.
Imported or exported
Import, non-EU import and export markers.
Previous keepers
How many registered keepers the car has had.
Plate changes
Past registrations, which can reveal a hidden history.
Colour changes
Recorded colour changes, which can point to major repairs.
Salvage auctions
Whether the car has appeared at a salvage auction.
The outstanding finance, stolen, write-off, scrapped, import, export and identity checks are powered by Experian and covered by a £10,000 data guarantee, which doesn't include MOT and tax information. Experian's terms apply.
How it works
Get a report in three steps
- 1
Download the app
Car Check: MOT & Tax Tracker is free on iPhone.
- 2
Enter the reg
Type the number plate or scan it with your camera.
- 3
Buy the report
Choose Buy a Report to see finance, stolen, write-off and more.
Scan with your iPhone camera to download
Why a history check matters
Outstanding finance: on hire purchase and PCP, the finance company owns the car until it's paid off. If a seller hasn't settled it, you could end up in a dispute over the car you paid for.
Write-offs: a Cat S or Cat N car can be legal to drive after repair, but it should be priced accordingly and you need to know about the damage. Read write-off categories explained.
Stolen and cloned cars: criminals can disguise a stolen car with plates copied from a legitimate one. Plate changes and mismatched details are warning signs.
Start with the free car check for MOT, tax and mileage, then run a full history check on the car you're serious about. Our used car buying checklist covers the rest of the viewing.
Full history check questions
Is this the same as an HPI check?
People often say "HPI check" to mean any vehicle history check, although HPI is a separate company. Our full history check covers the same key areas, such as outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records, using data from Experian.
How much does a full history check cost?
It's a one-off in-app purchase for each vehicle, and Car Check Pro subscribers get a discount. You'll see the current price in the app before you buy.
Is there a data guarantee?
The Experian-powered checks come with a £10,000 data guarantee. It applies only to those checks, not to MOT and tax information, and Experian's terms and conditions apply.
Why can't the free check show finance or write-offs?
That data isn't held by DVLA or DVSA. It comes from finance companies, insurers and the police, via providers like Experian, and there's a cost to access it.
Related guides
All guidesUsed Car Buying Checklist: What to Check Before You Buy
Our used car buying checklist covers the key checks before, during and after a viewing: MOT history, V5C, bodywork, test drive, safe payment and your rights.
Read guideCar Write-Off Categories Explained: Cat A, B, S and N
Write-off categories explained: what Cat A, B, S and N mean, whether to buy a Cat S or Cat N car, and how a write-off affects insurance, finance and value.
Read guideHow to Spot a Clocked Car: Signs the Mileage Has Been Wound Back
A clocked car has had its mileage wound back. Learn how to check MOT mileage records, spot the physical signs and what to do if you've bought a clocked car.
Read guide