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AutoCheck Guide

AutoCheck Explained

Buying a used vehicle often involves plenty of research — from choosing the right make and model to finding one that fits your budget. AutoCheck is designed to make this process easier, helping you narrow down your options and giving you greater confidence in the vehicle you ultimately choose.

With AutoCheck, all you need is the vehicle’s registration number. Enter it into the system and you’ll instantly receive a comprehensive history report, giving you the essential information you need before making a purchase.

Your AutoCheck report can reveal:

  • Outstanding finance - whether the vehicle still has an active finance agreement attached.
  • Stolen status - if the vehicle is recorded as stolen.
  • Insurance write-off history - including whether it has been written off and why.
  • Fraud and third-party interest alerts - including whether the vehicle is being traced or linked to potential fraud risk.
  • Full vehicle description - make, model, colour, date of first registration, engine size and number, transmission details, body style and year of manufacture.
  • Previous keepers - how many keepers the vehicle has had before the current one.
  • Mileage information - any recorded mileage history we have received.
  • Colour changes - whether the DVLA has recorded any changes to the vehicle's colour.
  • Registration plate changes - a record of any previous number plates assigned to the vehicle.
  • Import or export status - confirming whether the vehicle has been used outside the UK.
  • Scrapped status - if the DVLA has marked the vehicle as scrapped.
  • Salvage status - whether the vehicle has been through a salvage auction, indicating vehicle damage.
  • MOT history - showing the full history of all MOT's.
  • CO2 emissions - for assessing environmental impact and running costs.
  • Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) - including the tax band and the cost of 12 months' tax.
  • VIN confirmation - verifying the Vehicle Identification Number.

AutoCheck gives you a complete, easy to understand picture of a vehicle’s background, helping you make a safer, more informed buying decision.

How Does This Information Help You?

Buying a used vehicle is a big decision — and without the right information, it can also be a risky one. AutoCheck gives you the insights you need to protect yourself from fraud, financial loss, and unsafe vehicles.

Protect yourself from stolen vehicles

Thousands of vehicles are stolen every year, and some are sold on to unsuspecting buyers. Criminals often rely on the fact that many shoppers don’t carry out checks before purchasing a “bargain” car. If you unknowingly buy a stolen vehicle, the authorities can seize it — and you will lose both the car and your money.

AutoCheck quickly confirms whether a vehicle is recorded as stolen, helping you avoid this costly and stressful situation.

Avoid vehicles with outstanding finance

Around 49% of vehicles* checked on AutoCheck have outstanding finance against them. In these cases, the finance company remains the legal owner until the debt is fully paid. If the seller has not settled the finance — whether intentionally or by mistake — the vehicle can be repossessed, even after you’ve bought it.

AutoCheck highlights any active finance agreement so you can make sure the vehicle is free and clear before you buy.

* Based on web-based AutoChecks between 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026
Identify write offs and understand the severity of past damage

Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are written off by insurers every year. Some suffer only minor cosmetic damage, while others have major structural issues requiring extensive repairs. The resale value of a written off vehicle can be significantly lower, and safety may be compromised if repairs were not carried out properly.

AutoCheck reveals whether a vehicle has been written off, including the category of damage, so you can judge whether it’s suitable for purchase and priced correctly.

Make a safer, more informed decision

Every AutoCheck report is designed to help you spot the red flags that aren’t visible during a viewing or test drive. By confirming a vehicle’s identity, ownership history, condition, and legal status, AutoCheck gives you the confidence to buy with peace of mind.

Don't risk your money or your safety, carry out an AutoCheck before you buy.