What to check before buying a used car in the UK
Follow this practical checklist to inspect a used car, verify its history and avoid costly problems before you buy.
Our report provides essential information about the vehicle, including its make, model, year of manufacture, body type, fuel type, engine specifications, and transmission. This ensures the car's declared specifications match the actual details, giving you a clear picture of what you're buying.
We check for writeoffs, mileage clocking, and other issues.
Skip countless test drives and wasted hours. Filter through offers efficiently by knowing the vehicle's true condition upfront.
Access the full vehicle history to ensure you're not buying a money pit. Our comprehensive reports uncover hidden issues before they become your problem.
Once you find your dream vehicle, use the detailed information from our report to confidently negotiate a fair and lower price.
Around 350 vehicles are stolen every day in the UK — and nearly 9 in 10 are never recovered.
CBD · 2023-24 · Open Government Licence v3.0Around 560,000 cars are written off by insurers in the UK every year — that's more than one every minute.
CBD · 2023 · Open Government Licence v3.0Over 80% of insurance write-offs — Categories S and N — can legally return to the road after repair.
CBD · 2023 · Open Government Licence v3.01 in 4 used cars sold in the UK has outstanding finance — meaning the lender, not the seller, legally owns it.
CBD · 2024 · Open Government Licence v3.0Around 1 in 7 used cars in the UK shows signs of mileage tampering or identity fraud.
CBD · 2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0Enter the REG and see a detailed report that will help you make a confident decision.
The Check Buy Drive blog
News, stories and practical ideas for buying, checking and owning a car.
Follow this practical checklist to inspect a used car, verify its history and avoid costly problems before you buy.
Learn why outstanding finance matters, what a vehicle history check can reveal, and what to do before paying for a used car.
Compare MOT records, service history and vehicle condition to identify mileage inconsistencies before buying a used car.