Car history check: MOT history, mileage, write-off & finance in one report
Before you buy a used car, run a proper car history check. Automano cross-references DVLA and the official MOT record for full MOT history, a mileage check, write-off categories (Cat S/N), stolen-vehicle and outstanding-finance flags — in one report for £5.90, instead of a £9.99–£19.99 HPI-style check. Decode any VIN or number plate free first.
MOT history and DVLA vehicle data are official sources. Pricing and coverage current as of June 2026.
Free
VIN + reg decoder, unlimited
MOT
Full history + mileage check
£5.90
Full report (vs £9.99–£19.99)
What is a car history check — and what should it show?
A car history check pulls together everything the paperwork alone won’t tell you about a used car: its full MOT history (every pass, fail, advisory and the mileage recorded at each test), whether the recorded mileage is consistent or shows a possible clock, whether it has ever been written off (Cat S structural or Cat N non-structural, plus historic Cat A/B), whether it is recorded as stolen, and whether there is outstanding finance against it. For a UK car you can start free: the official MOT history check and DVLA vehicle enquiry are government services and cost nothing — the value of a paid report is having those sources plus write-off, stolen and finance data cross-referenced in one place.
That is exactly what Automano does. Enter a VIN or number plate and the free decoder confirms the make, model, factory spec and MOT/tax status instantly. For the car you are serious about, the £5.90 report adds a full MOT history and mileage check, write-off categories, stolen-vehicle and outstanding-finance flags and manufacturer recall cross-checks — the same core data a £19.99 HPI-style check sells, for a third of the price. One honest limit: we do not carry an insurance-style data-accuracy guarantee, so for a high-value trade purchase a guaranteed HPI report may still suit; for a private buyer checking a car on Autotrader or Facebook Marketplace, £5.90 covers the decision.
A £5.90 car history check vs a £9.99–£19.99 paid check
a paid HPI-style check:
£9.99 — £19.99 per check
Automano:
£5.90 full report
A £5.90 car history check vs a £9.99–£19.99 paid check
| What you want to know | Automano (£5.90) | Paid HPI-style check |
|---|---|---|
Full MOT history (passes, fails, advisories) | Yes — full MOT history in the report | Full tier only, or you check DVSA separately |
Mileage check (clocking / discrepancies) | Yes — mileage cross-checked against MOT records | Full tier (£19.99) |
Write-off (Cat S / Cat N / historic A/B) | Included in the £5.90 report | Full tier only |
Stolen-vehicle flag | Included in the £5.90 report | Full tier only |
Outstanding finance | Included in the £5.90 report | Full tier only |
Free VIN + number-plate decoder | Yes, unlimited and no signup | No — every lookup is paid |
Manufacturer + EU recall cross-check | Yes — NHTSA + EU Safety Gate recalls | Rarely surfaced |
Price for a single full report | £5.90 (more than 65% cheaper) | £9.99 basic / £19.99 full |
How to run a car history check the smart way
Do the free government checks first, then buy one cheap cross-referenced report for the car you actually want. You get the same core answers without paying £19.99 per car.
1. Decode the reg or VIN (free)
Enter the number plate or VIN into the free decoder to confirm make, model, engine and factory spec match the advert, and to see current MOT and tax status. If the details don’t line up, that’s an early red flag — and it costs nothing.
2. Read the full MOT history + mileage
The MOT record is the single richest free source on a UK car: every test, every advisory, and the mileage logged each year. A mileage that jumps around or drops between tests is the classic clocking signal. Automano pulls the full MOT history and flags mileage inconsistencies for you.
3. Check write-off, stolen and finance
These are the deal-breakers a test drive won’t reveal: whether the car was written off (Cat S/N), is recorded stolen, or still has money owed on it. The £5.90 report cross-references all three so you don’t buy someone else’s problem.
4. One report, not a £19.99 habit
If you’re comparing three or four cars, paying £19.99 each for a full HPI-style check adds up fast. Screen the shortlist free, then run the £5.90 report only on the car you’re about to buy.
Car history check — frequently asked questions
How do I do a full car history check?
Start free: decode the number plate or VIN to confirm the car matches its advert and to see MOT and tax status, then read the full MOT history (available free from the official DVSA service) to check for failures, advisories and mileage discrepancies. For write-off, stolen and outstanding-finance data — which aren’t in the free tools — run a paid report. Automano cross-references all of it, including a full MOT history and mileage check, in one £5.90 report.
Is there a free MOT history check?
Yes. The official MOT history service is a free government tool that shows every test result, advisory and the mileage recorded at each MOT for any UK car. Automano pulls that same MOT history into its report and cross-references it with mileage, write-off, stolen and finance data so you don’t have to check several sites separately.
How can I check a car’s mileage for clocking?
Compare the mileage recorded at each MOT test over the years: a genuine car’s mileage should rise steadily. If it drops between two tests, jumps unusually, or doesn’t match the car’s age and condition, the odometer may have been wound back. Automano’s report lists the mileage from each MOT and flags inconsistencies so a possible clock is easy to spot.
What is the difference between Cat S and Cat N?
Both are insurance write-off categories for cars deemed uneconomical to repair. Cat S (structural) means the chassis or a structural part was damaged and repaired; Cat N (non-structural) means the damage was cosmetic or electrical, not to the core structure. A repaired Cat S or Cat N car can be legal to drive but is worth notably less and should be professionally inspected. Automano’s £5.90 report flags Cat S, Cat N and historic Cat A/B write-offs.
Do I really need a paid car history check?
For the free stuff, no — the MOT history and DVLA vehicle enquiry cover a lot at zero cost, and you should always use them. A paid report earns its keep for the data those free tools don’t hold: write-off categories, stolen-vehicle records and outstanding finance. Automano bundles the free MOT/DVLA data with those paid data sources for £5.90, versus £9.99–£19.99 for a traditional HPI-style check.
How is Automano cheaper than an HPI check?
The underlying data — DVLA, MOT, write-off, stolen and finance registers — is licensed by many providers, not owned by any one brand. Automano sells direct to the private buyer, skips the insurance-style data-accuracy guarantee that HPI bundles in, and adds a free unlimited VIN/reg decoder. That’s how the full report lands at £5.90 while covering the same core checks.
What does the Automano car history check not cover?
It doesn’t include a £30,000-style data-accuracy guarantee, damage photos, or a full North-American title/accident history. It focuses on UK-relevant data: full MOT history, mileage checks, write-off categories, stolen and finance flags, plus manufacturer and EU recall cross-checks. For a guaranteed trade-grade dossier a paid HPI report may suit; for a private purchase, the £5.90 report covers the decision.
More free car checks
Run another instant check before you buy — history, stolen, write-off and more.
Run a full car history check for £5.90
Free VIN and number-plate decoder, full MOT history, mileage check, write-off, stolen and finance flags — everything you’d get from a £19.99 HPI-style check for a third of the price.