The UK used car market turns over 7 million vehicles a year. A significant proportion of those cars have something their seller isn't telling you. According to the RAC, around 1 in 3 used cars checked has some form of adverse history — ranging from minor issues to outright fraud.

A vehicle history check (often called an HPI check, after one of the leading providers) searches multiple national databases and flags any of the following in seconds.

What a Vehicle History Check Covers

Outstanding Finance

The most common and most financially devastating issue. If the previous owner had a car on HP or PCP finance and they sell it to you without telling you — or the finance company — the finance agreement doesn't disappear. The lender still owns a charge over the car, and can repossess it from you even if you are an innocent buyer. You lose the car and your money. A history check flags any outstanding finance immediately.

Stolen Vehicle

Checks against the Police National Computer and DVLA records. If the car is listed as stolen, buying it could result in it being seized by police. You could also face questions about handling stolen goods, even if you bought in good faith.

Written-Off Status (Insurance Category)

Cars written off by insurers are categorised from A to N. Category S and N write-offs can legally be repaired and sold — but only if properly disclosed. Buying a written-off car without knowing means paying market price for a vehicle worth significantly less, and potentially one that isn't structurally safe.

Mileage Discrepancy

Clocking — tampering with a vehicle's odometer — is still widespread. History checks pull mileage from MOT records, service records, and DVLA data, plotting the car's mileage over time. A sudden drop is a clear red flag.

Number Plate Changes

Legitimate plate changes happen for personal plates. But plate changes can also be used to disguise a stolen car's identity (called "ringing"). A history check shows all registration numbers ever associated with a VIN.

Which Check Should You Use?

The main providers in the UK are HPI Check, AutoTrader Car History Check, RAC Car History Check, and AA Car History Check. Most cost between £9.99 and £19.99 for a full report. They access broadly the same databases, so the cheapest full check from a reputable provider is fine. Avoid free "checks" that only cover DVLA data — they miss the finance database entirely.

Free Checks Worth Running First

Before spending anything, run these free checks:

  • DVLA MOT history: check-mot.service.gov.uk — shows all MOTs, mileage at each test, and any advisories or failures.
  • Tax and MOT status: vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk — confirms current tax and MOT expiry, registered colour, and engine size.
  • Written off check (free summary): Some providers offer a partial check for free that confirms whether a car appears on the write-off register.

Red Flags When Viewing a Car

No check replaces an in-person inspection. Look for:

  • Mismatched paint panels (sign of previous bodywork)
  • Uneven panel gaps (sign of structural repair)
  • The VIN plate — check it's present, stamped into the metal (not a sticker), and matches the V5C logbook
  • A seller unwilling to let you take the car for an independent inspection
  • A V5C that doesn't match the seller's address, or looks altered

What to Do if the Check Reveals a Problem

Walk away. Politely, without confrontation — but walk away. If the car has outstanding finance and the seller insists it's fine, they're either lying or genuinely unaware — neither scenario protects you legally. The only safe course of action is to not complete the purchase until the finance is formally settled and confirmed cleared by the lender in writing.

A £9.99 check on a £12,000 car is the most cost-effective insurance in motoring. Run it every time, without exception.