Check a Used Car: Complete Pre-Purchase Guide
40% of used cars have hidden damage. Follow our 15-point checklist to avoid scams and buy with confidence.
40%
Have hidden damage
£2,100
Avg. cost of hidden defects
15
Points to check
15 essential points to check
Before signing, go through each point on this checklist. A single missed issue can cost thousands of pounds.
Documents
1. V5C logbook
Check the V5C registration certificate is in the seller's name. The V5C holder isn't necessarily the legal owner, but discrepancies are a red flag. Verify the document reference number with DVLA.
2. MOT history
Check the full MOT history for free at gov.uk. Look at mileage readings across tests to spot clocking. Note advisory items and recurring failures, they reveal ongoing issues.
3. Service booklet
A maintained service booklet with garage stamps is a sign of good maintenance. No booklet = be cautious.
Exterior
4. Body condition
Inspect each panel under raking light. Look for scratches, dents, rust, and especially repainted areas (accident indicator).
5. Panel alignment
Uneven gaps between body panels indicate an accident with part replacement or straightening.
6. Tire condition
Check wear (indicator at 1.6mm), manufacture date (DOT code), and especially asymmetric wear indicating alignment issues.
7. Lights and glass
Test all lights, indicators, and windscreen. A cracked windscreen can cause an MOT failure.
Interior
8. Dashboard
With the engine running, check no warning lights stay on. Engine, ABS, airbag, or power steering lights signal costly issues.
9. Seats and interior
Interior wear should match the stated mileage. A heavily worn interior with low mileage is suspicious.
10. Air conditioning
Test hot and cold. An aircon regas costs £50-80, a failed compressor £400-900.
Mechanical
11. Cold engine noise
Start the engine cold. Knocking or whistling can indicate timing belt, turbo, or pump problems.
12. Test drive
Test in city, highway, and motorway conditions. Check steering, braking, gearbox, and suspension noises.
Digital checks
13. VIN verification
Decode the VIN number to confirm the vehicle's characteristics and verify it's not stolen or encumbered.
14. MOT and DVLA check
Use the free GOV.UK MOT checker to view test history, mileage records, and advisory notices. Also run a DVLA vehicle enquiry to confirm tax, MOT status, and registration details.
15. Automano VIN report
Check the VIN with Automano for complete vehicle history, real price estimate, and an Automano Score out of 100.
GOV.UK MOT checker: the free government tool
The GOV.UK MOT history checker is a free service from the DVSA. Enter a registration number to see the full MOT test history for any vehicle registered in the UK.
What the MOT checker provides
Full MOT test history with pass/fail results • Mileage recorded at each MOT test • Advisory notices and failure reasons • MOT expiry date • Test location
MOT checker limitations
No outstanding finance checks • No insurance write-off history (Cat S/N) • No stolen vehicle checks • No private plate history • Does not cover vehicles imported from outside the UK
Automano complements the MOT checker with international VIN verification, market price estimation, write-off and incident history, and a detailed PDF report with Automano Score out of 100.
Most common scams
Knowing the classic scams helps you spot and avoid them.
Odometer fraud
Clocking (odometer tampering) affects an estimated 2.5 million cars on UK roads. Cross-reference mileage at each MOT test via GOV.UK. Interior wear that doesn't match stated mileage is a red flag.
Hidden accident
Partial repaint, misaligned panels, filler traces. The Automano VIN report reveals declared incidents and damage in the vehicle's history.
Stolen or encumbered vehicle
A car with outstanding finance cannot be legally sold. The finance company owns the vehicle until the loan is cleared. Run an HPI check or use the Automano VIN report to uncover hidden finance.
Category S/N write-offs
Insurance write-offs (Cat S, Cat N) may have been repaired to poor standards. Sellers aren't required to disclose write-off status. Always check via an HPI or Automano VIN report before buying.
Our vehicle verification tools
Use our free and paid tools for a complete pre-purchase check.
Free VIN decoder
Identify the manufacturer, country, and year from the VIN number.
Free Car Value
Compare book value with our market-based estimate from real listings.
Free estimation
Know a vehicle's market value in 30 seconds.
Car Diagnostics
Request an OBD2 diagnostic before buying. Warning lights often hide costly repairs.
Used Car Verification FAQ
How do I check a car's MOT history for free?
Go to gov.uk/check-mot-history and enter the registration number. You can see every MOT result, mileage readings, advisories, and failures. It's completely free and covers all UK-registered vehicles.
How to detect a tampered odometer?
Compare the mileage with pedal, steering wheel, and seat wear. Check history via VIN (inspections, maintenance). Suspiciously low mileage for the vehicle's age is a red flag.
How to spot a repaint?
Look under raking light: color differences between panels, dust in paint, imperfect joint masking. The VIN report may reveal declared incidents, but visual inspection remains essential for cosmetic damage.
Should I always get a mechanic check?
Yes, always get an independent inspection for mechanical aspects (engine, gearbox, suspension). The AA and RAC offer pre-purchase inspections from £150. The Automano VIN report covers history and pricing, but nothing replaces a hands-on mechanical check for cars over 5 years or 60,000 miles.
How do I check an imported car?
The VIN is essential for imports. Automano checks history across major European countries. Be cautious with ex-EU vehicles (different safety standards) and Japanese grey imports (may lack UK type approval). All imports need an IVA test.
What are the best free car check sites in the UK?
GOV.UK MOT checker (free MOT history and mileage), DVLA vehicle enquiry (free tax and MOT status), Automano VIN decoder (free unlimited identification). For complete history with price estimate, the Automano VIN report costs £7.90.
Ready to check your next car?
Check any vehicle by its VIN number. Complete history, Automano Score out of 100, price estimate, and alerts on hidden issues.